Whimsical Watercolor Portraits

In this class, i share 5 basic steps to making a whimsical watercolor portrait; Sketch, Transfer, Face, Watercolor Play, Doodle. The class is not a deep dive into all the techniques a portrait artist employs to get a likeness. Rather, it is a guide to taking small, achievable steps - one by one- toward creating something creative, magical, playful and unique.

I talk through my process in real-time with some bits sped up so students can just observe on the quick. I discuss ways to manage the layering of watercolor washes, how to translate facial features using watercolor, how to choose colors creatively, how to add the playful splishes, splashes and puddles of loose watercolor that give the painting life. And finally, i show how the addition of detailed doodles and shapes transform the painting into something that is more than the sum of its parts.

Enjoy! And please share your work in the projects area!