How to paint a portrait in watercolor. Watercolor portraits
The portrait shows a girl in an autumn coat and beret with a scarf tied around her neck. The head is in a full-face position, the shoulders are in a 3/4 angle. The background is dark. The color palette is based on the ratio of cold and warm tones. The light is soft and diffused.
We determine the proportions of the height and width of the neck, placing the main masses of the portrait in sheet format. Linearly sketch out the front part, beret, scarf, shoulders. We draw the middle axis and determine the vertical ratio of the parts of the face. We outline the section of the mouth, the base of the nose, the lines of the eyes and the armor.
We continue to work with a graphite pencil on the constructive construction of the details of the face, identify the volume of the scarf, and shape the hairstyle.
Refine the pencil drawing. We are working on resemblance to the model. We work out in detail the facial features, beret, folds of the scarf, and outline the strands of hair.
Let's move on to the picturesque solution. We fill the front part and the coat with a transparent fill. We make a warm lining on the scarf, hair and beret.
Use a large flat brush to paint the background in a rich tone. And then, when it just starts to dry, use a clean wet brush to create a texture on it
Taking into account the nature of the lighting, we begin to reveal the shape on the front part with light halftones, layer by layer of glaze.
We actively work with color and tone. Let's design the beret, hair, coat and scarf, revealing their texture. We put emphasis on the collar of the sweater. Be sure to let each layer of paint dry.
We work on the face in detail, focusing on the eyes.
We are finishing work on the portrait. Using transparent halftones we generalize the face, with a damp brush we emphasize the structure of the beret and the fold of the scarf protruding into the foreground, we refine the hair, and glaze the background.
So, the photo that caught my eye is a glamorous portrait of Hollywood actress Olivia Wilde. I rarely work with such glossy photographs, but there are cases that I can’t ignore. This moment cannot be missed. For me it happens like this - you scroll through, look at a lot of photos and immediately note to yourself - this is not the same, this is some kind of bullshit, this is also not the same, and so on. And then suddenly the same photo catches your eye, looking at it, all doubts disappear. You know for sure - it is! The very image of which will definitely appear in your portfolio! Not any other similar photo, but this one. You don’t even know yet what exactly is so special about it, but you are immediately confident that it definitely should be and will be drawn. This feeling cannot be confused with anything at all. Perhaps this photo will not even touch many. Therefore, my task, as an artist, is to show the viewer through a drawing what exactly I saw in this photo, what impressed me.
Here is the photo I chose for the drawing:
As materials, I wanted to try Canson paper with a density of 120 g/m2 in A4 format, a fairly smooth texture, and Derwent Watercolor 36 watercolor pencils.
I started traditionally with a simple pencil sketch. To do this, I determined the compositional position of the face, and also added a lily flower in the girl’s hair. I’ll tell you why I added the flower a little later.
When I was happy with the sketch, I removed the extra lines with a kneaded eraser and started working on the eyes with watercolor pencils. I always start with the eyes. If the eyes are not similar to the original, then the whole portrait will not be similar, so I “finish off” the eyes until I am satisfied.
I use different techniques in portraits with colored pencils, from light to dark and vice versa. But I always draw eyelashes at the very last moment, when the area around the eyes is already completely ready.
After I finished with the eyes, I worked on the skin of the face and then gradually completed the nose and lips. It is worth saying that already at the stage of working on the eyes, the paper began to not withstand the load with many colored layers. Therefore, I had to think carefully before putting this or that shade, otherwise the paper would quickly become clogged and the topmost layer would simply slide on top of the rest, leaving no pigment.
When the face in the portrait is ready, I actually relax and have even more fun. After all, in fact, the most difficult thing has already been done and you can now calmly finish drawing everything else! That's why the girl's hat took me a decent amount of time. I didn’t even notice how it flew by, because... Due to the drawing of many identical elements in the hat, I entered into a kind of meditative process :)
Next, moving down the hair, I started on the lily flower. Everything is simple here - first the lightest shades, then darker ones with dots. The general background of the picture was made as planned - pink and purple.
The next step was to draw the neck, also smoothly hiding its bottom in the pink background. We don’t need unnecessary details from the photo; they will only distract attention. Then I started finishing the remaining hair and the right side of the hat.
After meditating a little more on the hat, I finished the drawing and signed it :)
What’s interesting is that under different lighting conditions the pattern has different colors (compare, for example, the last two photographs, the background and color of the cap changes from pink to purple).
