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Step by step painting tutorial : Watercolor and acrylic self portrait

How to paint a mixed media self portrait by Sandrine Pelissier on ARTiful,painting demos
Painting technique / Step by step demonstrations

Step by step painting tutorial : Watercolor and acrylic self portrait

This is a more personal subject matter because I wanted to make a series that would explore situations that I link to add but could be in general situations that makes you feel not completely adequate 🙂
Anyway this is a watercolor and mixed media (india ink and acrylic) on paper. Arches hot press 140 lb). I did the portrait using my layering technique

Step by step tutorial : Watercolor and acrylic self portrait

My drawing on Arches hot press 140 lb

 I am painting a layer of Yellow ocher first as this is the less transparent color of all the colors I am going to use, I want it underneath the subsequent layers.

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.

Yarka St. Petersburg Professional Watercolor Pans

Same palette of traditional colors the great masters used a century ago. Liquid-poured means semi-moist pans respond instantly to a wet brush. 24 pans in plastic case. Also individual pans. – Master Set

Then I am painting a layer of red.

You might also be interested in : Tutorial : Corel Paint Shop Pro for layering watercolors

The I start layering with blue, being very careful to use a soft brush and not lift the colors underneath.

Working on the blue layer, with different tones of blue, one warm and one cold.  Adjusting the colors, by adding new ones and washing off some with lots of water and a stiff brush

Then I start working on the background, painting a layer of India ink, being careful not to paint over the face.

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.

Speedball Super Black Waterproof India Ink

“Super black” means its blackness will be very permanent and fadeless. Contains 100% carbon black pigment. Also free-flowing, non-clogging, and waterproof.

The finished painting: Why didn’t anybody tell me about the smudged lipstick- ADD series

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Comments (14)

  1. […] self portrait mixed media on paper […]

  2. […] self portrait mixed media on paper […]

  3. […] self portrait mixed media on paper […]

  4. […] self portrait mixed media on paper […]

  5. […] self portrait mixed media on paper […]

  6. […] self portrait mixed media on paper […]

  7. […] self portrait mixed media on paper […]

  8. […] self portrait (ADD series) […]

  9. […] Sandrine and Richard have both posted self portraits recently, also. « Beach Buddies […]

  10. I absolutely love your expression in this, Sandrine. You turned it into a portrait anyone can take pleasure in and find enjoyable. You do that so well. The “pinkie finger” and the expression seal it!

    1. Thanks Leslie, I am glad to hear that because my husband thinks I look like a lunatic on this painting 🙂

  11. Sigrid Saradunn

    Thank you for sharing…I haven’t tried the layering technique…do like the results. It makes me smile when I look at you in the whole process…enjoyable to look at, for sure.
    At the moment am experimenting with portraits on YUPO, but will definitely study your work to try in the future.
    Siggi

    1. Thanks Sigrid, I found that layering makes the whole process of painting with watercolors easier. Let me know what you think about painting watercolor portraits on yupo.

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