40 Incredible Digital Painting Portraits
By Steven Snell | February 18th, 2009 in Inspiration, design
As I’m browsing through portfolios on sites like devianART, some of the work that amazes me the most are the digital paintings and portraits of highly-skilled artists. In this post we’ll feature 40 outstanding examples.
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125 Responses from Readers
Wow! and Wow! some of that work is just mind bending. How many hours work do you think would be involved to produce such great work?
Wow, some of these are absolutely stunning.
I gotta say though, some of these are so photo real that surely a photograph would do.
they look great
please make one 4 2pac
i’ll bookmark so i can check
These are really amazing and astounding what they can do now with digital art. The two of Johnny Depp are really great especially the one of him in real life though the Capt. Jack is really good as well. I agree that they look so realistic that it seems to somewhat defeat the fact that they are drawn.
Paul,
If you click through to the deviantART pages many of them indicate how many hours were involved. It’s not uncommon for these to take 30 hours or more.
GO HUGHIE XD!!!!!
These are stunning. Thank you so much for sharing them.
Wow these are great, some of them you can hardly tell they aren’t photos. Carlzon Portrait is my favorite, thats just awesome!
Photoshopped. sheesh.
LOL. j/k. seriously good art work.
these are gorgeous. I think it’s funny how originally painters always made an attempt to make a painting look like a photo and now in the digital age, graphic designers are making photos look like paintings.
These are good, but I’d like to see the process before I praise the artists for their incredible skill. It’s easy to paste a photo into Photoshop and just paint on top of it. If you’re not bringing anything new to the image then it’s little more than advanced tracing.
Some do have videos or in process pictures linked from the deviantART page.
Wow, I can’t wait to get a Wacom Tablet. Some of these look so real that my guess is they put the actual photo on the bottom layer and just traced over it. Some of it even looks like they cut and paste real images to make the clothing and what not look realistic. Either way it’s pretty awesome.
Just wanted to point out that a couple of these are not digital paintings but actually 3D renders (Captain Jack Sparrow for one).
Not saying they didnt take skill, effort, talent, just that calling them paintings is incorrect. It is an entirely different process to create an image on a 2d plane than to build one in a 3d environment.
Brendan,
My mistake. You’re right and thanks for pointing it out. When I get a chance I’ll go through and update the list.
Boring. By art school standards…brilliant.
Here…boring
very good paintings….. cool.
Really amazing portraits. Most of them look like a photograph.
Great selection. Some I still know from deviantart.
mate these are incredible. Really top work. my hat goes off to you…
Very entertaining post! Thank you.
Incredible ability.
I had to look very closely to see that some of those were in fact painted.
Wow, Lovely works !!
I was just confused watching some of em, i thought they were real photographs.. Really, WOW!!
These are great. thanks for posting…
GREAT portraits.
I got here through stumbling from other sites, any idea which software were used in the creation of such amazing portraits??
I enjoyed these very much, I love any form of pics,especially portraits,wish I could do this!
just Phenomenal!
Ezine – no, by art school standards these are also boring. DESIGN school, these might be useful as illustrations, but even then, from a commercial point of view they would be impractical. No client would pay for a reproduced photograph.
Which brings me to my point. As obviously (technically) talented the artist(s) is/are, I fail to see the artistic merit in reproducing a photograph. If you want it to look like a photograph, take a photograph. And leave it as a photograph.
Surely the early 20th century artists must have taught us that the camera is here to stay, and painters need to move in a different direction. These are not paintings because they do not have any interest in the concerns or history of painting as a continuum of art.
Move on!
I think this are the best portraits i ever seen in my life. I don’t care if it was photoshopped or handmade.
Absolutely mind blowing talent. I can’t imagine the work involved to create these.
Mattress,
Most were done in Photoshop. If you click through, many of them provide the details.
Nicholaspaul,
I agree that very few clients are going to pay a premium for a creation that looks very much like a photograph, but personally I still appreciate the quality of the work and I find them to be inspiring.
It is interesting to me how digital painting has kind of brought back that kind of Roman verism where every detail is rendered so carefully. Perhaps it is the sign of the times, but the overly polished digital constructions always looks fake to me. How ironic right?
