Painting simple watercolour figures

Demonstration of simple figures in watercolour (watercolor) that help add life, scale and movement into your scenes. The brush is an Art Basic golden nylon rigger #6, code 1365-R. It is my go to figure painting brush in preference to one with a pointy tip.
This tutorial is designed for anyone from absolute beginners to those looking to pick up new skills.
If you have feedback, comments or suggestions for new videos please pop them in the comments section below. I also love to see the work you are doing so please feel free to share.
Sign up for my newsletter at www.cherylbrucecreativ.com/workshops for information about in person and online classes as well as other video tutorial snippets. Check out my Instagram - cheryl.bruce.creativ
My favourite supplies are Arches or Saunders Waterford rough 300GSM paper and most of my paints are Windsor & Newton artist quality.
My palette generally consists of - (all W&N unless specified) French Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Turquoise, Alizarin Crimson, Rose Madder Genuine, Cad Red Light, Schminke Cad Red Orange, Light Red, Brown Madder, Neutral Tint, Yellow Ochre, Naples Yellow, Cad Yellow Light, Indian Yellow, Diox Purple, Green Gold, Indigo, Pyrolene Green, Holbein Lavender, Art Spectrum Australian Grey, Art Spectrum White Gouache.
Depending on the subject matter I will add some other colours to my palette as needed. When I am working on flowers I add some pinks like Quin Magenta, and Purple Lake to the mix.
The brushes will soon be available on my website www.cherylbrucecreativ.com/shop as they are a bit tricky to source so I have decided to stock them myself. It is a weasel hair brush that can be widened out to a flattish tip which I find great for a range of mark making.
--
Tags -
Cheryl Bruce, Cheryl Bruce Creativ, Watercolor, watercolour, watercolour tutorial, learn watercolour, learn watercolor, drawing, painting, learn to paint, Australian artist, watercolour tutor, watercolor tutor, tutorials, travel teacher, international workshop tutor, art, painting tutorials, art tutorials
#watercolorlandscape #landscapepainting #countryscene #paintingtrees

[@bdcorgimom]

I learned a lot from watching this!

[@ChrisHobelArt]

The best I’ve found on little figures, thanks Cheryl 😊

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Wow, thank you! I'm about to do some larger (mid sized) figures with a little more detail for my 1 week 100 people challenge, so I will do another video soon.

[@apaperylife2096]

This was so helpful! Thank you. It’s amazing how you made the people come to life with simple strokes!

[@marykendrick4304]

Painting people is always a challenge. Thanks for the detailed instruction

[@dpelpal]

This is one of the best tutorials I've ever seen on KZbin. Thank you!

[@veerlewitdouck9831]

You are brilliant! One of the best tutorials I have seen!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Wow, thank you!

[@LillyAugusta]

OK lady...you're good! :) This is a watercolour tutorial, but you have a skilled drawing. That's the most important thing to solve before you do anything. If you're going to do watercolours of the figures or portraits... you better master drawing (as you do) before taking a brush in your hands. It's obvious you got formal education. I finished the Academy of fine arts 25 years ago, and I always admired those who did great in watercolour... like Chuck Close. I did a lot of techniques, but I never got into watercolours myself. Great job! Thanks for the vid! Cheers!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thank you Lilly for your lovely comment. I have consciously worked on my drawing skills in the past 3 years and it does make so much difference to painting skill and confidence (which I didn't really realise prior). I don't have any formal training, just love to do workshops with artists whose style or technique I admire. Always learning!

[@LillyAugusta]

@@cherylbrucecreativ Wow, that's even better! Your talent is obvious, and to be honest, I did (and probably other students too) learn the most from other students at the time and working aside. That is the advantage of being in Art school, not so much anything else. If you have a chance to work with other good artists, that's gold and valuable, just like being in Academy, even better. In my country, you don't have that opportunity; it's a very tight and closed community. Artists don't hang out and work together unless they're drinking in the bar, lol. It's lovely to see your gracious and sense moves. Drawing is the foundation, but not any drawing, linear as you do, is the path, observing, analysing and understanding the structure and possibilities. Good luck, and I wish you success! Cheers!

[@roberthope5984]

“Ok lady your good”? You sound a bit rude!

[@sonseraedesigns7167]

This is brilliant. Thank you. I have wanted to put more people in my watercolors and this is a great way to practice simplifying humans. Thanks again! Excellent video.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

just practising little rows of these kind of figures as you sit and watch tv makes all the difference.

