What is hyperrealism?

Hyper-realism aims to create artwork that appears photographic, but with textures and details that appear to reflect light as the subject would in reality.

Accessible to both beginners and more seasoned artists looking to expand their skillset and take a different approach to portraiture. Explore a wide range of methods and techniques explained in basic terms.

Course Content

This course is accessible to both beginner artists, and more seasoned artists looking to expand their skillset and take a different approach to portraiture.

We will begin from a reference photograph using a simple grid to draw a perfectly proportioned sketch. From there we will build up complex colours, use a blender to create a rich finish, glaze over the image to add more complexity among many other techniques.

We will also look at how to simplify the drawing of hair at the start, but building up incredible detail over time. This is a full end to end course, including adding a background to enhance the subject and create a photorealistic effect with finishing touches.

  • Layering techniques

  • Blending and glazing techniques

  • Adding details and textures to mimic real human skin

  • breaking up the hair into individual locks

This course features over 3 hours of video lessons. Students will have the opportunity to get personalised feedback from Dave at key points in the process by submitting work in progress from the early stages right through to completion.

Getting started

  • Credits

  • Welcome to my course

  • Steps covered in this course

  • Portrait starter palette

  • Reference image and grid

  • Timelapse of portrait stages

Initial drawing and shading

  • Create grid and add main shaded areas

  • Adding more layers to create complex colors

  • Creating the main features

  • Submit your work in progress

Completing the face

  • Adding color and detail to the lips

  • Enriching the shadows

  • Blending

  • Submit your work in progress

  • Glazing

  • Adding details and textures to the skin

  • Submit your work in progress

Hair and background

  • Bonus hair tutorial

  • Hair assignment

  • Hair

  • Background

  • Submit you finished work