Portraits
What portraits are, the history of portraiture, a story of how facial features become art
What can a single picture say about a person?
More than you think. A portrait is not just a face on a canvas or a photo in an album - it is a window into a personality, a zeitgeist, a story. From the oil paintings of kings to the pencil sketches of children, from selfies to surrealist interpretations, the portrait has always been a way to both capture and shape our self-image.
But how do you actually create a real portrait? What is it that distinguishes a work of art from a simple depiction? And how can you be immortalised in colour, shape or as a sketch - in a classic or unique way?
In this article, I, portrait artist Johannes Nygren, will guide you into the world of portraiture - a world where art, identity and emotion meet. Welcome to the world!
What is a portrait?
A common definition of portraiture is: the depiction, portrayal or description of a specific person or individual by reproducing their individual features. Portraits are usually created as a portrait photograph, portrait painting, portrait drawing, portrait painting or as a written depiction in the form of a written portrait. Other art forms and expressions can also be used to create a portrait - for example, portrait film, dance portraits, portrait sculpture, carved portraits, etc.
But what is the main ingredient of a portrait? Firstly, the portrait needs to have a subject - a person or individual. It can even be an entity, a being or an idea, but most commonly the portrait focuses on the human. The other important part is that portraiture is about depicting, portraying and describing character traits. You, me and everyone else around us have these individual traits - what distinguishes us and makes us stand out from the crowd. We define ourselves in our encounters with others; the differences we see in our surroundings are perhaps what makes images of other individuals, people and animals so fascinating.
It is these characteristics that portrait painters, portraitists and photographers work with - telling the story of the individual by discovering, exploring, depicting, emphasising and sometimes hiding different parts of what makes the individual unique. The tension between the exact and truthful, and on the other hand the abstract and constructed, has always characterised portraiture.
Is it beautiful? Is it likable? Is it credible? Is it true? Is it interesting? What does the portrait say?
As a buyer, commissioner and viewer of a portrait, you have the freedom of interpretation and opinion. Just as we unconsciously judge each other's faces, it is difficult to remain indifferent to a portrait.
History portraits
Creating a portrait, whether through images, text, film, photography or other forms of creative expression, has been part of art for a long time. The art of portraiture has a rich and multifaceted history spanning thousands of years. As far back as ancient Egypt, between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, realistic mummy portraits were created to honour and preserve the memory of the deceased.
In the Middle Ages, religious subjects dominated art, and portraits of individuals were rare. It was only during the Renaissance that portraiture flourished, particularly in Italy and the Netherlands, where artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Jan van Eyck created detailed and realistic depictions of their patrons.
In the 19th century, with the rise of industrialisation, art materials became more accessible, allowing a wider audience to commission portraits. At the same time, artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin began to explore new ways of expressing subjectivity and emotion in their portraits.
The emergence of photography in the 19th century changed portraiture considerably, but painted portraits retained their importance by offering artistic interpretations beyond the realism of photography. Today, portraiture continues to evolve, with artists experimenting more than ever with different media and techniques to explore identity and human expression.
Portrait painter
A good portrait painter is characterised by his or her ability to look beyond the exterior and convey the inner essence of the individual. It's not just about reproducing physical features, but about capturing a personality, a temperament - perhaps even a life story - in a single moment.
Portrait painters often have a well-developed eye for detail: how light falls across cheekbones, how a hand is held, or which gaze reveals something deeper. Technically, this requires a strong understanding of anatomy, colour and composition, but also an intuitive sense of the person behind the face. Many of the greatest portrait painters have also had a particular gift for storytelling - where each brushstroke contributes to a greater whole, like a visual biography.
Hire someone to create portraits
JNArt creates painted and drawn portraits to order and is the obvious choice for those who prefer craftsmanship at a reasonable price. Good treatment, safe ordering procedure, hundreds of satisfied customers and personalised portraits full of life is what JNArt offers all who order.
Portraiture as an art form
A portrait can be likened to an orchestra that is constantly playing, year after year. Every single brush stroke, line or choice of light and shadow is there, ready to influence the viewer at every moment. There is something special about portraits, they speak to the human within us, not only because they are portraits of people, but because they speak of a relationship. Relationships with ourselves, our social environment or the individuals we have in our neighbourhood can take on different expressions through the portrait artist's interpretations. Is it beauty we encounter? Do I recognise myself and the person I see? Do I look at the portrait to remember? There are infinite meanings that can be interpreted and needs that can be met. The portrait is no longer just a mirror of reality, but also a reflection of our times, our inner worlds and the changing norms that govern the way we understand ourselves and others. Today, we see an explosion of different styles and techniques - from hyperrealism to abstraction, from photorealistic paintings to digital portraits. Perhaps this is also a sign of our times, where the individual often takes centre stage.Â
Portraiture as an art form has also become a place to talk about social issues. By depicting marginalised groups, challenging gender roles or playing with ethnicity, artists can create works that both reflect and question societal norms and structures. Many portraits today are not about idealisation, but about showing diversity, human imperfection and vulnerability. Portraits can be both political and personal, a way to document and comment on contemporary issues.
