All Activities
Paint a portrait

Paint a portrait
Green highlight

Paint a portrait of a friend, family member, or pet using pencil sketches, color mixing, and brush techniques to explore observation and creativity.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to paint a portrait

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Paint a Portrait in Oils: Step by Step for Beginners

What you need
Adult supervision required, cup of water, eraser, paint set (watercolor or acrylic), paintbrushes, palette or mixing tray, paper or canvas, paper towel or cloth, pencil, reference photo or live model

Step 1

Choose one friend family member or pet to paint.

Step 2

Decide whether you will use a live model or a photo reference.

Step 3

Cover your workspace with newspaper or an old cloth to protect it.

Step 4

Place your reference photo or position your model where you can see them clearly.

Step 5

Lightly draw a basic head and shoulder shape with your pencil to map the portrait.

Step 6

Add simple guidelines to mark where the eyes nose and mouth will go.

Step 7

Refine the pencil lines to add the main facial features and important details.

Step 8

Erase any extra construction lines so the sketch looks clean.

Step 9

Mix the base colors on your palette for skin fur and large clothing areas.

Step 10

Paint the large base shapes with a medium brush using your mixed colors.

Step 11

Add shadows and mid-tones with a slightly darker mix to give the face or fur depth.

Step 12

Use a small brush to add highlights and fine details like eyes hair strands or whiskers.

Step 13

Step back and make small color or edge adjustments until you feel happy with it.

Step 14

Let your painting dry completely before touching the surface.

Step 15

Share your finished portrait on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

If we don't have a palette, medium brush, or small brush, what can we use instead?

Use a paper plate or jar lid as a palette, washable tempera or acrylic craft paints instead of artist paints, a foam brush or an old wide paintbrush for painting the large base shapes, and a cotton swab or toothpick in place of a small brush for highlights and fine details.

My portrait looks out of proportion after drawing the head and shoulders—what should I try?

Use your pencil to measure and compare distances to your reference, add or adjust the simple guidelines for eyes, nose, and mouth from step 6, then lightly erase extra construction lines and redraw before you start mixing base colors on your palette.

How can this activity be adapted for younger or older kids?

For a 4-year-old, simplify by using a large photo, washable paints, and one big brush to block in base shapes; for about 8-year-olds keep the pencil mapping and guideline steps and introduce basic shadow mixing on the palette; for 12-year-olds encourage refining facial features, adding mid-tones and highlights with a small brush, and making subtle color or edge adjustments.

What are simple ways to extend or personalize the finished portrait?

Mix extra colors on your palette to add a patterned background or clothing details, experiment with texture (thicker paint or a palette knife) for fur or hair, varnish once dry, and then photograph and share your finished portrait on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to paint a portrait

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to draw a SELF-PORTRAIT - Easy steps for kids.

4 Videos

Facts about painting for kids

✏️ The modern graphite pencil rose to popularity in the 16th century after a large deposit was discovered in England.

🖌️ Different brushes make different textures: fan brushes add fur-like strokes, round brushes do fine details, and flat brushes create bold shapes.

🎨 Mixing small amounts of complementary colors (like red and green) can create natural-looking shadows and muted tones.

🐶 Pet portraits have been popular for centuries—wealthy families in the 18th century often commissioned paintings of their dogs and horses.

🖼️ Vincent van Gogh painted over 30 self-portraits, using them to practice expression and technique.

How do you paint a portrait of a friend, family member, or pet?

Start with a clear reference photo or live subject. Lightly sketch basic shapes and proportions with pencil, mapping eyes, nose, mouth, and major angles. Block in large color areas to establish skin tones or fur using a limited palette. Build layers from dark to light, blending edges for soft transitions and using smaller brushes for details. Step back often, correct proportions, and finish with highlights and texture. Let each layer dry if using acrylics before adding final details.

What materials do I need to paint a child-friendly portrait?

Use a sturdy surface like heavyweight paper, canvas board, or stretched canvas. Gather pencils (HB, 2B), eraser, washable paints (tempera for younger kids or acrylics for older children), a range of brushes (round and flat), a palette, water jars, paper towels, and a smock. Optional: palette knife, reference photo, tape to secure paper, and a small easel. Choose non-toxic, washable supplies for safety and easy cleanup.

What ages is portrait painting suitable for?

Portrait painting can be adapted for many ages. Toddlers (3–5) can practice simple face shapes and color exploration with supervision. Elementary children (6–8) can learn basic proportions and mixing. Tweens and teens (9+) can handle detailed sketches, color mixing, and brush techniques. Always adapt expectations, supply washable materials for younger kids, and offer demonstrations and guidance appropriate to each child’s skill level.

What are the benefits of painting portraits for kids?

Portrait painting boosts observation, fine motor skills, and color-mixing confidence. It encourages empathy as children study expressions and details of friends, family, or pets. The activity builds patience and problem-solving while fostering creativity and self-expression. Regular practice improves hand-eye coordination and visual memory. It’s also a rewarding keepsake project that strengthens family bonds when kids paint loved ones or collaborate on compositions.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.

Paint a portrait. Activities for Kids.