[@GM-yn9nc]

Love your tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@SandyGaskettArt]

So great Cheryl. I paint lots of figures on beaches, and hadn't approached it like this. Thank you for some ideas and great tips.

[@antalantal2366]

Beautiful and very useful video.Thank you for posting!

[@ElaineFoster101]

She's so GOOD at that! THANKS for the demonstration. Excellent.

[@oliviaberdjouhi]

Extremely helpful, loved this video!

[@soundcheck6885]

What an excellent tutorial!

[@boyandbelugee]

Lovely. Thank you very much for this demo.❤

[@susanyoung6331]

I am so excited about this video! Thank-you!

[@alisonwonderland4438]

This is a brilliant tutorial! Thank you ☺️

[@jaclee6]

very helpful tutorial, thanks for sharing!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@behappyhealthy1147]

Excellent job! Thx so much for your sharing!

[@cpnoboat7659]

Wow! That worked for me. I'm practicing right now. Thank you!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear it

[@bethhutchinson1518]

This was great!! Thank you!

[@mermaid01]

Thank you! I haven't been successful with feet(shoes) or hands, but you have simplified my thoughts and you are (in my opinion) absolutely correct - subscribed today 😁🙏🏻

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Glad it was helpful! For small figures, the less you do with feet and hands the better I think. But of course sometimes our figures are larger and do need more detail !

[@miekemiddelhuis3782]

I love it, thank you!

[@VickiParfenow]

Love these tips. Thanks 😊 for sharing.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

You are so welcome!

[@buddyblondell1507]

Thank you so much for sharing your talent and knowledge. As a true beginner, I learned so much. I look forward to viewing your ther tutorials. Cheers!

[@mostho]

Your way is brilliant. Thanks for sharing

[@veronikacansever8411]

За 20 минут я научилась тому, что не могла постичь последние полгода! Очень вам признательна! Благодарю! ❤

[@allcotup]

Cheryl you had me mesmerized by this amazing vid!! I've subscribed and hope to learn a lot from you. Thanks you 💕💕

[@LearningPointsDD]

Wow, impressive art work, friend. Keep it up.

[@Evekerlz]

Loved this. It's shown me how much I need to loosen up. Thank you!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

So glad it was helpful! Loosening up is much harder than becoming more detailed

[@shinanbarclay67]

what fun! and Inspiration. thank you

[@olivierdeme3886]

Thank you. Great tutorial. Very useful.

[@christinelubanski9880]

Thank you Cheryl, a very helpful little video. 👏🌼😊

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

thanks Christine, so glad it was helpful!

[@nancybrink3701]

excellent turtorial. thank you so much

[@sarahbrownell25]

Amazing !!

[@lucygiles8216]

brilliant, hugely helpful thank you 😊

[@susancook1617]

I’ve just found your channel. Lovely video and very helpful, thank you.

[@c.t.5130]

Great tips. Thank you

[@stevegreenfield6631]

Yes, very helpful....especially the dry brush legs. Thank you.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

You are so welcome! The dry brush legs definitely give more movement

[@zeinaatik]

It's a very interesting video, thank you for sharing it to us

[@DonnaDyer]

Love this!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thank you

[@francoisederocher]

Wonderful! Reminds me of Hazel Soan's figure. Hope to see more.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thank you Francoise, I am about to do a series of ten x ten mins of ten different techniques. They will be launched through my newsletter links.

[@MrPeterjba]

good stuff cheryl, thanks.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

thanks Pierre!

[@pthaloblue100]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@vikaskatre7695]

Superb demo of human figures...!!! Thank u Madam...

[@lynetterosario5697]

So nice and simple! ❤

[@queeneywarren9474]

You make it so easy and so simple

[@terryreknaw6152]

Fantastic 👍👍

[@finearts383]

So beautiful coloring. I love this kind of videos so I will follow your channel

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thank you so much 😀

[@guylainemorinstudio7869]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@lovdolls]

Very much enjoyed doing this tutorial with you.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ireneurban3599]

great lesson! thank you!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thanks you, you're very welcome!

[@raeporter3896]

Fantastic

[@GKganesan]

I have just started painting. This is exceedingly useful. Thank you ever so much for these useful little tips!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@nickworley1000]

Just what I was looking for thanks 😊

[@shahrzadafshinpour5847]

Thank you so much. You are kind to share. Amazing teacher and artist.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thank you so much!