Another approach to portraiture as an art form can be as a resistance to the fast-paced, throwaway culture of our time. The well-crafted and slow is allowed to take time in a portrait commission, where a portrait artist takes his time and uses his expertise to practice his craft. In a digital age where selfies and filters rule the way we show ourselves, artistic portraits can be a way to let go of control. No longer are you in control of your image, but someone else takes up the brush or pen to show you off. They remind us that there is more to an image than a surface, that real humanity is about complexity, expression and authentic emotion. Today, artists create portraits that not only look at us, but also illuminate different parts of being.
Examples of symbolism in portraits - what does the image reveal?
Symbolism in portraiture is a specialised field. For hundreds of years, artists have tried to tell the story of the subject by adding symbolism. Sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously, but it is not uncommon for symbolism to take on a life of its own in art critics' and viewers' perceptions of portraits. Here are some examples of how artists have used symbolism in their work and how you too can add symbolism if you commission a portrait.
Animals
Clothing and accessories
Objects
Environment and background
Gestures and body language
Plants and flowers
Architecture and objects
Light and shadows
Eyes and gaze
Time and transience (Vanitas symbolism)
Moral and religious symbolism
- Colour choice, rhythm, composition, design
- Issues to be addressed
- Focus in the picture
- If other things take centre stage
- The unspoken about what the subject wants to be seen
- History or image of the subject
- The interaction of technology with the portrait
- Nudity - bare face, or hidden
- First impressions
- Richness of detail
- Authentic, personalised, professional
- Kinship, family coat of arms, heraldry
Different types of portraits
What's special about pencil portraits, and how to commission a portrait drawn with pencils.
For those who want to order a portrait in oil, or want to know more about what it is.Â
Digital portraits
Learn about the different types of digital portraits and how to order.
Abstract portraits
Learn how to frame your portrait
Classic examples of portraits in art
There are several reasons why certain portraits have become famous and have become part of our common cultural heritage. Here are three of the most important reasons:
1. the subject of the portrait - the person behind the face
Portraits of historically influential people (e.g. royalty, artists, philosophers) often become timeless because they represent something bigger than just a face - they symbolise power, ideas or an era.
2. cultural or emotional resonance
Portraits that capture human emotion, the spirit of the times or tell a story we can relate to are often remembered. They create an emotional connection, even centuries later. A portrait can say something about identity, loneliness, strength or vulnerability - and thus speak to us over time.
3. the artist's style and technical skill
When portraits combine exceptional technique, composition and innovation - such as the use of light, shadow or perspective - they stand out. Some artists also have their own styles that make their work unique and easily recognisable.
Mona Lisa - Leonardo Da Vinc
The painting became famous not only for its technique, but also for the mystery surrounding the woman depicted and the status of Leonado Da Vinci as a painter.
American Gothic - Grant Wood
It became known for its symbolism of rural America, traditional values and its open interpretation - both in celebration and critique.
The harvest god Vertumnus - Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Creating portraits of fruits was completely pioneering and unique when it was done in 1590.Â
Information on different types of portrait orders
Learn how to create portraits
Are you looking to learn how to paint or draw your own portraits? Here, portrait artist Johannes Nygren provides tips on resources and things to consider. You can also find simple guides for beginners.
General knowledge of painting
Learn about drawing portraits of animals
General knowledge that is the basis for learning to draw portraits
Learn how to paint portraits of people
Learn how to create your own animal paintings
General knowledge of painting portraits in oil
How to paint portraits in watercolour
Try painting a portrait by following tips from JNArt
Styles for portraits
You can commission portraits in as many styles as there are artists, each creating in their own unique way. Some genres or styles may be more difficult to find an artist practicing, other styles there are lots of artists with a similar expression. Here are some examples of styles:
Classic and hand-painted
A common style in hand-painted and drawn portraits is naturalistic or classical style. It is a term that includes lifelike images. These styles are often what is requested by someone who wants an older style portrait. It is with these techniques that portraits were created in the past, giving it a feeling of just being older. Before the advent of the camera, portrait painting or drawing were the main ways of documenting how people looked.
Hyperrealism
When the painting or drawing starts to resemble a photograph, it is called hyperrealism or photorealism. Painting or drawing in this style is very time-consuming.
