Here is an ear study… Ears are so much fun to paint.  First lay down a wash.  Then watch until the paper starts to dry and lift some color out in the lightest areas.  That will get your form started.

Watercolor study of an eye using Winsor Violet, Winsor Blue Green Shade, Permanent Rose, Winsor Orange, and Winsor Yellow.

To create the brown eye, I used a combo of Winsor Violet and Winsor Orange.

Here I’ve continued my three color glazing process, building in forms, shadows and the features of Kerri’s face.  I’m interested at this point more at suggesting form than painting in details.  I’m also trying to get the turn of the neck and the form of the shoulder.

The movement from color to color is important and I’m trying to keep those violets and greens going in the skin.

The skin takes on the hues of the environment, and it is especially visible in natural outdoor light (no flash on the camera).  I always look carefully for this when I’m photographing and studying my photos.

I’ve also started developing some of the nice shapes in my background.

Here we have the second and third glaze.

I’m just starting this painting of Kerri.

The first step of my process is to paint a light multi-colored glaze over each area of the paper.

The face and hair are glazed with a combination of three colors, Winsor Blue, the green shade,  Permanent Rose, and Winsor Yellow.  I work wet on dry paper, slanting my stretched Arches 140 lb paper at about a 30 degree angle, painting from the top and moving down the page.

While the color is still slightly wet I’ve lifted out some color in my lightest areas.

Step 1 on my painting of Kerri - First glaze

A reminder about upcoming classes:

Interested in learning how to watercolor or brushing up your watercolor skills?  Do you need motivation and inspiration and the companionship of other artists?  Are you struggling with a painting, need help figuring what to do next?

Do you want to learn how to paint a watercolor portrait?

I’d love to help you.

To find out what’s coming up and where, check out my classes and events page.

If you don’t see a class that will work for you, contact me.  I’m working on setting up workshops and classes for this year and next.