Step by step watercolour portrait

Hi everyone, I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I last posted! I've been working on a painting after doing a bit of research online about how to paint realistic watercolour portraits. I chose a good quality photo from google images of a little girl wearing a chunky knitted hat and a felt coat.

I'm linking this post up to What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW) and Paint Party Friday :)

First of all I started by sketching the girl in pencil on watercolour paper. The background was the first bit to be painted. I applied a wash of clear water to wet the paper first, then added greens, yellows, blacks and purples to achieve a mottled effect. Then I painted the face and waited for it to dry before adding more layers of shadow.

how to paint portraits

how to paint portraits

Next came the hair and eyes...


...and a little more colour on the hat.

how to paint a portrait

I used a very fine brush to add detail to the eye and nose and began painting a little more texture in the hair.

watercolour portrait

I put another wash of red over the whole hat and that's about as far as I got! There's a lot more detail to add yet and more shading to give it some depth.

watercolour portrait

I'll hopefully have time this week to finish it!

Lastly, just a reminder that my facebook giveaway is still running, see the link for details on how to be in with a chance of owning this 'Crafty Seagull' painting. I set myself a target of 500 likers on my facebook page. It may have been a little ambitious as I'm a long way off at the moment so any new 'likerers' and followers would be warmly welcomed! You can find my page here.

watercolour giveaway

Today I'm linking up over at the following parties... Be Different, Act Normal.
Clare Willcocks: Step by step watercolour portrait

Saturday 10 August 2013

Step by step watercolour portrait

Hi everyone, I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I last posted! I've been working on a painting after doing a bit of research online about how to paint realistic watercolour portraits. I chose a good quality photo from google images of a little girl wearing a chunky knitted hat and a felt coat.

I'm linking this post up to What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW) and Paint Party Friday :)

First of all I started by sketching the girl in pencil on watercolour paper. The background was the first bit to be painted. I applied a wash of clear water to wet the paper first, then added greens, yellows, blacks and purples to achieve a mottled effect. Then I painted the face and waited for it to dry before adding more layers of shadow.

how to paint portraits

how to paint portraits

Next came the hair and eyes...


...and a little more colour on the hat.

how to paint a portrait

I used a very fine brush to add detail to the eye and nose and began painting a little more texture in the hair.

watercolour portrait

I put another wash of red over the whole hat and that's about as far as I got! There's a lot more detail to add yet and more shading to give it some depth.

watercolour portrait

I'll hopefully have time this week to finish it!

Lastly, just a reminder that my facebook giveaway is still running, see the link for details on how to be in with a chance of owning this 'Crafty Seagull' painting. I set myself a target of 500 likers on my facebook page. It may have been a little ambitious as I'm a long way off at the moment so any new 'likerers' and followers would be warmly welcomed! You can find my page here.

watercolour giveaway

Today I'm linking up over at the following parties... Be Different, Act Normal.

4 Comments:

At 10 August 2013 at 10:41 , Blogger Liz said...

Clare this is fantastic, i love it. It could almost be Lily in a few years time xxx

 
At 10 August 2013 at 16:30 , Blogger Darnell said...

Wow, Clare, thank you for showing the process. I'm always in awe of true artistry in action! Love the little painting. I would be so fighting that dude for those French fries!! Happy Belated WOYWW and enjoy the rest of your week! Darnell #12

 
At 11 August 2013 at 01:19 , Blogger Uuna said...

Very interesting serie, thank You so much. It is nice to wait when eyes start to twinkle and they do. Wonderful!

 
At 11 August 2013 at 15:05 , Blogger Studio Kaufmann said...

Popping over from Paint Party Friday. Thanks that is really helpful for learning how to paint a portrait. The little girl has such a wonderful expression!

 

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