In this class I will guide you through painting an expressive watercolour portrait, combining carefully observed facial features with much looser, more spontaneous passages of colour and brushwork. The portrait has a strong sense of character, but it is not about rendering every detail. Instead, we will explore how selective detail, value, colour, and edge control can do much of the storytelling.

The face remains the calm centre of the painting, with particular attention given to the eyes, nose and lips, while the blonde hair gives us freedom to work with transparent washes, broken marks, and warm earthy colour. Around the figure, areas of blue, ochre, splashes, drips, and unfinished passages allow the portrait to gradually dissolve into something more abstract and expressive.

One of the most interesting challenges with blonde hair is learning to paint light rather than simply filling it with yellow. We will use the white of the paper, subtle warm and cool shifts, and carefully placed darker accents to suggest individual strands and larger masses without overworking them.

Throughout the class, we will also look at the balance between realism and abstraction. Some areas need enough clarity to establish likeness and character, while others can remain loose, broken, or almost completely unresolved. It is this contrast that gives the painting its freshness and energy.

In this class you will learn:

• Ways to simplify a portrait into large shapes, values, and clear facial planes
• Techniques for creating luminous skin through transparent layers and subtle temperature shifts
• How blonde hair can be suggested using reserved paper, flowing washes, and selective darker marks
• The importance of edge variety, allowing some areas to remain crisp while others soften or disappear
• How carefully placed dark accents around the eyes and features can create focus and character
• A more expressive approach to the surrounding hair, clothing, and background using splashes, loose marks, and abstract shapes
• How warm ochres and skin tones can interact with cooler blues to create lively colour harmony
• The value of knowing what to describe clearly and what to leave open and suggestive

This class is ideal for painters who want to explore portraiture without feeling that every part of the painting needs to be perfectly rendered. Whether you paint along or simply watch the process, the ideas of observation, restraint, abstraction, and selective focus can be applied to portraits of all kinds.

Thank you so much for your interest in this class!

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Try this class to explore your creativity...

I’ve been painting for many years now, taken part in many exhibitions around the world and won awards from well respected organisations. As well as having my work feature in art magazines. After having success selling my originals and 1000s of prints around the world, I decided to start traveling with my brushes and paintings. My style is modern and attempts to grasp the essence of what I’m painting whilst allowing freedom and expression to come through. I simplify complicated subjects into easier shapes that encourages playfulness.

You'll Learn:

What materials and equipment to need to painting along
Basic technique to complete your first painting
How to avoid common mistakes
Choosing the right colours for your painting
How to blend colours and create textures for different effects
Making corrections and improvements
Finishing touches that make a big difference

When enrolled, I’ll include my complete ‘Watercolour Mixing Charts’. These are a huge aid for beginners and experts alike. They show what every colour on the palette looks like when mixed with each other. Indispensable when it comes to choosing which colour to mix.

Don’t forget to follow me on Skillshare. Click the “follow” button and you’ll be the first to know as soon as I launch a new course or have a big announcement to share with my students.

Additional Resources:

Here are the art supplies I recommend
Follow me on Instagram
Check out my website

Music by Audionautix.com

Emma Zou

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