[@andrewknapp703]

So helpful. Thanks

[@JohnSmith-fh3tf]

Perfect

[@junuzee]

Very nice and easy to understand! I was wondering if a tutorial on people and crowds could walking sideways , sitting , and in different gestures and poses including running , sports like tennis , soccer, cricket could be great!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Hi, there is a tutorial in my line up with some figures walking across the scene, and a sitting figure (though that is more about the face). I don't really paint people in sporting positions so I don't know that I would be suitably able to demonstrate this to be honest. I've done a few horse riding figures but that's about it for sports. I will do something relating to people sitting - ie for a cafe scene though.

[@carolpenn1155]

Really helpful. Thank you 🎨

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

You’re welcome 😊

[@narayanstar7787]

Great people.

[@deanski219]

HELLO CHERYL, NADINE HERE. I JUST FOUND YOUR VIDEOS SO GLAD TO HEAR YOU TEACHING. VIDEO IS WONDERFUL!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

I'm so glad you found me Nadine !

[@gailmariage5318]

I've been wanting this. Thanks. First time to your channel.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Hope you enjoy and find lots of interest and assistance

[@luannedimaggio7025]

Wonderful

[@joanoconnor18]

Thanks for excellent demonstration.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lyndasmith593]

I really enjoyed that. I've never been able to do believable people now I know what I'm doing wrong. Thank you

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

You are so welcome. I hope you are happier with your people now. I haven't seen yours to know but a common mistake is a large round head which then makes the whole body look out of proportion. Have fun with your figures!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

I am about to create a series of 10x10 min videos which will be shared to my email newsletter list - to jump on it and see them first pop your details in the sign up box on my website - www.cherylbrucecreativ.com/workshops

Very nice, thank you.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thank you!

[@jolly_bean]

Passed by instagram and wow your art is so pretty

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

thank you for stopping by instagram!

[@shaunsart]

Thank you so much

[@Roman-is4jj]

Thank you, now I can put some figures into my perspective drawings

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Excellent, I'm so glad to hear that.

[@dianakoeppel3492]

Thank you! This was very helpful!👍

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephaniecorbett5356]

Thank you so much for your really good tutorial… excellent and so helpful.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@finearts383]

You are talent

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

thank you!

[@robfielding100]

Nice tips. Nobody ever seems to paint / draw people walking across the scene … which I need help with😃

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Do you mean side on as though walking across a street with the viewer/painter seeing them side on?

[@robfielding100]

@@cherylbrucecreativ Yes that's it!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Rob I have just loaded a side on people video -kzbin.info/www/bejne/aanVpIiXd5poh6s

[@conniemesce4093]

❤

[@jojones7474]

That was such a helpful video, thank you so much, I’ll definitely be practicing in my sketchbooks! Can I ask what that brush was that you were using?

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Hi Jo, the brush is an Art Basic golden nylong rigger #6, code 1365-R. It is my go to figure painting brush in preference to one with a pointy tip.

[@jojones7474]

@@cherylbrucecreativ thank you so much! 😊

[@SIMPLEARTSCRAFTS]

Wow! Hello! You have a very cool channel on KZbin. Very cool work. You are a very talented person. God bless you and your entire family! I wish you and your channel prosperity! May you have a million subscribers! Keep making new videos!!! You're cool! ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 Like! Like!

[@deborahtaylor7902]

so helpful and easy! if u have time to do a video on placing these little people in a scene that would be really helpful! I need help with perspective and proportion! thanks!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Great idea! I will work on that soon! A tip in the mean time if you are drawing a streetscene for instance with doorways/windows to find the size of the furthermost person, I consider what their head height or my head if I was standing in the closest doorway. That gives me the eyeline for all of the heads on the page. I will demo this soon though.

[@MoMaryR]

@@cherylbrucecreativ That would be such a helpful video.

[@robnotara2868]

Thanks.. easy explanation for the uninitiated

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thank you, so glad you found it easy to follow

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

so excited by the mug you dropped over! thank you!

[@shohjahon2804]

Menga yoqdi

[@finight5863]

🙏 together we will overcome Pandemic! Tasty! 🌺🌺 ❤❤❤ ❤❤❤ ❤❤❤️ Keep on dancing!

[@ginabisaillon2894]

I wish someone would do this kind of demo, but with gouache!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Gina you might like to look at the gouache work of Lena Rivo. I'm not sure if she is on KZbin but she has some online courses which are great. I've watched but barely cracked out my gouaches

[@ginabisaillon2894]

@@cherylbrucecreativ I know her work well. She doesn't do demos of this type.

