Watercolour portraits tutorial for beginners - part one

You won't believe that starting your watercolour portrait in purple will work, but trust me, it does. This tutorial shows how I use a gentle purple underpainting to give structure to the watercolour portrait and then by working in layers we can build fascinating and glowing skin tones. The first thing you learn in painting portraits is that there is no such thing as flesh colour!
I'm a big believer in shortcuts, so for this tutorial we will use a light box to transfer our outline and contours. I give alternatives in case you don't have one. Then we will work on our 'grisaille' - monochrome underpainting. We wil really concentrate on the tonal map of the face and I will show you how to start with large shapes and then move to smaller ones. Then build up warm and cool layers.
If you are looking for more in depth watercolour courses, from beginners through to advanced, then please take a look at www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk. I am writing a book on watercolour portraits which will be published by The Crowood Press in 2023.
If you are looking for a friendly place to share your art and meet watercolourists from around the world, why not join my Facebook group here: groups/watercolourstudiowithlizchaderton
If you have enjoyed this film, please consider liking and subscribing. I do a watercolour tip, trick or technique each week and release it at 2pm on Sunday. So if you hit the notification bell you will be emailed when the next one is out.
This is day 8 of a 30 Faces in 30 Days challenge from Sktchy. If you love portraits and faces look at the Museum by Sktchy app (sadly not on Android), or go to www.sktchy.com. If you follow me on Facebook or Insta ( lizchadertonartist) you can see if I complete the challenge!
#lizchaderton #watercolourtips #watercolourportrait

[@grantharper6033]

Wow, I love the result of this method! Who’d have thunk purple underpaying would turn into the most gorgeous warm browns. Can’t wait to have a go at this one 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

it is an odd idea isn’t it, but it works!

[@user-gi7ww7ih1l]

I'm so glad I found this. Skin tones have flumoxed me but I'm going to give this a go.

[@LizChadertonArt]

have fun!

[@yazminrivera2541]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I painted my brother and it turned out awesome.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Brilliant to hear!

[@nilawarriorprincess]

I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A TUTORIAL LIKE THIS FOR 5 YEARS! Thank you so, so much! As a beginner, I purchased Skillshare & learned about this technique. I became very sick afterwards & was unable to use Skillshare & having a stroke made it difficult to recall anything I learned from my very 1st portrait class. I scrolled over this video when I saw it on YT, as at 1st glance I assumed this was a loose style didn't think leaning a loose portrait style would benefit me. but after searching Bing for 'purple underpainting watercolor portrait', your video popped up. This video that I almost missed is actually perfect for me. He & I even have similar skintones. I've found a purple underpainting is the absolute best way to paint dark skin in watercolor. Over the years, I've seen many tutorials that only use browns, but they lack the liveliness & richness that is in dark skin. Thank you so very much for this video & treating the subject of your work with such respect & admiration. You truly don't know how much this video means to me. I'm dedicated to becoming the absolute best watercolorist I can be & this is the guidance I need to build a body of work I will be proud of. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much for such lovely and thoughtful comments. I am fascinated by the colours you can see in all skins once you start to look, but agree that purple on a darker skin is just beautiful and does give a richness. I really like turquoise for a very pale skin too… Good luck with your watercolour journey and I hope you continue to recover.

[@araya52]

Fantastic lesson for me. I have several sketches that I want to paint in watercolor. My first try was pretty awful, but I've learned so much about control from this video alone!! Thank you so much!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rowenacorlett3146]

This is amazing - I'm going to give it a go ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

have fun….

[@karlab9557]

I have wanted to do portraits. Dont know if I could call my attempts anything other than... sortof likenesses ish. The skin tones have totally flummoxed and eluded me. This is enlightening and so helpful. Thank you. All of your commentary while painting is extremely helpful. You are a great teacher.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You can do it! I’ve just written a book called Painting Portraits in Watercolour published by Crowood….

[@StephanieCorralArt]

Amazing techniques and teaching style. I'm so happy to have found your channel.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jeangursoy9876]

Hi Liz, This was so so helpful. Can you do more portraits and skin tone videos if possible. This portrait has so much character, really love it. Thank you so much.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I have another for next Sunday too 😊

[@catchip]

@@LizChadertonArt oh gosh keep them coming.. great companions for your new book.. I preordered.. can't wait!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@catchip ooh, that must be the first order!

