Watercolour portraits

To attempt portraits in watercolour is not for the faint hearted! Watercolour is a notoriously difficult medium to work in, and is, in comparison to other media, fairly unforgiving. Whatever technique one is using, whether it be wet into wet or a more considered approach, careful planning is required if your painting is to be a success.

The above sketch was done in about one hour using a wet into wet technique. No preliminary drawing was done. Although initially it looked chaotic to the group I was demonstrating to, I was, even at the earliest stage, planning and allowing for my highlights to be preserved. If things go wrong there is still the possibility of lifting out with a sponge or tissue.

The same approach was used in this sketch. Having established the position of the features I started to build up the depth of tone. At various points I dried the painting and went in with a dry brush technique, as in the eyes.

The above was a preliminary sketch I did for a more finished portrait. Again this was completed in less than an hour.

“Mary.”     A portrait in watercolours.

This more finished portrait took considerably longer, requiring as it did layer upon layer of transparent glazes to achieve the detail I wanted.

I find watercolour the most amazing medium and one which offers a luminosity and delicacy unrivalled by others.

In a later blog I will demonstrate a watercolour portrait from start to finish and will describe the materials, techniques and colour mixes I use.

A traditional method of painting a portrait 4

The portrait is nearly complete. I have continued building up detail through a series of glazes alternating with more solid pigment.

I pay close attention to  blending, whilst at the same time increasing the depth of shadows and picking out the highlights in the flesh. With a hogs hair brush I try to capture the flow of the hair before finally using a sable rigger to add the wispy bits.  This technique is particularly useful where the hair goes into the background. This way, the contour is softened.

A few minor adjustments to the face, a bit more detail to the blouse, and the portrait will be finished.