Mixed Media Portraits with Pam Carriker: Techniques for Drawing and Painting Faces

by Pam Carriker

Set your portraits apart from the rest!

Portraits can be an intimidating subject. But not with Art At the Speed of Life author and workshop instructor Pam Carriker as your teacher. She helps you take on faces one quick sketch at a time for faster, easier, more enjoyable drawing and painting. Not your average book on drawing the face, Mixed Media Portraits With Pam Carriker shows easy ways to draw more realistic faces in your own signature style. The goal is not an immaculate finished portrait, but a continually growing collection of personal, expressive sketches that you can use and reuse in your mixed-media work.

Inside you'll find:

   • An easy-to-learn face-mapping technique that allows you to draw faces from your imagination, without a model or photo in front of you
   • Mini-demonstrations breaking down each facial feature
   • Simple color combinations for mixing both realistic and out-of-the-ordinary skin tones
   • 15 step-by-step projects featuring original ways to use your portraits as starting points for mixed-media masterpieces
   • Tons of expert tips, from selecting the right pencil for the job to creating self-portraits, working with reference photos and using transfer techniques
In the true spirit of mixed media, this book is all about combining, layering and experimenting in your pursuit of portrait nirvana. It will get you out of your comfort zone and into the habit of making faces that are truly and uniquely your own.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2015

Reviews

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have all of Pam's books and I really enjoyed this book and the Facebook group that goes with it. What I like best about the book is the way it is broken down into parts and art experiments. I love how you can use it at whatever art skill and level you are at and the way that you want. I wanted to learn a little more about how Pam makes such stylized amazing portraits and how I can use those techniques to enhance my artwork and style. I love how Pam has bookmarks or notes on the edges of the pages with art supplies and techniques as extras. I also love the feedback and input from other artists. I like how I could keep working on my art skills and practicing on individual parts and I like the techniques on how to draw/finesse eyes, ears, noses, etc. with a series of circles the best and just looking at all the great artwork. I also enjoyed making my paper bag journal-something you learn from the book and I sketch and practice in that a lot. I highly recommend as a reference book and learning tool this is one I will keep in my art library bookcase.

[Jane Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Love love love Pam's style, and she knocked it out of the park with this one. I will always keep it on the shelf in my art studio and refer to it.

[Genevieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a nice wide overview of various media techniques, even some I haven't heard of yet (liquid pencil?!). There are also good tutorials on how to map out the human head from various views. That said.... the work by the author used as examples is really not that great, and therefore doesn't inspire confidence. If you want to learn how to draw human faces and bodies *really well,* learn from a professional and use the classic "Drawing the Head and Figure" by Jack Hamm.
PS. Also, this book only covers how to paint or draw white people, to an embarrassing degree.

[Maria Paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book more than I imagined I would! Not only does it give excellent and well explained techniques about drawing and painting faces, it also teaches you several multi media techniques. A very diverse inclusion of materials, and clear inspiring instructions and examples. I'm debating whether to get it in paper as well!

[Mary E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaping and Shading the Face Mysteries Solved

I have never seen the mysteries of what makes a face look like a face until I found this book. Suddenly I am learning. I love this book and will follow its author wherever she leads.

[Kimmie Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book I've purchased by this artist. I actually bought this book on pre-order. Pam Carricker is one of my favorite mixed media artists. I love her style, and her choices and uses of media.
This book is a definite go to for me, and when I take my faces sketchbook on the go. I always take this book along as well.
Pam Carricker gives us a book that allows you to learn to easily draw faces using easy to follow tutorials that will help you develop your own creative style of mixed media faces.
She does a great job of breaking down sketching the face piece by piece using face mapping. (eyes, nose, ears, etc.) Besides guiding you on how to draw, Pam also guides you on what tools to use, how to mix paints for skin tones, how to create self portraits, using reference pictures, and so much more.
There are loads of projects in this book along with tips from other artists. A definite must for the artist arsenal.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well presented valuable resource for drawing faces not from a live model or reference photo but from your imagination. There are a few guided projects with supply lists and instructions suitable for those looking to try some of the suggested approaches. The book includes suggestions on how to play with facial proportions to create unique caricatures. Several artists participate in Q & A and some of their work is shown. Overall an excellent reference and guide. Recommended for all levels.

[Megan Winston · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book that has helped me really improve my drawing skills!