Portraits
In this 6-part online series, we will uncover the tools you need to build watercolour portraits!
It’s a bit like drinking out of a firehose (according to my students…and I’m sure they’re right!). My goal is to equip you as an artist. Not to become a copycat of me or my style, but as you grow into your own style, I want you to be able to see more, to know HOW to translate what you see into the painting you want to paint.
To help you get closer to that point, we will:
Explore the key elements in capturing likeness, take a look at just how influential values are to this process, and develop the skills to SEE and notate those values in preparation for painting.
You will: make a values drawing.Talk a “little bit” about story and personality, and how our artistic choices guide the direction of our portrait.
You will: make your own artistic choices that direct your portrait.Look at skin tones…or the lack of such a thing!…and learn about an approach to seeing and capturing lively color in portraits.
You will: mix your own ‘portrait’ colors and apply them in a wet-in-wet base layer.Think about colour and how to use the theory we know to glaze colour into something new…shifting tones that aren’t quite right, adding depth and vibrance, setting the final tone in the fewest smooth layers possible ;)
You will: apply color theory to shift your colors and glaze your way to your final intended colors.Study hair. Yes, there is a little bit in this painting…and it’s a little trippy the way that we ‘see hair’ in order to paint it. But I promise, at whatever level you want to see and therefore paint hair, this will help!
You will: learn to mark, and paint hair with a negative space approach.
Practically, what can you expect? Conversation, questions, slides and examples, demonstration of each step, making a values drawing, wet-in-wet base layers, glazing to final layers, dry details, lots of tweaks ;) Oh, and some fun watercolor magic in that bandana!!
I hope you come away seeing more. I hope your confidence grows. I hope you connect some new dots, and find skills you didn’t know you had.
This class is a welcoming place…there are NO bad questions, I LOVE questions! Why? Well, because of that very question…why?! We all come in with a unique combination of experience and learning and way of painting. Regardless of whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at this for awhile, questions point you toward an answer you didn’t have before!
WHO? This class is perfect for all levels of painters…bring your curiosity, questions, and willingness to learn!
COST: $200 Includes 6 live sessions + downloadable resources
*Download includes: reference image, values sketch to learn/compare, teaching guides/materials for you to print. See Supply List for what YOU need to have to do this class.
Format
Online Sessions
Each session will be taught live, online. Join in with all your supplies, and paint along with us. Because this assumes students are painting along, JUST watching might feel a bit slow. The recording will be uploaded shortly after, for your review or for those who missed the online session.
Dates: June 10th & 24th, July 8th & 22nd, August 12th & 26th
Feedback and Critique
Online sessions are optimized for teaching and demonstration first, but then for answering student questions, providing quick demonstrations to illustrate concepts as you run into quibbles with your paint, and providing feedback while you work. Following the live session (Wed), you will have 11 days to submit photos or video of your work for additional feedback before the next session.
Video Access
The online session will be uploaded and shared shortly after each live session, for you to go back to anytime!
Registration Info
Registration is required.
Payment In Full In Advance Only.
The class will be held online from 5pm-8pm CST.
June 10th & 24th | July 8th & 22nd | August 12th & 26th
Participants can join in our live sessions, paint along, ask questions, and get live feedback.
If you are unable to join for the live session, the video will be posted soon after and you will be provided with a link to watch the lesson.