Painting Blonde Hair in Watercolor

[@michelba6team528]

Shelley, I have to say this. I belong to a French watercolor workshop and since I came across your youtube channel, I couldn't resist forwarding the link to your work. All my friends has been very impressed by the quality of your tutorials. Thanks for your daily help and your precious advices

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I appreciate that. Thanks so much 😊

[@1TimothyFourTen]

You are quite possibly the best watercolor teacher - your tutorials are so rich with good and practical instructions. I'm so grateful I found your channel. What a gem.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

That’s really sweet of you. Thanks so much. I really appreciate it ☺️

[@susanjerrell9220]

I agree!!!

[@lyndakowalke8858]

What an incredible and awesome watercolor teacher and artist you are. Fantastic how you explained everything as you painted. So easy to understand you and see what is happening and why. I am a newbie and only really listening and learning and trying things out at this stage, trying to find myself and what I can and would like to do. Hair and fur etc have always fascinated me That was an amazingly rich tutorial, packed full with everything one would need to know. Thank you so much for enriching me with your expertise knowledge. I am very grateful and looking so forward to seeing and learning all you have to offer. I have always been intrigued with hair and fur and how it all comes together - but I can’t get over how beautiful this can be achieved with watercolor- it’s so beautiful, alive and real looking. I am stoked! Thank you do much Shelly. Just love what you have created! 🧚🏼‍♀️💕

[@judywilliams1863]

A very good demo with great info. I really enjoyed it. North Carolina, USA

[@bmikula1861]

You and your daughter are both beautiful . Hello from Michigan .

[@avram28]

Excellent tutorial Shelley. The most important thing I learned is keeping the edges soft next to the background and crisper towards the face. Your description of brush work is also much more detailed than other instructors. Thank you!

[@hannastocksick7395]

Wow! Great tutorial! Actually the best I’ve come across! I’ll try to paint this same photo reference. The photo you chose is also very good as tutorial. Thx for this class ❤

[@madelinegrudens]

This is the best demonstration of painting hair with watercolor that I've ever seen! You're so thorough and detailed and you're a great instructor. When you put the dark tone around the face it just transformed the hair miraculously 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 thanks so much for sharing and breaking it down so perfectly!!! New subscriber ❤️

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much for your very kind words. I’m so glad that you found it helpful. Happy painting ☺️

[@cheryrobertson2735]

From Southern California. You're the best watercolor teacher!

[@christinegelormino5594]

You are an incredible instructor and artist. I never would have attempted to paint hair but you explain it in such detail step by step that I think I may try it. Thank you!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you Christine. I’m so glad that it was helpful. Happy painting ☺️

[@debrabarber-wilson3305]

I would love tutorials on all the different colors of hair. And perhaps eyes also! Love your teaching method. Thank you!

[@suel4269]

I watched the replay. Woke up too late again! Your daughter is beautiful.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much Sue

[@rosasadler1084]

I just discovered your videos and your talent! Your approach to your watercolor is wonderful to me. Also, your calm demeanor, while demonstrating makes learning from you enjoyable. I look forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you so much.

[@wonkywhisker1036]

Loved this video, I paint pet portraits and this has taught me so about painting longer dog hair. Thank you for sharing.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks Wonky. Yes, there are a lot of similarities between long fur and hair. Happy painting

[@randysmith1723]

I vote (as if I had a vote…) to see you complete this painting, even if it’s not next week. I wanted to see how you work in the top and scarf, along with detailing the eye. But whatever you do, I’ll enjoy it I’m sure! Thanks for the lesson!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much. It seems that a few of you wish to see it finished ☺️

[@gingerbuchanan2795]

It's like lightweight stucco. Good for textures. "watercolor ground" LOVE the hair!

[@cindyben22]

Best demo!

[@susanvorgias346]

Welcome back! So glad you are better!!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks. Yes, I’m really happy to finally be feeling better. Thanks for watching

[@elyse-cathrinebisson2787]

Your explanations our exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!

[@silviasunesen7649]

Excellent instructions Thank you so much Greatly greatly appreciate all of the explanations ❤

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much. Im so glad that you enjoyed it ☺️

[@cheryrobertson2735]

I like your descriptions, sweeping, on tippy toes, and carry like a pizza for example!

