35 lessons I learnt from painting 30 Faces in 30 Days

Painting portraits in watercolour is endlessly fascinating. Indeed human faces are endlessly fascinating. There's no right or wrong way, no one style which is perfect, no one colour for skin.... So when I was asked to tutor on the ‪@Sktchy‬ 30 Faces in 30 Days I was delighted and decided I would do the challenge alongside the students.
I painted a face every day in April 2024 and at the end reflected on what I learnt and also asked the students for feedback on what lessons they had learnt. So join me as I flip through my 30 portraits and share 35 different tips. Some are about taking part in a challenge like this, some are about watercolour portraits in particular.
If you like painting faces you might enjoy my booking 'Painting Portraits in Watercolour' published by The Crowood Press ISBN:9780719842818 and you can see a flip through here: • Painting Portraits in ...
Every week I share a tip, trick or technique I wish I had known when I started painting, so if you enjoyed this please like, comment and subscribe. Or if you have a watercolour problem, let me know and maybe I can help? Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed this.
If you want to have more in depth courses please head over to www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk. I also run a friendly Facebook group: / watercolourstudiowithl... .
#lizchaderton #watercolourportrait #watercolour

[@fr7115]

They were all beautifully painted! So much better than the photographs.

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you so much

[@pedro4lola640]

I had a lot of time off in April and that’s the only reason I achieved it 🎉 The week I was at work I fell way behind!

[@LizChadertonArt]

indeed! it is full on 😊

[@karlab9557]

I am learning so much. Still working through, but I did get 20 in 20 days before life interruptions. The usual things I am learning. color mixing, washes, layers, hair, skin, etc. Bonus learning for me: One, that I do better with minimalist underdrawing. The one I tried to draw in every highlight and dark etc, I totally messed up the highlights because I couldn't decipher my complicated drawing! I do want so much to get looser in my style. I realize that will come with practice and maturity. It looks so easy! but it is not easy for me! And I learned so far that I really enjoy line and wash! Loved this video, too!+

[@LizChadertonArt]

sounds like you are doing brilliantly and you can come back to the final 10. we never stop learning!

[@AnnCorsaro]

Thank you for this video. I love your common sense and honesty. By the way, you are a very talented artist. Great work👍🏻👍🏻

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you so much

[@debbiebruce6920]

Love these faces, Liz! You did an amazing job.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@AlliListArt]

well done Liz...i love them all...for different things x love Alli XXX

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you so much!

[@madebylora]

These are very impressive!!! It’s been a VERY long time since I’ve tackled faces and I’ve never done a challenge with daily teachers. I did do a simpler challenge in April though. I did flowers with a prompt list provided by Sketchbook Skool. I knew April would be busy so to make it achievable I did all 30 across a double page spread in my sketchbook. I filled the 2 pages with little boxes with black borders (mostly they are 1 inch squares, but some 1x2 inch rectangles) and the end result looks like a flowery stained glass window. I love the end result and so glad I was sensible about how much I could manage in April.

[@LizChadertonArt]

that sounds beautiful and also sounds like you had good self-awareness!

[@louisea966]

thanks Liz, great video

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it!

[@annepercival7814]

Love them Liz…especially no 24 !!! You mentioned a tutor..is there an online portrait course?

[@LizChadertonArt]

it was with www.school.sktchy.com 😊

[@lilygrace9571]

I love all of them! I'm just beginning in watercolour and I can't wait to experiment. However I cannot figure out why your paper doesn't buckle and mine does!

[@LizChadertonArt]

What paper are you using and what size? You will quickly discover that paper is more important than paint in watercolour - use good stuff from the get go!

[@lilygrace9571]

@@LizChadertonArt Fabriano 300g/m² Hot press 25% cotton size:A4
Do you ever need to stretch your paper or are there some types that don't need stretching?

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@lilygrace9571 anything over 300gsm, especially small, shouldn’t need stretching. It might cockle a bit but you can Slatter by sponging the back and weighting it down overnight

[@lilygrace9571]

@@LizChadertonArt ooh thank you so much!