Basic People Painting Techniques in Watercolor

Since watercolor is a fast-moving medium, as well as often unforgiving, many novice watercolorists avoid painting people. New painters are typically afraid to paint people or portraits, fearing they won't be able to paint all the details or skin tones correctly. However, when painting figures in watercolor you can make just a few marks, allowing them to "suggest" a figure rather than be concerned about every details. Ironically, it is the simplicity of figures that draws attention to a watercolor painting.

Because figures are generally only blobs of light and dark shapes, look for shapes. Rather than paint with the tip of your round watercolor brush, drag the brush in a downward position, doing it one stroke. When painting figures, clothing usually should be brighter than the other areas of the painting. To draw attention to figures, paint striped clothing and have them carry something, such as bags.

Even when painting figures you need to know some anatomy to keep the body shapes in perspective. For example, height (from head to toe) is equal to seven heads. It takes three head widths to equal the width of the shoulder. Half a body height equals a leg length. When arms hang freely down, make them halfway down the thigh. Also, relate the size of figures to their surroundings, such as windows and doors.

Portraits are close-ups of people rather than distant figures in a crowd. Therefore, they do involve more detail, although it is still based on shapes, noting lights and darks. After lightly sketching in a detailed outline, paint a light undercoat covering the entire facial and neck area. Instead of a watercolor that is flesh-colored, paint with mixtures. For example, flesh tones are mixtures of light reds with touches of colors, such as sepia. Skin looks cooler where the bone is closer to the surface, while eyes and foreheads are cooler than areas of the cheeks.

Follow the direction the hair grows. When adding colors, add one at a time, waiting until each color dries before applying the next pigment. Allow colors to blend softly along the hair's edges, being careful not to paint hard edges. Tones vary on blonde hair from white to where the light hits hair to close to black in areas where it is in shadows.

When painting in watercolor the trick for suggesting reflected light lies in the amount of water in the brush. Using too much watercolor can result in the paint spreading into a weak puddle, causing your painting to lose intensity. On the other hand, a lack of water will cause color to streak. Because it takes practice in blending smoothly from light to dark values, it is good to first practice on scrap paper.

Don't make the same types of standard figures, but vary the sizes of your figures. Just as in real life, some figures are short, while others are tall. Some are stout and others have willowy shapes.