Today, May 18, I launch my newest video tutorial. How to paint a portrait in watercolour. Continue reading “How to paint a portrait in watercolour”
How to paint a portrait in watercolour
Portrait in watercolour
A technique with many secrets.
Once in a while, I am asked why I don´t teach how to paint a portrait in watercolour.
Let me first start with a quote by Charles Reid in if famous book “Portrait painting in watercolor”
“For me, watercolor is a spontaneous and suggestive medium, and I find using it an exiting adventure. I´ve heard several “myths“ about painting with watercolor, and I disagree with them all. For example, I´ve heard it said that you can´t make any corrections or changes with this medium.”
Commissioned portraits from photography
To speak with Richard Schmid in his fantastic book “Alla Prima ll” and I repeat his words when it comes to commissioned portraits from photography.
Photos are often the only way we can have access to certain subjects.
Imagine: All my customers live throughout Europe. It is impossible to travel with my all painting stuff around my neck to the sitters home. Staying there for a couple of days and do the job there. Apart from the fact that clients certainly do not have the time to pose for several days. And then I’m not even talking about additional problems with portraying small children.
So there is no argument against portrait painting from photography. I say it once again loudly and clearly. And for the umpteenth time, of course, it is essential to study from observation. That is the basis of your artistic skills. But one does not exclude the other. Certainly not if it is about a commissioned portrait. The invention of photography is thus a blessing for us, portrait painters. I know this world from within and know what I’m talking about. Almost all of my colleagues use photographic reference, but many talk mysteriously about it.
Details in portrait painting
Beginning painters often put in too many details in portrait painting and make them too sharp. For example: Cutting edges around the eyes, hard red lips, pointed corners of the mouth etc. etc. Why? One of the pitfalls is associated with working from photography.
Portraits and landscapes show
Once back, safe and sound from my portrait painting workshops in France, I started the preparations for my show “portraits and landscapes” here in the village, in August. The titel will be: “Portraits of Chelva”. Landscapes and Plain-air paintings of the Chelva surroundings. Also a number of portraits of local people, from our weekly live-model sessions in my studio. I brought some 40 paintings to the frame maker. Continue reading “Portraits and landscapes show”
Portrait painting from observation
Despite of the fact that I often do portrait painting from photography, I really must emphasize again, that portrait painting from observation is important. Study as much as you can from a life model sitting in front of you.
Training your drawing skills is fundamental. Accompanying a study I made last Tuesday night. I used Terra Rosa (Winsor & Newton) mixed with a little bit of Burnt Umber (Rembrandt Talens.)
Oil painting technique.
This post is about brushes for oil painting technique. As you may have noticed, recently I was able to dedicate more attention to landscape painting. It took a long time; I was too busy with my portrait commissions. The surroundings of the town of Chelva, where we live, are beautiful and very picturesque. There are countless places asking to be painted. And that is what I do. Continue reading “Oil painting technique.”