[@claudiapognante966]

I'm from Argentina. Thank's for your videos, they're very good

[@karendurston2528]

Wonderful! You are such a generous teacher.

[@rmc9076]

I agree I use the a Rake Filbert’s They are my go to for for painting wispy hair, whiskers on beards or fur on animals. Good instructions. I shared your channel with my watercolor friends. The pipes are fine …better than my three barking dogs when Amazon shows up .

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much. Yes old house and not very soundproof here.

[@sightsinging101]

Hey Shelley it’s Queen congratulations on your 10k 🎉 you are an awesome Teacher! Love the hair💕

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Hey Queen. I hope you are keeping your brushes wet. Thanks very much for tuning in.

[@judymills873]

Wow, wow, wow!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks a million Judy ☺️

[@ginaschissler9887]

Great tutorial Would love to see you continue working on it in your next one, I.e. skin tone, features etc. You have a beautiful daughter!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks Gina. Yes, I can continue.

[@creativehands3761]

Thank you for SUCH A WONDERFUL lesson. ❤ Much appreciated ❣️❣️❣️

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

[@judymills873]

Just seeing this today. I’m from Newfoundland, Canada

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Welcome Judy and thanks for watching ☺️

[@AlliListArt]

fabulous teaching, thank u so much x love Alli and Bella XXX

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I’m so glad that you liked it. Thanks for watching

[@judymills873]

Thank you for the awesome tips! I feel like I learned a lot already!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I’m so glad that you enjoyed it Judy. Welcome 😊

[@ruthdallas6125]

Thank you so very much! I always, even in acrylic to paint blond hair. I imagine colors are very different from one company to another but yellow ocher from Winston Newton is so staining I rarely use it as if you need to adjust it at all it is so hard to get off the paper. Plus as you say it is pretty yellow for most things. But again I want to say you are a god send for doing this. I can do a halfway decent brown hair but blond is so very difficult.

[@astridwilli2757]

Thank you so much for all the free content 😍

[@shelleypriorfineart]

It's my pleasure. Thanks for taking part

[@jasminekuo656]

Thank u so much for sharing your techniques!

[@theinspiringcanvas]

Best tutorial 👌 💓

[@annawozniak6807]

thank you for the demo...your chanel is really very instructive and fun to watch

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm so glad that you enjoy my videos Anna. Thanks for watching.

[@jaqrocha]

I Love your class ! I am from Brazil, and I'm learning a lot with your classes . I usualy paint pet portrait , but i want to try to paint a person.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much. Painting hair is a lot like painting fur.

[@lovelyjubbly4151]

Hi just found your video yesterday. It's brilliant thank you. Do you have a full video of doing a portrait painting please? I live in France so your workshop's are to far for me. Thank you Amanda from France

[@milaronyartgallery4667]

I always enjoy watching your new creation every time it’s something different and mind blowing work! Awesome. Thanks you for this great work.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

That's really sweet of you. Thanks so much for watching.

[@mysticriver9420]

Superbe aquarelle ❤

[@Magic65750]

Wonderful...thank you!

[@judycozon4081]

You are just the best!

[@janhogan3873]

Another fabulous demonstration, after being ill with a respiratory infection, so well explained, can't wait to follow through with a painting, however, unfortunately I had a nasty fall boxing day and fractured right arm/wrist badly, it will be a while before I can start painting again, this is annoying to say the least. Thank you ,loved it.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much. Sorry to hear about your illness and broken arm. Yikes, I’m not sure what I would do. Healing vibes. Get well soon.

[@janetgoldstein7597]

Fabulous tutorial

[@arezunaseri4642]

Thank u ❤ my life saver 😘😘😘 love ya and ur work

[@jaclee6]

thanks for another great lesson!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm happy that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching JJ

[@kimchurch8565]

You are so gifted. ❤ ❤ ❤

[@shelleypriorfineart]

You are very kind. Thanks

[@Pugs25]

Thanks for this informative tutorial. I'm so impressed. I'll have to work on my patience! I'm a very restless watercolorist! What about using gouache which is very opaque and add colour to it? ❤❤❤

[@shelleypriorfineart]

It’s up to you. Personally, I find gouache has a chalky look compared to the watercolour.

