Watercolour Painting

Lesson 1: LET'S VALUE OUR PAINTING

WATER COLOUR MINIATURES

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NOTE: Here we have the measurements of the face by using the eye: The face is 5 eyes across and one eye measurement as shown on the image.

The miniature will always be something special; even though it was born back in the 19th century. Watercolour miniatures are unique and many of the early ones were painted in “Egg Tempera”, (that is the paint pigment mixed with the yolk of an egg). Nowadays we can achieve almost the same technique by adding White gouache to our colours

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The first miniature is in straight watercolours and painted in delicate tones to achieve a transparent quality.

Step 1. I chose the Daler/ Rowney Cartridge Paper, as it has a pale cream appearance. This miniature (like most) was done from a photograph. So many middle tones had to be ignored, and just the main skin values were painted in. The sketch was done with an HB pencil. It was imperative that the features were correctly aligned before I committed paint to paper. Using a No.3 brush, the shadows were painted in with Vermilion Red. I did not wet the paper.

Step 2. A light wash of Cadmium Red was painted into the cheeks and lips.

Step 3. Blue was used for the eyes. (I made sure the eyes were left clear).

Step 4. I painted Yellow Ochre into the hair, with a touch of Brown in the shadows.

Step 5. Pale Green was used for the clothing; with deeper tones for the shadows.

Step 6. With a No.0 brush I painted the brows, eyelashes and nostrils with Brown; also some detail in the ears.

Step 7. A light wash of Cadmium Red was painted into the background; taking the colour up to the hairline and clothes, but leaving some paper to show in the corners and base of the painting.

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We move on now to a different approach where we add and achieve a more opaque look to the miniature. The same paper was used, as I find it perfect for detailed work.

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Step 1. Once again I sketched the subject and applied the first painting to the dry paper. I first painted Naples Yellow over the face; and when dry I began with the shadows of the face; using Venetian Red.

Step 2. The cheeks and lips were painted with Cadmium Red.(A highlight of White in the bottom lip)

Step 3. Yellow Ochre was used for the hair; with shadows painted in Burnt Umber.

Step 4. The hat was given a wash of Sap Green, as well as the frock.

Step 5. White was painted in heavily to form the folds and lacy edge.

Step 6. I painted the eyes Blue, and highlighted with a pinpoint of White.

Step 7. Eyebrows, lashes and nostrils were Brown.

Step 8. White was painted above the eyes and down the nose. Also on the chin and cheek with a fine reflected light painted on the side of the face. This gave a nice glow as the Naples Yellow showed through.

Step 9. Naples Yellow was used to highlight some strands of hair.

Step 10.A pale wash of Yellow Ochre was painted into the background.This heavier technique seemed to lend itself to this particular subject.Miniatures can be time consuming but so rewarding.

Did you find the face measurments a help to achieve your likeness? Always check before you apply the paint.

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