Painting Small Heads in Watercolor

TL;DR

Learn how to paint small, detailed heads on fashion figures and use the right tools and techniques.

Transcript

hey party people and Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it in this video I'm going to go over painting little heads I have a faces playlist where I get into the nitty-gritty of proportions and how to draw lips and angles like 3/4 view versus profile view and then I also have a video on how to mix skin tones and that's all in the faces pl... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖌️ Using smaller brushes with a good point is crucial for painting tiny heads on fashion figures.
• 📰 Hot press watercolor paper is preferable for precise details, but cold press paper can also be used with careful techniques.
• 🏮 Tracing the final drawing onto the painting paper can help maintain the paper's texture and avoid graphite smearing.
• 👀 Less vivid colors should be used for eyes to achieve a more realistic look.
• 🤗 Placing a scrap piece of paper under the hand while painting can protect the drawing and prevent smudging.
• 👻 Allowing layers of paint to dry in between steps is important, especially for small, detailed areas.
• 🖌️ Fixing mistakes can be done by dabbing at the wet paint and lifting it up with a clean, dry brush.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the recommended brush sizes for painting tiny heads on fashion figures?

Smaller brushes in the size range of zero to four are recommended for painting tiny heads. These brushes should not only be small, but also have a good point to create precise details.

Q: How can I avoid smearing graphite while painting tiny heads?

It is important to place a scrap piece of paper under your hand to protect the drawing. Additionally, tracing the final drawing onto the watercolor paper before painting can help avoid graphite smearing while ensuring a clean surface.

Q: What colors should I use for painting eyes on tiny heads?

To achieve more realistic results, use colors that are less bright than you might initially think. For bright blue eyes, a blue-gray shade is recommended. It is also important to paint the colored part of the eye in a semicircle shape instead of a perfect circle.

Q: How can I fix mistakes or remove unwanted paint while painting tiny heads?

If a mistake is made, you can use a clean, mostly dry brush to dab at the paint while it is still wet. Then, add a bit of water to the area and use a dry brush to lift up the paint. If the mistake is on paper that has dried, it may be necessary to let it dry, then re-paint the area.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video discusses how to paint tiny heads on fashion figures, specifically focusing on the tools and techniques needed.

• The artist emphasizes the importance of using smaller brushes with a good point and recommends brushes in the size range of zero to four.

• Hot press watercolor paper is often easier to use for precise details, but the artist demonstrates that cold press paper can also be used effectively with careful painting and erasing techniques.