In the end, I managed to get a rough picture of what popped into my head as soon as I saw this photo. In her I saw not a girl or an actress. In it I saw - tenderness. In order to convey this to the viewer, I removed everything unnecessary from the photo and tried to reflect more soft pink shades. At the same time, the lily flower plays a very important role in the portrait. He is the “hallway” to this picture, i.e. the viewer's gaze first of all stumbles upon it, because it is brighter and creates a standard of tenderness. Then look through the hair clockwise to the girl's face, which should create a subconscious comparison of the delicate flower with the tenderness of the girl, plus the soft pink and purple background adds to the atmosphere. That was the idea. You, as the audience, can judge how well it turned out :)
Separately, a fragment with a lily flower:
As for the pencils, they performed quite well. Bright, soft enough, easy to sharpen and rarely break. But I also noticed a minus - they really don’t want to remove the mark from the paper. Therefore, you need to make as few mistakes as possible; I couldn’t completely remove unnecessary strokes from the paper.
In terms of time, this drawing took me about 20 hours (possibly less), I painted mostly on weekends and an hour before or after work.
The finishing touches, as always, I wanted to extend. In general, at the end of the picture you experience some contradictory feelings. On the one hand, I want to finish it and start something else (there are always enough other things to do :-)), but on the other hand, I really don’t want to finish it, because... you know that the picture turned out more or less and you can improve it in some way by enjoying the drawing longer. For me, a portrait in colored pencil is a whole journey! A journey into the world of another person, whom you discover literally millimeter by millimeter, stroke by stroke, where the reward ultimately becomes a single image that no longer seems unfamiliar.
As a child, many people dreamed of learning how to paint well on canvas. But not everyone’s dream came true.
Perhaps you didn’t have time for art school, or you didn’t have enough talent, and over time you abandoned this idea, devoting yourself to more necessary things. But if you still cherish the desire to learn how to paint with watercolors, the following recommendations may be useful to you.
Watercolor is the paint preferred by most artists. There are many techniques for painting with these paints, with which you can create beautiful drawings even without special skills. Below we will look at how to draw a portrait in watercolor step by step.
Tassels
In order to make a portrait in watercolor, you need to have several brushes. You may not need some of them in the future, but it is better to purchase them in the initial stages. Some artists use only one brush, but this requires some experience.
Everyone chooses a set for themselves. Some people prefer brushes with artificial bristles. Natural wool, such as goat wool, also has good reviews. These brushes are popular in China.
Whatever brush you choose, it will take time to get used to it.
Drawing
If you are a beginner or have little experience, it is recommended to make a sketch of the future painting in pencil before starting to work with watercolors.
It must be said that some people prefer to work without a sketch, as sometimes the pencil lines show through in the final painting. And for some it’s just more convenient.
But in cases where maximum similarity and detail are required, it is better to draw the base with a pencil.
Watercolor
When the pencil drawing has become acceptable to you, you can begin to apply the first layer of watercolor paint. Use classic colors: blue, red, yellow, blue, brown.
A mixture of blue and gray colors works well as a background. If you need to depict a person in different positions, start applying paint from the head. And then, while the paint is drying, make the background.
Apply the first coat of paint to the rest of the design. When everything is dry, proceed to the second layer. Remember that when the painting dries, it will look lighter as some of it is absorbed into the paper.
Lastly, add shadows and deepen the facial features. It is very important to be careful at this stage so as not to spoil all the work done.
Portrait Drawing Tools
Now, using an example, we will look at how to draw a portrait in watercolors.
To get started, prepare the following materials:
- Pencil B or HB.
- Watercolor in the following colors: cadmium orange, natural sienna, cadmium yellow, cobalt blue, lamp black, lemon yellow, burnt sienna, burnt umber, vermilion, carmine, ultramarine blue or violet, gum, natural umber.
- Brushes: medium, fine.
Let's draw a portrait together
So, to draw a portrait in watercolor step by step, follow the following recommendations.
This is how the watercolor portrait of the girl turned out. Using this principle, with a little practice, you can draw portraits even from life or from memory.
How to paint flowers in watercolor
Flowers surround us all the time. They give us beauty and inspiration, delight our eyes, and bouquets of flowers are an ideal gift.
And painted portraits of flowers in watercolor will be a wonderful decoration for your wall. The technique of drawing flowers is not much different from portraiture. It is advisable to make a sketch with a simple pencil, and then apply watercolors in the desired shades layer by layer.
