By Carol Phippen

Introduction

  Many people are intimidated by faces. I will show you how to paint this picture of Jesus. This painting should take about 3 hrs. to complete. Brushes used size 7 series 7 round.

   Winsor Newton Series 7 round, sizes 10, 8, 7, 4. They are great for detail and because of their quality, they hold a great deal of paint, and yet, are able to come to a very fine point, even in the larger sizes. They are expensive, but are worth it because they are miles in front of the other brushes, in my opinion.

   An assortment of sponges, elephant ear, silk sponge, and sea sponge can be used for everything from cleaning your palette to moistening areas of the paper.

  Q-tips are a very useful tool when painting detail in a small area. They also take up small areas of paint or smooth areas.

  In this painting, I used for the wash and some detail in the face and hair, Aureolin, Rose Madder, Genuine and Cobalt Blue, in varying amounts from a peachy flesh tone to a brownish shadow tone. Cadmium Orange used in the hair. The darker and darkest colors mixed with Alizarian Crimson and Winsor Green. Lips are mixed with Cadmium Red Light and Alizarian Crimson with a touch of Cobalt Blue by the corners.

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After stretching watercolor paper, (soak this in the bathtub then staple to a gatorboard while wet. Let dry.) Lightly sketch a pencil guideline (NO ERASERS PLEASE!) The paper can mess up your painting (erasers are abrasive.)



Start with a large easy area first. Choose the hair- mix a light color that will end up being the highlight color.



Next mix a light wash for the face leaning it heavily towards the overall skin tone. Red, Yellow, Blueish or Greenish. Working light to dark. Also mix some darker hair color and begin "shaping" the hair with your brush.



At this point- paint some detail in the face. pay very close attention to the eyes, because this is the area people most identify with, so they have to be accuratley rendered.



Before you finish the entire painting, paint the background so that you can use some of the color in other areas of the painting- this connects the subject with the background so you don't have anything "floating" around in the work. In this case, use the purplish background color in the subject's hair. Sign your work, refrain from "nit- noid touch ups." Now you're done!