Working in mixed media to add patterns on a portrait painting can be a fun way to make it stand out. Here I worked from a reference picture that my daughter took in front of a mirror.

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Here are the steps you can take to paint a watercolor and mixed media portrait with zentangle patterns.

The first step was to transfer your drawing on a piece of watercolor paper, here I used carbon paper, but you could also use a light box.

I used Arches 300 lb so I didn’t need to stretch the paper before painting.

One of the first step when painting with watercolor is often to preserve a few white areas and highlights with masking fluid. I find that using a silicon brush to apply the fluid is one of the most convenient way to do that.

You don’t need many colors to paint a portrait, here I am using a simple palette of Yellow Ocher, Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Payne’s Gray, and ultramarine blue to paint the figure.

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Da Vinci Artists’ Permanent Watercolors, 292 Yellow Ochre, 15 ml Da Vinci paints are exciting, intense, and rated among the best in the world for quality. The paints are permanent, with the highest tinting strength and pigment concentration available, and a creamy consistency for smooth, easy dispersion with water.

I am layering colors until I am satisfied with the colors, then using a soft brush and water, I am softening a few edges.

Layering light washes of color is a simple and effective way to paint the figure.

The next step is taking off the masking fluid and softening a few edges also with a stiff brush and water.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

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Daler-Rowney Masking Fluid This fluid is used to create striking white highlights or to mask areas for overpainting at a later stage. It forms a fast-drying, water-resistant film on watercolor paper and board, and is easily removed when dry.

It is a good idea to blend the areas that were preserved with masking fluid on the hair and perhaps adding a few highlights as well with a stiff brush and water.

At that point the portrait looks like this.

Next I am painting the whole background with India Ink, paying extra attention to the edges. India Ink is ready to be painted and very dark, so it is more convenient to use than black watercolor, but black watercolor would work as well, or black acrylic paint.

I want a bit of texture on the background, so I am not looking for an even flat color, I want a bit of variation.

Next I am preparing a bit of white acrylic paint. I am going to go over the India Ink and because the acrylic is a bit translucent, some of the India Ink background will show through in some places.

When painting around the figure I want to leave a fine black outline for interest.

I let the background dry overnight.

Next I am drawing circles using the lens of the camera as the center. As the circles would be too big for a regular compass, I did build a simple system with a thread.

I am filling the circles with patterns I am drawing with a red colored pencil, you could also use a watercolor pencil.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Derwent Watercolor Pencils These professional-quality, water-soluble pencils offer the freedom to switch from drawing to painting in an instant, with no change in tools. Use them to shade on dry paper, then quickly wash over with brush and water to get a blending effect. – Watercolor Pencil Sets

On some of the dark areas of the patterns, I will paint on top of the colored pencils with red watercolor paint to add a bit of contrast. I am also painting the outer circle with red watercolor paint. Because of the acrylic layer underneath the red watercolor paint is drying making interesting patterns.

The finished painting: Selfie, Watercolor and mixed media on paper.