Don't forget to do shading to give volume and depth to the image in the painting.
If you dream of learning how to draw a portrait in watercolors, but are afraid that you won’t succeed, first put aside your fears and start reading this article. Here are simple and clear recommendations that will help you pick up your brushes and paints and start creating.
What materials will you need?
Before you start painting a portrait in watercolor, you will need to prepare the necessary materials for this:
Preliminary work
2. Now we begin to paint a portrait in watercolors. And the first thing you need to do is apply a light, transparent underpainting to the paper with paints. For the face, dilute cadmium orange or ocher with water (the paint should be very watery and pale). We paint over the face with broad strokes; in place of the highlights, the paper should remain untouched. Then we select other colors and brush over the hair and clothes, also leaving the lightest places untouched.
3. Now you need to do your eyes and lips. What eye color does your model have? Select the desired paint, dilute it with water until pale and paint over the iris of the eyes in the portrait. Do the same with drawing the lips.
4. Apply shadows to the face. To do this, add a little burnt sienna to our diluted pale cadmium or ocher. At this stage, shadows should also be applied very lightly, not at full strength. In fact, they should differ only slightly in tone from the first paint layer. Please note that you therefore need to pay attention to the shades that are reflected on the skin of the model's face. Let’s say that warm light from red curtains may fall on the face on one side, glare from cold-colored clothing may be reflected on the chin, etc. This must be taken into account and try to display in the portrait using additional colors.
5. Next, we begin to understand the shadows more carefully. We look for the darkest places on the cheekbones, on the lips, on the sides and wings of the nose, near the hair, etc. It is with the help of shadows that the face is modeled and volume is given to it. The main principle when working with watercolors is to always move from a lighter tone to a darker one.
6. We are looking for the lightest intermediate tones between shadow and light. On the face, where the light falls on it, there are also darker and lighter places. We follow the play of light and try to repeat it on paper.
7. We work with hair and clothes according to the same principle as with the face.
8. At the final stage of working on the portrait, you need to take the thinnest brush and use it to finish small details and lines: individual strands of hair, eyelashes, lip line. Always remember that when working with watercolors, even in the darkest areas, the paint should remain transparent.
9. It is best to work on the background in parallel with the entire portrait, but you can leave this for later. The main thing is that the background should not be worked out more than the face, but negligence is also inappropriate here.
Conclusion
We hope you have learned in general terms how to paint a portrait in watercolors. Well, now it’s a matter of practice, because only direct work with will give you self-confidence, as well as the necessary experience and skill. Creative success to you!
watercolor master class
« The only expression allowed in portraiture is expression that conveys character and moral qualities and no temporary, fleeting, accidental grimace"(E. Burne-Jones).
The PORTRET-ART workshop offers you a master class on drawing a portrait with watercolors.
To create a portrait we will need:
· Paper or cardboard
A watercolor portrait is made on special watercolor paper, pre-stretched on a stretcher. This paper comes in different types (you can find out more about this in any art store). Let's just say that the Portret-Art workshop recommends working on Torchon watercolor paper.
· Brushes - brushes should be made of natural materials (squirrel, mustel, badger or ferret)
· Sponge
· Pure water
And, directly, watercolor paint.
construction and technique
Before starting work, carefully study the photo. Always start building with the shape of the head, the oval of the face. First, determine the height (distance from the chin to the crown) and width of the head. Then you need to find the middle line, as a rule, this is the approximate line of the eyes (but not in my case, since a complex angle has been chosen and the reduction is in progress). Make the lines light, do not put pressure on the pencil (we recommend using a soft pencil), do not forget that the main work will be done with watercolor paint, obvious “black” lines can affect the accuracy and quality of your work.
After the line of the eyes is determined, we outline the lines of the nose, lips, eyebrows. We outline the shadows and highlights. At this stage it is already possible to schematically show the shape of the nose, lips, eyebrows and eyes. Never start drawing a portrait with the eye, eyelashes and other small details - if you make a mistake (and everyone makes mistakes), it will be difficult to correct anything. With thin lines we are looking for shape.
The work is carried out by the general masses; we cannot get ahead of ourselves. We work with the proportions of the entire spot.
watercolor painting detail
Let's draw the details. This stage is the most difficult, since right now you need to achieve maximum similarity. It is important to convey a person's character. The main thing is not to forget to take measurements to determine the relationship of certain parts to each other (see).
