Tribe Verified

Live Alla Prima Portrait Sessions

byJuhi KumarShips original artwork across IndiaStarts from₹3,000 Per ArtworkView full gallery

Capturing a likeness in a single sitting requires focus and speed. These alla prima portraits are painted live, usually over 3 to 5 hours, focusing entirely on the interplay of light and shadow on the face.

A close-up of my finished oil portrait of Satyam. This 9x12 inch piece was painted 'alla prima' in a single 4-5 hour session. I focused on capturing the strong shadows and his thoughtful expression.

The final setup from my live portrait session with Satyam. You can see the finished 9x12 inch oil on linen painting on the easel next to him. It's always a great feeling to see the work and the model side by side.

Here is Satyam with all the portraits created by our artist group during the live session. It's amazing to see so many different interpretations of the same person. Painting together is a great learning experience for me.

This shows the initial sketch and block-in for Satyam's portrait. I started by mapping out the main shapes and shadows in oil on a 9x12 linen canvas. At first, I also sketched the skull but decided to focus only on the portrait to finish on time.

The portrait of Satyam in progress. Here, I've started to build up the colors and values, focusing on the structure of his face. This stage is all about establishing the light and form.

Another view of the portrait of Satyam on the easel, with him posing in the background. This shows the painting midway through the session, as the forms and colors start to come together.

A close-up of my finished oil portrait of Mirra. This was painted over five and a half hours. Her lively presence and continuous smile made the session so enjoyable.

The beginning of my live session with Mirra. This is the initial drawing on the 9x12 inch oil on linen canvas, with Mirra posing in the background.

The underpainting stage for Mirra's portrait. I've established the basic shapes and dark tones before adding color. This is a crucial step in building a strong foundation for an oil portrait.

The finished portrait of Mirra, seen from a slight angle on the easel. This 9x12 inch oil on linen piece was a joy to create.

About The Art of the Portrait: Live Alla Prima Sessions

When I paint these live, I work with the wet-on-wet technique, meaning the entire portrait is completed in one session of 3 to 5 hours. This creates an energy and immediacy that is hard to capture in studio-based work, though it means I cannot go back and rework areas once the paint has dried.

Featured at IWS Olympiart and exhibitions — Approved by the tribe
J

Juhi Kumar

Ships original artwork across IndiaStarts from ₹3,000 Per Artwork

I am a Delhi-based artist who believes painting is about capturing small, honest moments. I live for the challenge of live portrait sessions, where I work with oils to catch a person's expression in real-time. Whether it is a solo session or painting with my artist group, I enjoy the raw, unfiltered energy of creating something entirely from life.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe

The finished color version of the 'Dewdrops' portrait. My focus was on capturing the child's curious gaze as they look through the rain-streaked window, with the city lights creating a soft, colorful bokeh effect in the background.8
This is a grayscale study for the 'Dewdrops' painting. Working in monochrome allows me to focus entirely on light, shadow, and form, ensuring the composition has depth and impact before I introduce color.
A close-up from the 'Dewdrops' painting in progress. Capturing the photorealistic water drops requires careful attention to how each droplet reflects and refracts the light and the image behind it.
A macro view of the eye in the 'Dewdrops' portrait. The challenge here is to paint the illusion of a wet surface over the detailed portrait, making the eye appear both clear and partially obscured.

Lifelike Custom Portraits: Hand-Painted Art for Your Home

T
TejeshVisit Art Studio in Gubbalala; Ships across India
11
Titled "रापण," this is an oil on canvas portrait painted from a live sitting. The goal was to capture a quiet, everyday moment of reading and contemplation.
A portrait sketch in oil, focusing on the play of light and shadow on the face. This kind of study is essential for building form and character in a commissioned portrait.
An oil portrait study done on mount board. I pay close attention to getting the likeness just right, ensuring the final commissioned piece truly reflects the person.

Custom Hand-Painted Oil and Acrylic Portraits

S
Sanket ThoratShips across India
A formal commissioned portrait of a gentleman, painted with oil on linen. The goal was to create a dignified and warm representation, paying close attention to the likeness and the friendly expression.6
This is a commissioned couple's portrait, set against a subtle mountain landscape. I worked with oil on linen to capture the relationship and shared moment between the two individuals.
A commissioned portrait of a woman in a traditional red saree. The oil on linen medium allowed me to render the details of her attire and the warmth of her expression with depth and clarity.
This modern portrait of a young man was a commission. I focused on capturing a contemporary feel and a contemplative mood, using oil on linen to build up the tones and textures of the piece.

Custom Oil and Charcoal Portraits

A
Abhijeet PatoleConsult online, ships artwork across India
A completed individual portrait commissioned from a photograph. I concentrated on achieving a photorealistic quality while maintaining the richness and texture that only a physical painting can provide.10
This formal portrait of a woman in a saree was painted with acrylic on canvas. The subtle lighting and serene expression were key elements in capturing the subject's dignified presence.
A close-up portrait where the focus is entirely on the subject's face. My process involves carefully blending acrylics to create smooth skin tones and capture the light in her eyes.
A detailed facial portrait. Every brushstroke is intended to contribute to the subject's likeness and the overall mood of the piece, resulting in a personalized artwork that will last for generations.

Individual Portraits on Canvas

P
Pratap BadtyaShips across India; Local delivery in Mumbai and Bhubaneswar
The finished oil portrait right next to the model. This shows how we translate a live subject onto the canvas, focusing on capturing both likeness and mood. This is a key skill I teach in my portraiture workshops.8
This is the underpainting stage, or the 'grisaille,' for a portrait. I always start with a monochrome layer to establish the light and shadow before adding any color. It's a foundational technique for creating depth.
A close-up of the finished portrait, showing the subtle blending of colors on the skin and the texture of the background. Learning to handle oil paints to create these effects is a focus of my advanced classes.
Another angle of the completed portrait, highlighting the structure of the face and the thoughtful expression.

Portrait Painting & Figure Studies

A
Anjali MittalOnline worldwide; In-person workshops across NCR
A portrait study focusing on the hatching technique to create form and shadow. Notice how the direction of the lines helps define the structure of the face and the flow of the hair.6
My completed master study of "A Girl With A Pearl Earring." Recreating classic paintings is a core part of learning, and this piece was an exercise in understanding soft light and subtle expression using graphite pencils.
A finished study of the philosopher Immanuel Kant, done with willow charcoal. This medium is great for creating deep shadows and a dramatic mood, allowing for a more expressive style of portraiture.
A self-portrait sketch. This was a personal piece where I used simple blocking to establish the basic shapes and then added detail with cross-hatching, a fundamental skill for any budding portrait artist.

Handmade Portrait Sketches and Techniques

T
Tarun KumarOnline classes and in-person workshops across Delhi NCR

More from Original Art for Sale by Juhi Kumar

FeaturedCapturing the Human Form: Figure StudiesDelhi, My Muse: Urban SketchesPostcards from Italy: Watercolors and OilsLandscapes of India: From Konkan Greens to Varanasi GhatsMy Creative Space & ProcessSharing My Art: Exhibitions & Community

More services by Juhi Kumar

Commissioned Paintings
  1. Home
  2. Juhi Kumar
  3. Original Art for Sale
  4. The Art of the Portrait: Live Alla Prima Sessions