Line and Wash: Portraiture - Part 1
This course features:
3 Hours of Instruction
12 Videos
11 eBooks
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Lesson Description
Part 1 of a series on creating a portrait with line and wash. In part 1, we create the pen and ink drawing.
Lesson Materials
140 lb hot press watercolor paper, bottled ink, dip or nib pens, 6B graphite pencil, H graphite pencil, and masking tape.
Lesson Resources
Download eBook
Reference Image
Course Curriculum
Lesson 1: Introduction and Materials (4:50)Lesson 2: Balance (19:05)Lesson 3: Two Approaches (24:53)Lesson 4: Pen and Ink Techniques (34:01)Lesson 5: Watercolor Techniques (12:14)Lesson 6: Still Life Part 1 (17:01)Lesson 7: Still Life - Part 2 (19:11)Lesson 8: Landscape - Part 1 (7:46)Lesson 9: Landscape - Part 2 (13:52)Lesson 10: Portraiture - Part 1 (17:34)Lesson 11: Portraiture - Part 2 (10:53)Lesson 12: Conclusion (1:22)
Hi Matt,
This was beautifully executed and wonderfully taught. Question: what would you have done if the subject had had solid white hair? Although there would inevitably be some subtle changes in value with shadows between strands of hair, too much marking would make it look no longer white. Also if some of the hair’s contours are only visible against a somewhat darker background, would you have drawn in the background to create the contrast? Thanks.
Hi Mary,
Yes, if the hair was white, I would have added some contrast in the background to make it pop out. I probably would have simply brought the blue up a little higher.
Thank you so much for that tip about how to transfer the reference photo onto paper! Such a time saver and so brilliant. I wish I found this sooner.
I use different types of graphite paper although some are easier to erase than others (not so much).
You did a great job of showing how to ink in a man’s short hair. How would i do a woman’s? Or someone with LONG hair?
I have been hesitant to attempt a portrait because I’m just too hard on myself. I appreciate you allowing us to “trace” the contour lines of the subject to create our art.
What is your true feeling on tracing an image for a portrait drawing/ painting?
Even if we create a phenomenal piece of art, aren’t we still cheating???
Hi Mary,
Yes, tracing is controversial, but it has a rich history in art. Cheating happens in test taking, sports and games, taxes, and in personal relationships. But “cheating” is a little less clear in art. Although we transferred the contour lines, we still had to draw the image with ink and paint it with watercolor. Here’s a link to a post that may help…https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/is-it-ok-to-trace-in-art