Surrealistic portrait
Non-representational portraiture became fashionable in the 20th century. There are many different styles and the degree of abstraction can vary from slightly distorted to completely unrecognisable. All portraits have some degree of abstraction because it is never the individual being portrayed.
Modern or digital portraits
Today, there are a variety of techniques and media available for creating portraits. Better technology has allowed greater freedom. It is not allowed to exactly copy another artist's style, but being inspired and taking influences from different styles and genres is perfectly ok. That's why it's possible to commission portraits in a variety of styles from JNArt.
Experimental portraits
What is it that says that a portrait has to follow the conventions and ideas we have had so far? Art is free, so anything is possible even in portraiture. You may have a unique idea that you want help to realise.
Modern portraiture: trends and styles today
Here are some modern styles of portraiture that might be interesting to explore.
Hyperrealism/Photorealism: Strives for photo-like, extreme detail in textures and light. Makes a technically impressive and intense impression through its almost unreal precision. In this field, artists try to develop the classical techniques further and paint modern subjects using the older but refined methods.
Figurative Expressionism / Contemporary Expressionism: Expresses inner feelings through bold colours, visible brushstrokes and often distorted forms. Creates a raw, psychologically charged and emotionally intense impression.
Abstract Portrait Painting: Breaks down the human form and focuses on colour, line and composition instead of exact likeness. Gives a conceptual and interpretable impression.
Pop art influenced / Graphic style: Inspired by pop art with strong, flat colours, clear outlines and sometimes popular culture references. Gives a bold, graphic and visually striking modern impression, often realised as digital graphic design.
Experimental digital art and AI: New technologies constantly provide new ways of expression. New expressions are emerging in the borderland between photography, digital painting and classical portraiture.
Portraits - Execution and background
There are many ways to create a portrait. But here are some choices and technical elements that are often included. You can use them as inspiration if you are creating your own portraits or when communicating with your portrait artist/portrait photographer: composition, pose, facial expression, format, key, colour range, style, emotion, attributes, clothing, gaze, technique or medium, lighting, depth of field, atmosphere, colour scale, angles,
The background is subject to all the above choices but here the artist/photographer can play with whether it should be abstract or figurative, texture and in what ways it should influence the subject itself.Â
Personalised portraits
At JNArt you can order personalised portraits. As an artist, I create both photo portraits and drawings and paintings from models or photographs. But what should you strive for to create a personalised portrait? An important part for JNArt is that you as a customer should be able to influence the painting. If I, as a portrait artist, create an image that does not have permission to hang up, I do not see much point in it. Therefore, I have a dialogue about the execution so that I can put my mark while it becomes a style and technique that suits your wishes. At JNArt you can see my diverse portfolio of unique portraits. All are handmade and if you are interested in ordering a portrait, you can always contact me for a quote.Â
Quality of portrait painting
The quality of a portrait is determined by the interplay of several factors not just recognisable similarity. Technical skill is fundamental - the artist's ability to handle the medium, capture form through light and shadow, and create a thoughtful composition.
Equally important, however, is the portrait's ability to capture and convey something of the person's character, presence or essence. A high-quality portrait feels alive and creates a connection between the viewer and the subject.
Other factors that affect the quality of the portrait are the choice of technique and execution, which determine how durable it is. The frame or passepartout and, not least, the context in which the portrait will be hung also affect the experience.
Ultimately, however, portraiture should be considered a work of art. It is a personal interpretation of the artist and even if the artist tries to control the focus and emotions of the viewer, that freedom will always remain with the viewer.
Frequently asked questions about portraits
Is there a difference between portraiture and modelling? Yes, it is. What is classically meant by portrait is an image that focuses on the face. Model painting is often a figure painted in full body. Model painting, like kroki, usually refers to a model who is nude or scantily clad, while portraits usually depict clothed figures. A clothed individual is usually called a portrait if the focus of the image is to emphasise the person and the face.
Why are there so many ugly portraits? The simple answer to that question is that creating portraits is not that easy. You need to have knowledge of anatomy, the technique you are creating the portrait in and the ability to see all the features of the model. Then the style of portraiture has gone into trends. In some periods, everyone would look smooth and young, another epoch serious, today it is customary to look pleasant and smile in portrait photos.
Why are so many serious in old portrait paintings and portrait photos? It's not that it was boring back then. If you were modelling for a portrait painting, you needed to be able to sit still for many hours. It's hard to keep a smile for many hours. When we are relaxed, many people look a bit serious. The same was true of photography at the time, the shutter speed was slower so the model couldn't move. A portrait was also often used as a status symbol, so it was appropriate to have a face that signalled status and seriousness.