No matter how hard they try to look gritty a digital painting always looks less than truthful to me. It takes immense skill no doubt, but I can’t help, but feel that I am being lied to.
I cannot help but wonder at the bitterness and cynicism of many of the comments regarding these images. Whilst they are neither portraits, photographs or paintings in the strictest sense, they are objects, and have been created by an artist; so their individual quality (and collective merit as a contemporary style/genre) is surely what is important. You either like them or you dont, but the same could be said of a Rodin sculpture (realistic?)or any of the 20th century movements in realism. For over a hundred years we have been bombarded with realism, and as technology improves, our sense of realism is heightened (HD TV being a great case in point).Their technicality is something of a distraction, as is the familiarity of the faces, but more distracting still is the need that many of the viewers seem to find in comparing them with another method of representation. We live in a time of familiar faces, and faces made familiar by film, media and photographs, so surely, these pieces are an accurate representation of the ‘face focused’ world we live in. so, again, you either like them or you dont, and if you don’t just get over yourselves!
I am shocked not only at the skill of these paintings, but the insults posted. There are so many condescending messages posted here, suggesting that they are so much more creative or better. Perhaps these pictures do not portray artistic creativity, but they display the work of a few very talented people. As a fellow digital painter, I know this process is tedious and time consuming, but it is loads of fun. So I applaud these designers incredible dedication and work, and continue to display my disbelief that there would be anyone who would post a message suggesting these are good by school standards, not even. Perhaps we could look past the idea of these images being created for ourselves, and maybe these artists did it because it is what they enjoy.
lovely stuff man!!!
just to inform you that the “Portrait of a Mad Man” is of Late Heath Ledger as a joker in the Movie “Dark Knight”
Yes, I’m aware that it is Heath Ledger. That’s the title the artist gave it.
Great skill shown here, nice post
These make my drawings feel insignificant
There’s certainly skill and talent involved when someone makes such paintings or renders or illustrations. But the point often eludes me. Unless it’s animated 3D character or the pic is needed in respectively huge size. Otherways i’d say it’s kinda dull. Why waste talent and skill to such things. These talented artists should also think up an idea for their paintings to really stand out.
flawlesss
I love digital portraits! These were really, really well done. Thanks for compiling such an awesome list.
Wow, incredible paintings!
I’ve done something like this with a photo of my boyfriend. It was really hard work for me seeing as though it was the first one I’ve ever done. Yes it looks like a photograph, but the fact that I was able to make a flat image and make it look like a regular photo again was mind blowing and a major confidence booster. I give lots of credit to people that do this on a regular basis.
Truly inspirational! The life in the eyes is amazing!
Anyone else think Jack Sparrow looks like Federrer?
the digital paintings..here r very ex….elent and….extra ordinary works, really i love them, and very much inspired, thank u for posting them…….
wow this is awesome…thanks for sharing this..thumbs up!
awesome! I love this entry
At moments of great enthusiasm it seems to me that no one in the world has ever made something this beautiful and important
awesome! I love it, its amazing! incredible paintings.
i love the hair and the skin, beautifully done.
Exquisite beauty! ^_^
awesome!
I can’t believe. in Some paintings you can’t even distinguish between real and fake.
Regards
Jenney MaC
I love these! I’ve always loved digital art, it’s so cool!
first time looking at digital art it’s kool
These portraits took much time and skill to make and they are impressive for this alone. Thank you for posting them. Which by the way, how did you embed them here? Is this a wordpress blog. On Deviantart I only see a way to Share/Blog It on digg, livejournal and myspace or am I missing something?
Joni,
They’re not embedded. I took screen prints, uploaded them to my server and placed them in the post. Hope that answers your question.
Not my taste, but I’m sure they were satisfying to create. Remind of the double soft filter effect of yesteryear photography / soft porn to create an ethereal. smooth effect. Again, not my cup. No edge to it. Fake fake and these ppl already have that airbrushed inhuman taint.
If this stuff impresses you, you know nothing about Art. Literally, you are at a kindergarten level in the mind.
None of these “portraits” tells you anything about the sitter or about the artist who made them. They are empty technical demonstrations by people without talent or insight.
And, they are only copies from photographs–mainly “painted” right over them.
