< A Study in Watercolor for a Home PortraitJoin

How to paint a watercolor portrait painting in 20 minutes.

Preparation

Materials used:
View info on brushes
9" x 12" cold-press watercolor block
#2B pencil
paints: Red, Yellow, Blue, Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber

Drawing

For this color study, I first did a simple drawing on 11 by 15-inch watercolor paper. This is an experimental process. I am exploring the color and value relationships between the major subjects in the painting, not addressing the details.

A color study is a process of experimental color composition and value arrangement. It is especially helpful when I need to combine two or more reference pictures for a painting. For example, in a recent watercolor painting commission, my reference pictures were two photos of maple trees, and a picture of a morning scene of the house.

How to paint a watercolor portrait painting in 20 minutes.

Start from the Main Subject

I started by laying a basic light wash on the house. Then I decided where the clouds would be and washed the sky area with blue, leaving the space where the clouds would be untouched.

 

 

How to paint a watercolor portrait painting in 20 minutes.

Add Trees Behind the House

I made the trees in various colors. You might worry that there could be too many different colors, but go ahead and try. I laid in the colors for the trees and then moved away from the background. I don’t stay in one area for too long, especially in the beginning stages of a painting.

 

 

How to paint a watercolor portrait painting in 20 minutes.

Cover the Front of the House

I mixed yellow and blue with a bit of red for a warm green for the front yard grass, then mixed burnt umber and blue for the warm gray for the driveway and the road.

 

 

How to paint a watercolor portrait painting in 20 minutes.

Add Darker Colors and Second Layer to the House

I added darker colors to the trees on the left, middle and the right. I also lightened some areas by lifting off color with my clean 1-inch flat brush. This gives the trees dimension and depth.

I wanted to add a yellow-colored tree in front of the house, so I first lifted off some color at the right of the house, then worked yellow into the area.

How to paint a watercolor portrait painting in 20 minutes.

Final Adjustments

I increased definition by introducing the darker lines and shapes and, to make an area warmer, I added a thin red glaze.