Figures
Gestural movements of figures seem to jump off the page with transparent washes of watercolor paint. Hyper-realism can also be obtained with watercolor paint; but for these projects, we will focus on quick gestural sketches and touches of paint.
Sketch the back of the neck and head with a high ponytail bun shape. Suggest a few of the hair strands and the direction they travel. Add a few wispy strands at the nape of the neck. Paint the back of the neck and shoulders. For painting the bun, start with your lightest colors. In this case, the blonde highlights. Using the tip of a round brush, add some mid-tone browns and even dark gray or black to the base of the neck for the darkest areas and surrounding the ear. Add some brown wispy hairs along the nape of neck. Add some shaded flesh tones to right side of girl’s neck and shoulder. Add more of the lightest shades as a wash to fill in any white space and add richness. I use golden yellow on top of the bun and the loose ends. Use dark brown or gray to darken any areas that need increased value, especially around the ear and nape of the neck. While the paint is still wet, drag a small round brush through the paint to suggest even more strands of the hair.GIRL WITH BUN
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Sketch a man standing with one arm across his body and the other hand near his face. Loosely sketch three pigeons on the ground in front of him. Use Payne’s gray or black paint to paint the man’s pants and the bodies of the pigeons. Add pink pigeon legs and feet. Add the light blue shirt, and suggest hair with black or gray. Remember, keep minimal. Add cast shadows to the man and pigeons. Add small beaks and any other details, as desired. Use flesh tones to paint the face, arms, and brown or gray shoes. If a few drips land on your painting, it’s okay—it just adds to the effect of the watercolor.MAN WITH PIGEONS
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