Someone has a lot of learning and growing to do and very little time to do it.
I take it back–the Kurt Cobain portrait says something about him, but that’s due to the photographer’s work, not the copyist’s.
Hello,
I love this art work. I am really impressed with the results. May I ask what software was used?
What can I say, Inspiring , Great , Unbelievable ,
Truly Magnificent.
PAINTINGS??? Or OVER painted photographs.
Wow! I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but as a full-time portrait artist, both digitally and traditionally, these digital “paintings” are not all that difficult. Both traditional portraits and digital portraits typically start with a photograph. The difference is, a traditionally painted portrait is started from a blank canvas with the photo only used as a reference.
A digitally “painted” portrait actually starts with the photo, and digitally manipulates the photo to look like a painting. The software I use is Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop. The trick is to get the photograph to appear like a hand painted painting and not so much as a photograph. This is actually very hard to do, because most digital artists lean more toward the realism of a photograph rather than the creative interpretation of a traditionally painted portrait. This is why so many of these “paintings” look like a photograph.
If you would like to watch a couple videos of a traditionally painted portrait, check out these links. I do not know this artist, but he is amazing!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqee4_ANPgA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a__n22dp2k&feature=related
that “chris” photo – anyone in this world would not tell that is painted. it looks real
very impressive. look closer, every single detail is perfectly draw by painter, maybe took lots of time to make it. thanks for great posting.
Wow, great and impressive.
Simply lovely……papa likes!!
Excellent selection. I can’t imagine how much work has gone into some of those.
Some are impressive. I’ve always liked to draw/paint, too…I can see imperfections…mostly in eyes. Also the picture prior to The Madman…labeled Portrait, I think, shows nostrils that are not appropriately sized. Are C. Aguilera’s shoulders really THAT narrow? And the dual portraits of Nancy Botwiz has a broader space (shown on the 2nd portrait) between nose and lips. Maybe the imperfections were intended. Just another opinion to disregard…mine, that is.
very amazing pics
These pics r simply amazing…
A lot of hard work being put in by creative artists!!!
Keep going!
@ Dave: If u click on any of the above photo it will give u a link for youtube where u can watch the artist draw and paint these photos from scratch…
considering that, its a pretty neat job!
Owsem man, very very very cooool, i liked it so much. amazing.
princess: . . . Yes, there are some very talented digital painters, but you are mistaken if you think ALL of the above “paintings” were done “from scratch”. I didn’t mean to lessen the impact of the digital art, it is just that most people don’t know that these were started with cloning the original photograph and then manipulating it to look like a painting.
As I said, I do both digital and traditional portraits. I offer digital portraits for people who do not have the money for a traditionally painted portrait which cost thousands instead of the few hundred dollars digital portraits cost. I also know how to paint a portrait digitally, record it to show on UTube, and it looks like it was done from scratch, but it wasn’t, it is nothing more than photo manipulation. Sorry. I guess I’m just more honest than most.
@ Dave, Hello Dave I would be very interested to view your U tube video of you creating a digital portrait, I have always assumed that you would need to know some extremely advanced Photoshop to create these sorts of work. How would I go about finding your video do you have a link you could post me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5JoiC0p68
I have only a basic knowledge of Photoshop and Corel Painter. There are many others with much more training or understanding of these programs that do much more than I am able to do and much better too. But I believe anyone with a basic understanding of graphic applications can do this. (and the money to invest in the proper hardware and software.)
I also believe the artists that create this type of work, completely enjoy the minutes or hours it takes to make these creations. Yes, digital painting is much easier than starting out with a blank canvas and using artist’s oil paints, but it is none the less enjoyable and creative. I get so lost in the process, time just flies by and when I think only a half an hour has passed, three or four hours have actually gone by! I love it.
Hi again Dave, I watched your video, really inspired am i right in thinking that all you used where paint brushes and the blur tool? I never thought it would be so easy. All the effect of an oil painting with out the mess or the need to wait for paint to dry. Im going to have a go myself.
Anna,
Actually, I did not use the blur tool. The actual painting done on the video was using Corel Painter X with a 15″ Macbook Pro, and a Intuos3 Wacom Tablet. I typically only use Photoshop to adjust the colors and set the composition then do the actual painting in Painter.