[@JuliRoxArt]

This is incredible! I've been struggling with painting skintones. We're always told to paint light to dark with watercolors, but I love the idea of doing an underpainting first. It really acts like a guide to placing the rest of the colors! I can't wait to get my paints out tomorrow morning and try this technique out. Thank you so much 😆

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful! I also like a turquoise underpainting - it gives an ethereal result and I have just started with a burnt Sienna/Alizarin. There an artist Pam Wenger on KZbin who does gorgeous portraits with an underpainting

[@JuliRoxArt]

@@LizChadertonArt Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check her out also!

[@SharonNolfi]

Nice the way you built up the colors! Thanks for sharing this process.

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@Orchidblue24]

Your painting turned out wonderful! I love seeing portraits with unconventional colors but I don't understand how to choose what colors should go where with a dramatic effect. Such as pop art of musicians. It would be great to hear your take on that. Can't wait for your next portrait! Thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you. Have you seen this about colour value switching? I am doing 3 more portrait films.

[@BlancaReyes-sq6qg]

Wonderful video Liz, thank you so much. I am going to give it a go this weekend!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@simonanebi]

I have aleays stopped at drawimg because I dont know how to paint at all or where to start from . You have just given me all the baby steps i need . You are awesome ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

You can do it! my book Painting portraits in watercolour has just been published, so you might enjoy that too.

[@mozanita]

It is a delight to watch your video’s. No nonsense and great tips.

[@LizChadertonArt]

So nice of you! I do talk nonsense sometimes!!

[@shadowguard3578]

This was a revelation. I appreciate you saying that using a light box is fine for portraits, because I’ve been wondering this very issue. Your painting is amazing, thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it. Yes, use whatever tools help, is my motto. Get confident with painting, then learn how to capture a likeness

[@0to100Art]

Such a unique process of painting. Enjoyed watching the process.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@PinkGriffin]

Wonderful tutorial. Very helpful tips on the under painting, as well as the reasoning behind color choices and placement.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ramaehamrin]

Thank you so much for sharing this. What an excellent tutorial!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@along9971]

Love watching your painting demos, always learn a lot, marvelous!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks so much 😊

[@liamtomasb]

Great video! Thank you very much!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are welcome! Happy new year

[@teraperry1008]

This was amazing! The purple under painting really brought his skin to life...that and all the layers of colors. This video was like a very good color theory lesson. I love all the movement, shadows and highlights. Clearly, flowers, cars and birds are not your only jam. Wonderful!😊🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

[@LizChadertonArt]

I love painting portraits. They are my leisure painting along with urban sketching and the animals are my professional subjects….sort of

[@annewillis4673]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve wanted to start portrait painting for ages and I love the way you teach. I’d never heard of underpainting watercolour portraits - wow! When you see the results it all makes sense. Love it! Can’t wait to get some time to give it a go 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! I've recorded another one for either next week or the week after too. So hope it all makes sense!

[@mariakapatos9545]

So enjoyed this way of painting, as I have started sketching portraits, and want to paint them in watercolour your way of doing this arrived at perfect timing…..thank you so much for sharing and bless you❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@cathynelson9747]

Fabulous lesson! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're very welcome!

[@kaylaherincharles]

Thank you so.much for this demonstration! I love this, it is amazing! Thank you so much for also showing painting darker skin as well! I've been dabbling in watercolor paint for awhile but this technique will take my portraits to the next level!! New subscriber here! 🤎

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rowenacorlett3146]

Really helpful demonstration - thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're very welcome!

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

Beautiful Liz, and very helpful!!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kayleighshaw21]

Great video, very helpful 😊 Thanks so much for sharing & that's a beautiful piece 👏

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@mlk1965]

Fantastic - can't wait to try it! Thanks so much!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! Hope it goes well

[@taylors726]

Thank you, Liz! VERY informative!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chantalnugues-perrin3631]

Thank you Liz 🙏🏻👍 very interesting ❤❤ I will give it a try 🤗🤩

[@LizChadertonArt]

Please do! It’s a little odd, but fun!

