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Painting portraits is both rewarding and daunting… can you relate?
If learning to paint watercolour portraits is something you would like to try, keep reading because I have some tips and resources for you as well as a real time sketchbook tutorial video to share with you.
I was going to title this post
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Watching little faces spring from your brush is an awful lot of fun and I really want you to experience it for yourself.
There are two things I know of that are sure to help you jump over the fear and into a little portraiture experimentation : a watercolour sketchbook and a playful attitude.
Actually, in addition to those two things I also have 10 tips for Beginners and a handy downloadable booklet called the Quick Start Guide to Watercolour Portraits. I’ll pop it at the end of the post after the video in case you would like a copy for yourself.
Watercolour Sketchbooks for Portraits
A sketchbook is always an excellent choice because it immediately removes the expectation that the finished product will be a gallery worthy masterpiece. There are a few things to bear in mind however, when it comes to choosing that sketchbook.
Firstly, size. I recommend something like an A5 size (roughly 6 x 8 Inches). I find that if it is smaller than that then you are facing the additional challenges that come with working in miniature. Too much larger than A5 or thereabouts, and it becomes a big, time consuming project.
Secondly, if you are using watercolour then you need to set yourself up for success with the right kind of paper that can cope with water. In the video tutorial that is coming later in this post, I am using a Moleskine watercolour sketchbook. This one…
The paper is cold pressed (slightly textured) 200gsm watercolour paper. This means that the pages will be able to handle the paint and facilitate the watercolour techniques such as lifting, blotting, layering and wet into wet.
Sketchbook paper is never quite as good as watercolour pads, blocks and loose sheets in my experience but as long as the sketchbook declares itself to be watercolour paper and is at least 200gsm (135 lb) it is usually good enough for quick little sketches like these.
By the way, if you need a little more information on choosing the best watercolour supplies for you, I have a whole class on that. It’s free, and you can sign up here.
The Beginner’s Guide to Watercolour Supplies
A Playful Attitude for Watercolour Portraits
Choosing a sketchbook for your substrate and watercolour as your medium already set you up to play, in my view of the world.
People often remark that watercolour is difficult and therefore a tricky choice for portraits. I don’t see it like that at all.
Watercolour is very approachable and doesn’t suffer the seriousness of something like oil paint. Yes, it is unpredictable (actually I think wilful is nearer the mark) but that is part of the fun. You are in this with the watercolour, let it do its part in the painting and therefore bear some of the responsibility for the outcome.
As far as watercolour ‘mistakes’ being hard to correct, you will see that is really not necessarily the case. In the video below, you will see that right at the end of the portrait I almost mess it up… but (spoiler alert) with a dash of calm and a handy kitchen towel disaster is averted.
See… I told you watercolour was more forgiving than it is given credit for.
The other thing that really needs an open mind and a playful spirit is the expectation of the kind of portrait you might produce. Achieving a likeness is a bit of a tricky thing, but achieving a humanoid appearance is not. A good likeness starts with a very accurate drawing in perfect proportions.
When it comes to my sketchbook, terms like ‘accurate’ and ‘perfect’ are not invited to the party.
The more you draw, the better you get at drawing and proportion - it is inevitable. But in the meantime, there is a lot of fun to be had if you embrace a quirky face. If I am honest, my favourite sketchbook portraits are usually the wonky ones - much more charm and character.
(Perhaps I am just getting to the age where character is far more interesting than physical perfection…🤔😝)
Watercolour Portrait Sketchbook Tutorial Video
Want to paint a watercolour portrait with me?
This real time video is fully narrated so you can watch over my shoulder as I create this little portrait in watercolour and hear my thought process as I paint.
Are you inspired to give watercolour portraits a go?
I do hope so.
By the way here is that link to my 10 tips for Beginners in Watercolour Portraits again.
Oh and did you want the free guide?
Grab yours using the form below.
Are you on your own painting journey?
One of these might be useful…
Keep on reading…