You can download a free trial of Painter at http://www.corel.com for either Macs or PCs and I’m sure you will have loads of fun messing around with all the brushes, and yes, no mess and no waiting for the paint to dry!
If you’d like more details on how I use Painter, just holler at me at the email address on my web site. And, no, I do not charge for this info. lol I have so much fun doing digital art that I just like to share the joy. lol
Oh, yes I know Corel I used that when I did my work experience a while back now. I think I will have a go with Photoshop (because I know where i am with that) over the weekend and see how I get on. I may be take you up on your email option tho thanks. Either way ill let you know how i get on.
Wow.. these are so… ordinary.
fantastic grafics!!!!!!!
Hi,
That was awesome………
Is it possible 2 get our photograph done somewhere?
would luv 2 knw how to do it myself…..:)
Husna,
You could contact some of the artists to see about getting a portrait done.
Some really nice pics there, not all to my taste, but i can still recognize a certain amount of skill when i see it.
Absolutly Beautiful. Incredible talent.
Amazing!! Absolutely Stunning..
wonderful site
very well done,,
Wow!! My favorite is the Jimi Hendrix portrait.
This is absolutely amazing!!! I got goosebumps looking at the Lennon. And Captain Jack Sparrow
..
To answer to those who question the “value/purpose/point” of digital realism: I think that photorealism (whether digital or traditional) is not so much an outlet for “artistry/creativity” (although I’ve seen spectacular artists like Linda Bergkvist achieve both simultaneously), as it is an attempt to recreate life. Does that make sense? It is, after all, what realism is about: to convey to the viewer a sense of something that is “more real than real life”. There’s something very satisfying in painting something that so accurately imitates life that people have to look twice to tell that it’s actually a painting and not a photo.
Ohh Yeah baby!! haha
I´m from são Paulo, Brazil. I´m soo impressed with that illustrations, I hope one day join this list of illustrators. At least I’m studying for it!
The graphic skill is indeed amazing.
I just wish most of those people would actually study art and _anatomy_ before attempting portraits. So easy to have broken and wrong face features.
I don’t understand how many people with bad taste are in this world. these to me are terrible tacky and ugly portraits, anyone with some real artistic knowledge will agree with me. aghh!
impressive!!one of my favorite pirates,captured just the way I imagined
Hey all,
I dont mean to burst any bubbles here but this kind of stuff was done during art classes at CMU and even then if this was done it would have been stopped by the instructors.
These are photography copies….copying a photo…even copying it and cropping it is just “draftsmanship” it has very little to do with art especially fine art!
Designing a human is not that difficult…if you are trained in anatomy and a few years of figure study.
What is difficult is creating a composition. drawing something relistically is NOT art it is draftsmanship….Please…dont get them confused!
Some of these, like the portraits of Jack Sparrow, Elena and Gerard Butler, I have seen before, but the rest are simply mind blowing…These are beauties and nothing less…the sepia effect given to the Scarlett Johansson is simply awesome…In my opinion the Water Self Portrait Study is by far the best in the list….Mood1, Angry Look, Portrait Drawing and Pintura Digital are my other favorites in the list…I just loved each one of these….Thanks for sharing this….
In an age where so many disturbing things are going on…..people killing people…visual images of children suffering plastered all over the place…mass ignorance has for some reason become “the norm.” Why is it that we can not look at something beautiful or other wise, without someone mouthing off about how much it sucks or what little talent it takes to create it? Does taking a picture with a camera make you an “artist?” If this is the case, then over 4.6 billion people every year become “artists” in North America. It’s, “how” you take a picture that makes you an artist. It’s how you paint a picture that makes you an artist, it’s how you play a role that makes you an artist. Anyone can paint, take pictures and even act, it’s when others are taken back and impressed, that’s when you become an artist. In the comments posted here, for every two negative there are twenty positive. People are impressed, keep your chin up and soldier on!!!! To those that would rather undermind the artistic creativity of these works of art, I was always told, that if you dont have anything good to say about someone, then STFU!!!!
Most of these are piss poor paintovers.
Liv Tyler the best. Nice girl!
beutiful
Brilliant portraits!! This is absolutely an incredible talent, Simply superb.
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