Portrait Painting From Photograph - Colorful Watercolor

Hi there!

In this lesson we'll talk about everything you will need to paint beautiful colorful portraits.

Practice over tools

I want to first put this entire lesson in the right perspective and context.

Your skills are much more important than the tools you use. You can have all the best paints, brushes and paper. But if you don't work and apply what you learn, you won't make progress.

On the other hand, you'll be surprised at what can be achieved using "lame" materials.

Your tools should work with you

With that being said, you don't want your tools working against you. This is especially true in watercolor painting, which can be quite a wild medium.

This is why I'm going to detail several tools and brands you can't go wrong with.

Paper is KING

One last point before I share the actual tools.

Paper, in my opinion, is the most important part that you don't want to skimp on. You can do wonders with bad paints or brushes. You may have to work harder, but it won't necessaerily show in the final result.

But bad paper? That will definitely show!

Okay then, so let's get started...!

THE TOOLS YOU'LL NEED

Paper

I highly recommend the following brands:

• Saunders-Waterford
• Arches

These are the two I can vouch for 100%. I've been using these extensively and they are wonderful.

I prefer cold-press paper (a paper that has some texture, unlike hot-press which is smooth).

I also prefer a heavy one, such as a 600gsm. But for most people that's an overkill, and 300gsm will suffice. I wouldn't recommend going under 300gsm though, because the paper will start buckling more significantly.

Paints

There brands I love the most and csan whole-heartedly recommend are:

• Daniel Smith (popular in the US)
• Schmincke Horadam (common in Europe, as it's a German brand)
• PWC (Korean brand)
• SAA (if you are in the UK these should be easy to get)

These are all great. 

In this course I'll be using my Daniel Smith paints, but I actually own tubes from all other brands as well, and use them on a regular basis.

Pencils

You can't go wrong with a medium (HB) pencil, sometimes known as a #2 pencil.

If you want stronger, darker lines you can go with a 4B or a 6B pencil.  Their advantage is that the first few watercolor washes will erase them, as they have softer lead.

Tape

Any tape will do, as long as it's the "paper" kind of tape, and not the transparent / brown plastic type. This is important to avoid tearing, and these just see to work better.

Eraser

I suggest using a kneaded eraser. That's the type that you can knead into different shapes.

Its advantages are that it's less rough on the paper (which is important in watercolor especially), and that it doesn't leave any debris!

Conclusion

And this is everything you'll need for this course. Don't go crazy with materials (paints and brushes especially can be quite expensive). Get what you need and focus more on your skills (:

- Liron

Hi there, thank you for joining me in another lesson!

In this one we'll briefly discuss what a good reference photograph is. We'll also talk about how to edit a reference photograph to be more suitable for painting.

Then, I'll share with you the photograph we'll be using in this course. 

I also attach the two photos to this lesson's resources.

• Image 1 is the original photograph
• Image 2 is the posterized photograph we will paint from (I reduced the number of values to 6)

Here's also a link to the original photograph: https://pixabay.com/en/model-women-s-black-and-white-2411691/

- Liron

Hi there, Liron again here!

In this lessom I'll present you with three drawing methods:

1. Observation
2. Grid
3. Paper on paper

Drawing from observation is by far the most versatile and freeing way of drawing. It's simply a valuable skill to have.

With that being said, as portraits are a very challenging subject, I want to share with you the other methods. 

That way, I hope to make these lessons accessbile to as many people as possible.

Paper on paper

In this course we will focus on the third method - paper on paper. In my opinion it's the best one to guarantee accurate results.

It can take some time to get used to, but once you get the hang of it you'll be able to draw the entire face in an accurate manner.

Then you can simultaneously work on your observation skills and improve that aspect as well.

I hope you enjoy this one!

- Liron

Hi there!

In this lesson I show you how to prepare for the paper on paper method, and how to start using it.

I hope you enjoy this one!

- Liron

Hi there, Liron here!

In this lesson I demo the complete drawing process, using the paper on paper method.

Draw the right things

Note how I'm focusing on values, shadows and highlights.

When drawing for a painting, it's important to draw lines that will guide us throughout the painting process successfully. These tend to relate to light and shadow.

You also want to make sure you get a good balance. 

You don't need to draw every single value change, and every small detail. You want to draw JUST ENOUGH so that you can come back with a brush and let the paint do most of the work.

I attached to the resources two pictures I took of the final result of the drawing. I wanted you to have a closer look at it (:

- Liron

Hi there, Liron here!

In this lesson I talk about the approach I'll take to painting this portrait.

I also show the exact colors I'll be using:

• Phthalo Blue
• Quinacridone Rose
• Hansa Yellow Medium
• Carbazole Violet

These are all Daniel Smith paints.

And as I mention in the video, they can easily be replaced by a different trio of blue, red and yellow.

Remember that colors are secondary to the drawing and values (;

- Liron

Hi there!

In this lesson I'll demonstrate painting the first two washes.

Originally, this was supposed to be only one wash. But because I didn't feel like the first one was dark enough I decided to add another one.

My main concerns at this stage are quite simple:

• Avoid the highlights
• Use a variety of colors
• Make sure everything is merged together with a minimum amount of hard edges

This is the stage to go wild and not worry too much. Later on, when we get the details in, more accuracy will be necessary.

I attach to the resources a picture I took of the painting at this stage.

- Liron

Hi there, Liron again!

This stage of the painting is, in my opinion, the hardest and most complex.

The mid-values are many times the ones that really bring a painting together. It's the part that requires the most concentration.

At this stage I also aspire to keep everything connected. So I'll connect any and all shadows I can.

I want to remind you that I sped-up the video slightly, so that it isn't WAY too long. Be sure to work slower then me. I recommend working as slowly as possible, while maintaining an even wash and avoiding allowing the paint to dry.

I hope you are starting to see this coming together into a colorful and beautiful portrait.

- Liron

Hi there, Liron here.

We are at the very final stages of this painting.

This is the part for adding the finer details, as well as the background.

This will really make things pop, and will complete this painting.

I want to note again, that I sped up the video (as this process is rather long). Be sure to work slower than me (;

There's no need to hurry, especially at this stage when you have even more control.

I attach to the resources several pictures I took of the final painting, to give you a better view.

- Liron

Liron here, once again!

In this video I conclude the course and talk about everything we've done.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to become your teacher.

I enjoy this the most, and it wouldn't have been possible without you (:

I hope to see you around on my YouTube channel, podcast and other courses.

Take care and best of luck in your artistic journey!

Truly yours,

- Liron