[@estherdejong7313]

I hoped you would do a portrait one day! Lovely video, thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I'm sure I will do a few more in the next 22 days!! Glad you liked it.

[@TeWhero]

Love the explanation, really helps.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad to hear it!

[@valeriecoopet9897]

I just finished my first African American child. I used the purple, but too late. Not as underpainting. Lesson learned! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

you can see a lot of purple in a black skin, but it also works with a white or Asian complexion

[@annepercival7814]

Thankyou Liz……amazed at how it emerges step by step…but have I the patience to dry between layers!😘

[@LizChadertonArt]

The drying is super important. Grab a hairdryer now!

[@linaarmstrong2250]

Love it, great work

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you!

[@latitacolorista]

Lovely!!!!! 👏

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@candicardenas5408]

❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

🥰

[@chahigginson]

Thank you, this was really helpful :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@karindodge9814]

I love how you break this down and explain it. It makes it so much more approachable. Do you always use a purple for 1st layer or does it depend on the skin tone? Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

usually I use the purple. it it were a very fair skin I would go very very light.

[@S26ful]

I really loved this and learnt so much. Will you be making more portrait videos?

[@LizChadertonArt]

That's the plan! I have recorded two more. Next week is using the same underpainting technique on a middle Eastern face and the third week is the same painting on a northern European face. So I hope that will cover a few bases....

[@S26ful]

@@LizChadertonArt will look out for them!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@S26ful 😃

[@spiritualstars]

❤❤love it

[@LizChadertonArt]

it’s fun seeing it build….

[@shawnas464]

Super cool!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Tge purple underpainting creates beautiful skin tones

[@monica-NJ-123]

Great tutorial 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@lucienelacerda2014]

Lindo demais!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you!

[@tradingpostfarms]

So I have a tracing tip, for tablets or phones. My teenage son, also an artist told me about an app you can download that locks your screen. It's brilliant. A bit of a challenge on a phone because you have to move the image, lock unlock, but its works brilliantly and with a large tablet, it would be awesome.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I know you can lock your screen without an app on your tablet, but this lets you lock it at a zoomed in section? if you remember the name, I would be interested.

[@marysmusicaljourney2.0]

Very helpful lessons

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad to hear that

[@deborahtaylor7902]

this was so so helpful LIZ!! im excited to start on portraits now...thanks so much..ps..can u add a link to your Lightbox and what size it is? I have a small one but need larger

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes of course! This is it and a full review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHqrY52MmdqGsM0 It’s A3 and rechargeable. I’m only working A4 here though….

[@fromcyn4472]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. If I was to paint a fair-skinned person using a lighter under painting, what colors should I use on top of that?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Depends. I’m just editing a Middle Eastern face and using the same colours. so will share that shortly and then hopefully a norther European face.

[@lynettehopkins4097]

Liz it’s lovely , where can I get the picture to try myself please x

[@LizChadertonArt]

Click on the community tab on my channel and it is there waiting for you 😊

[@lynettehopkins4097]

I am obviously thick liz , as well as being unwell what do you mean by community tab sorry x

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@lynettehopkins4097 not thick at all. Go to my channel page (click Liz Chaderton just under the film or www.KZbin.com/c/lizchadertonart) This is my channel page. You should see Home, Videos, Playlists and Community etc across the top (it might vary if you are on a phone or desktop). Click on Community and scroll down to the portrait reference. Hope you feel better soon.

[@downloadmusic4free1]

Is it safe to always safe to use purple as a undercoat?

[@LizChadertonArt]

on a very pale skin you need to be very light handed, i have used purple but now use a phthalo blue. But yes, purple works for all skin tones.

[@downloadmusic4free1]

Thanks!@@LizChadertonArt

[@gloriagene0]

How do I buy your books

[@LizChadertonArt]

which one are you looking for and which country are you in? All should be available to order through a local bookshop or via the online bookshops, except for the most recent which hasn’t been published in America yet. Abe Books is good for USA.

[@janeekitchen7727]

Really inspiring....Thank you

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!