[@leonorlatour9250]

Thank you, it was very helpful.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks for joining ☺️

[@olgatolka7178]

New subscriber! Thank you, love your tutorials. Could you please include in description all tools used? I love your watercolour palette in the shape of colour wheel!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks. I have a list of my materials on my website as well as links to several suppliers shelleypriorart.com/materials

[@olgatolka7178]

@@shelleypriorfineart thank you

[@sm312d]

Thank you for your reply concerning the availability of your palette. I will just find a ceramic shop and have one custom made.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

My Speedball palette is plastic. The Quiller palette comes plastic or ceramic.

[@gaylefriscia7488]

Thanks! Awesome

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Gayle. I appreciate your support 🥰

[@starlaferguson1893]

Wonderful thank you

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much Starla

[@ОльгаАгафонова-т3ь]

Очень красиво!!!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much

[@sm312d]

Where did get your pallet. I can't find one like it anywhere and I have looked the world over. I would appreciate any help you can give. Thank you.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Sadly my palette is discontinued but the Stephen Quiller and Meeden palettes organize paints like mine.

[@enricafrigerio2732]

Hello from Lecco Italy

[@user-fx4qc6pz8g]

Superb

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much. I"m so glad that you enjoyed it. 😊

[@aliciashackley5830]

Please could you finish this portrait? Please!!!!🥰 She’s beautiful.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

LOL -- it's only half a face but that might be fine for a demo. I'll put it on the schedule 😊

[@hannastocksick7395]

Could you suggest substitutes for raw sienna and your red? I don’t have those colors…

[@shelleypriorfineart]

@@hannastocksick7395 anything in a gold family (yellow ochre) and perhaps Permanent Alizarin Crimson instead of Permanent Rose.

[@scorbett4370]

Hi Shelley, thank you for another lovely demo. I missed last week and forgot to check it out, as a result I watched your demo on the facial features first, doh! (I bought the Biaelk brushes, received them yesterday - quite excited to get acquainted with them.) What size and model dip/calligraphy pen nib do you use for masking fluid? I’d purchased one awhile back, but the nib was too small, so it was unable to distribute any making fluid. You are an incredibly talented artist and I so appreciate that you share your gift with us. Thank you.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the demo. I inherited these nibs. I had to sand off the rust and use a magnifier to read it but it says - Hunt Globe bowl point USA and 513 EF. Not sure if that means anything to you but that's what's on the nib.

[@scorbett4370]

@@shelleypriorfineart you went above and beyond to provide info, thank you! I’ll do a bit of research to see what I can find out about the nibs. I hope you’re feeling much better.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

@@scorbett4370 My pleasure. I am feeling much better thanks

[@PhyllisATaylor]

What brand of water color system are you using? Your circular palette?

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Speedball Color Wheel palette (unfortunately discontinued) but is similar to Stephen Quiller palette

[@debmickelsen]

can you thin your masking fluid, if so how?

[@shelleypriorfineart]

A couple of drops of water will thin masking fluid. I usually do this in a little medicine cup or something like that. This is great for spattering or for fine lines. However, if the masking fluid has started to get gummy or thick (blobs of sticky masking in the liquid) no amount of water will reactivate it.

[@josephineherrera8508]

Curly hair is normal for me and millions others around the world.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Mine is poker straight so I’m envious. Another demo to add to the list! 😊

[@sherylchapman4168]

The color of blond hair is influenced by the colors surrounding it. It not always yellow.

[@judymills873]

Did u use masking tape or watercolour tape?

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Hi Judy. I just used good old regular masking tape (the stickier one called Contractors Grade by Scotch)

[@judymills873]

@@shelleypriorfineart thank you! I will get some and try it

[@lovelyjubbly4151]

When u say ill put purple in. What purple? Please

[@shelleypriorfineart]

A purple mix of my cobalt and permanent rose

[@lovelyjubbly4151]

@@shelleypriorfineart Thank you

[@janetgoldstein7597]

Hi shelly

[@kathieeidem5670]

Can you water down all brands of masking fluid…thank you

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I believe so since masking fluid is mainly the same ingredients from brand to brand. I wouldn't go so far as to 'water down' the masking though. More of a 'slightly thinner' approach. Too much water would break it down and make it unmanageable.

[@suerodgers1273]

Chickens

[@sbyerley]

May I please suggest, that you omit your “head” box from future vids …for me…it is a distraction from your hands & the reference image & your work. I do need to hear you but not see your head moving about. Much appreciated.