Now is the time to draw out all the small elements. In order not to overdo it with detail, you can squint while looking at the original image (photo, nature). Thus, you will see those important points that should be taken into account - the main large spots, facial features and lines. This will make your work easier. We do not forget to compare details all the time - we achieve accuracy.
We outline shadows and highlights.
Before moving on to this stage, you need to gain at least basic knowledge of pencil drawing and the anatomy of the human face.
for beginners
When all the construction is completed, you can begin preparing watercolor paint for work. Using a brush and clean water, wet each color (this will help you blend the colors faster as you work). However, this is done only for convenience.
We remove the auxiliary lines with nags or a grater.
Take a palette (paper, plastic or glass). Sometimes you need to use several types of palettes (for example, both plastic and paper) - such details come directly during work.
We advise you to start working with paint by laying out the shadows and dark areas of the portrait. Thus, the figure will immediately acquire volume. Take a thick brush (how thick depends on the format of your sheet), make large strokes, use more water (something like a fill). Keep in mind that when watercolor dries, it becomes lighter. As for color and its production, there are no specific rules. In general, watercolor painting loves individuality.
We pay attention to the darkest areas of the face, trying to get a three-dimensional image already at this stage.
finding color. working with planes
Now it's important to find the right color. Remember, watercolor is a watery paint. This is what makes watercolor paintings light and airy, but at the same time rich and bright. Therefore, when applying the first layers, add more water - this will help avoid the “dirty work” effect.
It is worth considering that white paint, the so-called whitewash, is not used in watercolor painting, although it exists in some palettes. The brightest areas and highlights are the white paper that you leave untouched. In art stores you can buy a certain composition that can be used to cover the highlights in the portrait and the paint simply will not stick to these places.
Over time, try to limit the number of colors in your palette - this will make your work more natural and light.
It is important to identify light spots on paper; they help us perceive planality and volume.
working with color
Of course, it is impossible to achieve realism by covering the skin of the face with one color. The more different shades, the better.
Do not proceed to the next layer without completely drying the previous one - this can lead to mixing of paints right on your work (although there is a similar “wet on wet” technique, but not about it now). The artists in our workshop use a hairdryer. In this case, you should not turn on the hair dryer at full power and bring it too close.
Remember - watercolor is friends with water. And if you made a mistake, went too far with the tone, too dark - a sponge and running water will always come to your aid. Rinse off boldly (but, of course, do not overdo it).
As for technology, it is different for everyone, their own. Even when trying to copy, individual notes will eventually be visible. It's a matter of experience.
You can correct your mistakes, but consistency is even more important; don’t dwell on the details of your face. Now we need to find a color.
preparation for detailing
At this stage, it is necessary to pay special attention to maintaining similarities with the original. Don’t forget to distract yourself from the portrait from time to time (move away, turn away), because if you sit for a long time at work, after a lot of time has passed, you will simply stop noticing your mistakes.
We begin to give tone to the eyes, lips, hair - we prepare the portrait for detailing. At this stage, as a rule, errors that were previously invisible become noticeable. We eliminate it if possible.
We determine the lightest and darkest places and work on them. Not only will the copied facial features make your portrait look similar, but also the shape of the shadows.
Nags remove unnecessary pencil lines.
We look more carefully at the darkest and lightest areas of the portrait, correct it, and draw in the details.
DETAILED drawing. shutdown
And finally, the most enjoyable part of the work is the detailed drawing. Now we can see: where the shadow should be darker, where the reflex is more pronounced, where there is not enough color, and so on. We finalize these points and pick up a thin brush (as thin as you like) and begin to draw small elements of the portrait, paying special attention to the eyes, eyelashes, and hair. We control the glare - without them the drawing will not be three-dimensional.
Do not forget that what is good in a photo is not always good in a watercolor painting. The same applies to nasolabial folds, facial and age wrinkles, and so on. Such nuances need to be looked at according to the situation. We focus on the eyes.
Adding a background. You can also darken the lower part of the portrait, and then all the focus will go to the face (but in our case, this is how the background works).
Now is the time to draw the smallest details of the portrait and achieve the final likeness. The background of a painting is underestimated; it often plays a decisive role in its perception.
A portrait will be the most original gift for your loved one.
Leave a request and the artist will contact you within an hour to discuss the details of the order.
With love and trepidation, Workshop