[@jurgenpagels7496]

enchantingly alive

[@kdj.imagery4317]

In this demonstration, are you mixing the colors on your palate or just putting down color over color? I'm struggling with mixing colors on my palate. I end up using too much water when mixing colors, is there any mediums that I could use to thicken the paint? I have some gum arabic would that help? Cheers!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Hi, I am mixing on my palette, and particularly for my dark mixes I need thick paint so it must be from the tube, not a pan. It can be tube paint that is squeezed into a pan, but I know I can't get thick rich darks from pans. Some of the dark colours do dry harder ie I use Brown Madder instead of Burnt Sienna in my mix with Ultramarine Blue because it is a richer redder dark, and it doesn't dry as hard, so I can always dig my brush in under the skin that forms on the top to get a thick pigment. I don't know much about mediums because I haven't needed to use them. If you are finding you are adding a lot of water accidentally another tip is to not clean your brush between colours when you are mixing because this adds water when you might not want it. I don't worry about dirtying the colour on the palette because I am generally using the same colours for mixing and rarely use them on their own.

[@kdj.imagery4317]

@@cherylbrucecreativ Yes, I am using paint from a tube versus pans and when I take some color and put it onto my pallet I rinse my brush but then blot it on a paper towel to just slightly dampen the brush with the next color I plan too use. Sorry if this doesn't make any sense, just have a hard time explaining it. I think what it comes down too is, like someone replied earlier saying that I'm trying too use cheap student grade materials. I'm not afraid of experimenting, it's just very costly too make mistakes when it comes too trying something new not knowing if it will work any differently.

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

I would like to see a watercolor figures video that instructs specific to female figures. Female figures are hard for me to paint. I need some help!

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Great idea! I will keep this in mind for future videos. I do notice when I paint street scene most people wear jeans/shorts/trousers! I am a skirt/dress wearer so I will think about a future tutorial

[@laurencegarnier7529]

I love it! thank you very much… what are the references of the green brush, please?

[@laurencegarnier7529]

Sorry ! I didn’t see your answer to the previous question.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

the brush is an Art Basic golden nylong rigger #6, code 1365-R. It is my go to figure painting brush in preference to one with a pointy tip.

[@WCA113]

Great video

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thanks!

[@rupchanddas4355]

Kon video khub bhalo laglo

[@rupchanddas4355]

Songe songe tumi je thak janiy dile

[@LysaJohnsaju]

Wow... wonderful 👌👌 I joined here because I want to see all your videos Inviting you to my place 🙏

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Thanks for visiting, and having me in your place!

[@NLSmith-qe4sg]

Which brush are you using please?

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Hi, the brush is an Art Basics Golden Nylon Rigger code 1365-R in a number 6. It is my go to figure brush in preference to a pointy tip brush

[@triptisartwork]

Very useful! Thank you. ❤️ Just one small thing, I felt your voice was inaudible sometimes. I had to put my phone on full volume to listen.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

I’m so sorry Tripti, my family always tell me I am a mumbler! I am being more aware of the sound for the coming videos.

[@triptisartwork]

@@cherylbrucecreativ Haha! Thank you! It's always helpful when artists are talking through their process.

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

@@triptisartwork hehe now you know my secret of why I usually don’t have any sound on mine!

[@triptisartwork]

@@cherylbrucecreativ And I'm also glad you didn't speed up the video 😁

[@zineidesalome1073]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🖼️🖼️🖼️🎨🎨🎨🎨

[@margoknight5451]

Bathing suits?

[@c.g.c2067]

They seem to be all the same height

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

Yes, they are for this tutorial. Obviously the artist can vary the heights somewhat - plus add children, dogs etc, but for the purpose of keeping the tutorial short I did them as though they are quite distant so generally the heights appear similar. The newer video with people walking side on into the scene shows variety of heights but more in relation to the people being closer or further away from the viewer.

[@c.g.c2067]

@@cherylbrucecreativ It would be nice to give a hint about what clothing they are wearing; shirt, jeans, trousers, t-shirt etc. Maybe it doesn’t work at that scale. Anyway congratulation just a couple of strokes makes your imagination the biggest tool we have

[@cherylbrucecreativ]

@@c.g.c2067 yes, at this scale I have no intention of them having detail - they are simple suggestions of people in the scene. There are other videos coming which are closer/larger people and will show more details. My ideal paintings are suggested - I came to painting as a very detailed, realistic painter but now value the suggestion much higher because I personally find it so much harder to achieve.

[@c.g.c2067]

@@cherylbrucecreativ agree fully: the fewer the strokes to convey an idea or an atmosphere the difficult it becomes. Over detailed painting tells you too much and may get boring

[@traceyelliott6891]

Thank you, very helpful