Book excerpt: Learn oil painting techniques for portraiture including skin colours, hair and eyes from this step by step art book. Portraiture would seem an art form reserved for the most intrepid and experienced of artists. Now with large images for tablets, this oil painting step-by-step guidebook for beginners to intermediate aims to break down this seemingly exacting subject matter into manageable pieces. Within you will find step-by-step instructions on completing 10 portraits from old masters in oil. Leaving no stone unturned, portrait painting would seem more possible. Each demonstration comprises an overview of a particular oil painting technique to be explored, in-depth step-by-step instructions and (on average) 16 images in progress. The artists featured include Botticelli, Delacroix, Gauguin, Velazquez, Wright of Derby, Jacques-Louis David, Rossetti and Vermeer. An additional demonstration features a modern-day portrait. Subjects of various ages, sexes and ethnicity help the developing portraitist get to grips with portraying most skin types in painting. As well as these demonstrations, preliminary sections offer guidance on the art materials required, preparing for oil painting and a personal view of portrait painting. At the back of this book can be found remedial techniques for portraiture, a troubleshooting guide and a glossary. These features make this book an invaluable guide for the beginner wishing to build confidence as well as the developing portraitist. My other book, 'Skin Tones in Oil: 10 Step by Step Guides from Old Masters' similarly explores portraiture but also the figure. Additional oil painting techniques are explained via the source material of artists including Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rubens. A troubleshooting guide for the portraitist is also available. 'Why do my Skin Tones Look Lifeless Plus 25 Solutions to Other Portrait Painting Peeves' helps with common problems such as mixing skin tones, hair, eyes and shadows plus much more. Dimensions of large edition: 10x8in and 96 pages. The author has a Bachelor’s degree from Kingston University and a PCET teaching qualification from Warwick.