Your class project is to paint a watercolor self-portrait using a photograph of yourself for reference and share your painting in the Progress Gallery!

I'll walk you through the following:

What materials you'll need
How to choose a reference photo
3 ways to transfer your photo onto your paper
How to mix skin tones
Painting the highlights
Painting the shadows
Finalizing the details (eyes, eyebrows, clothing etc)
3 different ways to paint the background
Final Thoughts

Remember - process over perfection! Be sure to take pictures of your process to share in your project!

Once you’ve completed your artwork, upload it to the Project Gallery, so we can all have a look at what you have created.

Materials you'll need:

Paints
Brushes
Canson Watercolor Paper
Airtight Watercolor Palette or Plastic Tray (for mixing)
2 cups of Water
Paper towels
Pencil and Eraser
Printer
Printed Reference Photo of Yourself in color (size 8.5” x 11”)

Brushes

There’s a reason watercolor brushes are made for watercolor. They’re designed to hold more water and paint, and some brands do this better than others. You can technically use acrylic brushes for watercolor, but you should ONLY use watercolor brushes for watercolor. Round brushes are the best for applying large washes of paint, and for painting details. I use a size 14 round for painting large sections and a size 4 for blending and details.

Beginner Watercolor Brushes

https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-select-brush-set-brush-set-no-21-set-of-6/

Professional Watercolor Brushes

https://www.dickblick.com/items/winsor-newton-cotman-watercolor-brush-set-set-d-set-of-5-short-handle/

Palette

If you’re using pan watercolor paint you won’t need a palette you can mix your paints right in the lid. If you’ve decided to use tube paint you’ll need a tray for mixing. You can use a ceramic plate or plastic tray, I save plastic trays from the deli and wash them thoroughly before use. You can reduce waste by sealing your mixing tray with plastic or placing it in a Tupperware container. Just add water to reactivate your paints when you’re ready to use them again. An Airtight Watercolor Palette is perfect for saving paint and traveling on the go.

Basic Palette
https://www.dickblick.com/items/10-well-plastic-tray-6-34-diameter-white/

Airtight Watercolor Palette

https://www.dickblick.com/products/mijello-fusion-airtightleakproof-palettes/

https://www.amazon.com/18-Wells-Watercolor-Moisturizing-Foldable-Portable/dp/B07R5GC1HR/ref=sr_1_24?crid=2YL8D2NXPVUUO&dchild=1&keywords=airtight+watercolor+palette&qid=1617500033&sprefix=Airtight+watercolor+pa%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-24

Watercolor Paper

Watercolor paper comes in cold press and hot press. If you’re just becoming aquainted with watercolor I suggest 300 gram cold press because it’s semi-smooth which makes it easy for sketching and transferring images. My favorite is Canson Watercolor paper 300 gram.

Canson Watercolor Paper

https://www.dickblick.com/items/canson-xl-watercolor-pad-9-x-12-euro-fold-30-sheets/

Strathmore Watercolor Paper

https://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-400-series-watercolor-paper-pads/

Paints

https://www.michaels.com/12-color-watercolor-paint-set-by-artists-loft-necessities/10125734.html

TIP!! Search your phone or computer - You probably already have the perfect selfie!

Your photo should be clear and in focus
Choose a selfie that doesn’t include distracting backgrounds
Make sure no one else is in the image

My Links
www.ericawhiting.com

Let's be friends on Instagram!
@ericawhitingartist

Greg Brynildsen

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