Can I order a beautifying portrait? Creating avatars, using filters, asking to be beautified or to undergo procedures, or spending time and resources to change one's appearance or show off the most pleasing sides - it's all very human. We are, after all, social beings living in a context with others. It is possible to make beautifying portraits and it will not be the first or the last. Whether it's honest or desirable is up to the client and the viewer to decide.
The psychology of portraits - what does your face say?
A good portrait painter is characterised by his or her ability to look beyond the exterior and convey the inner essence of the individual. It's not just about reproducing physical features, but about capturing a personality, a temperament - perhaps even a life story - in a single moment.
Portrait painters often have a well-developed eye for detail: how light falls across cheekbones, how a hand is held, or which gaze reveals something deeper. Technically, this requires a strong understanding of anatomy, colour and composition, but also an intuitive sense of the person behind the face. Many of the greatest portrait painters have also had a particular gift for storytelling - where each brushstroke contributes to a greater whole, like a visual biography.
How do you interpret or assess a portrait?
Here are some questions you might want to ask the next time you study a portrait:
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About the depicted person (model):
- What can we infer about the person's social status, profession or personality?
- What was the person's relationship with the artist?
- What does body language, facial expression and gaze say about the person?
- Why did the person want to be portrayed like this?
- What do the clothes, jewellery or other attributes tell us about the person and their time?
About the artist and the work:
- Who is the artist behind the portrait?
- What technique has been used (oil, watercolour, photography, sculpture, etc.)?
- How has the artist used composition, colour and light to create an effect?
- Which style does the portrait belong to (realism, impressionism, expressionism, etc.)?
- Why did the artist choose this particular pose, cut-out or background?
- What was the artist's intention with the portrait? Was it a commission?
- How does this portrait differ from other works by the same artist?
- How has the artist used colour, shape, design and emotion to depict the subject?
On context and interpretation:
- When was the portrait created and what was typical of that time?
- What was the original purpose of the portrait (private memory, public representation, propaganda)?
- How does the portrait reflect societal norms or ideals at the time?
- Are there any hidden messages or symbols in the portrait?
- What feeling or mood does the portrait convey to you as a viewer?
- How has the perception of this portrait changed over time?
- What makes this portrait unique or interesting compared to other portraits?
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How to save your old portraits
A portrait that has become faded, dirty or damaged can sometimes be restored. For example, the cracking of an oil painting can be due to a variety of reasons, such as the colours used or the way the paint was applied. It is recommended to hire a professional in the specific medium to carry out the restoration. Sometimes a painting or drawing is beyond saving. In that case, it may be an option to have an artist like JNArt create a replica inspired by the damaged work. Older oil paintings need to be cleaned in order to regain some of their bright colours.
If you want professional help to save a damaged or worn old portrait, you can contact a conservator who specialises in art.
Repairing a broken portrait
Something unexpected has happened and your old or new portrait has been damaged. If so, you are welcome to contact JNArt to suggest possible solutions. Here are common solutions for restoring portraits:
- Paint over the damage
- If the damage is extensive - make a copy of the portrait
- Is it watercolour - Do a digital restoration and create an art print that is equivalent
If you want professional help to save a damaged or worn old portrait, you can contact a conservator who specialises in art. (JNArt does not work on cleaning old oil paintings)
Funny portraits - Caricature and satire
Caricatures are portraits with distorted features. They are often intended to be funny or, as satire, mean. Creating caricatures can be very difficult because the artist needs to see what characterises a face and enhance those features without losing the likeness. The more distorted a face is, the more likely it is that it does not resemble the person modelling the portrait. In reality, it is very small differences in our facial features that characterise us.
Photo portraits
For the past century, portrait photography has been the dominant way of capturing and documenting the faces of people around us. Portraiture is an art in itself and there are many points of contact between the choices a portrait photographer and portrait painter make in their professions.
Photo portraits
You can click on here and learn more about portrait photography, you will get information about:
How to take a good portrait? Tips for beginners
Portrait photography: technique, light and composition
How to pose for a successful portrait photo
How to edit portraits in Photoshop or Lightroom?
Portraits in marketing and personal branding
Black and white portraits - timeless and powerful expression
Painting from photo
You may have captured a great shot of your loved ones, but the photo may not be suitable for printing and hanging on the wall as a photograph. If you have one or more photos, you can order a painting based on a photo. JNArt can also make beautiful paintings from photos of questionable quality, you can always contact us if you are unsure about your photo.
Self-portraits
A self-portrait is a type of portrait in which the artist presents a portrait of themselves in some form. Today, selfies have become a natural part of everyday life for many of us. Like the portrait, the self-portrait has a deep existential meaning - I am, this is what I look like and this is how others see me.
Go ahead to order a portrait
JNArt is the right creator for many types of assignments. This applies to almost all types of portraits. If the assignment does not fit, JNArt can give tips on another talented artist.
