Fairy Portrait

In the photos of my studio, you could see this painting leaning on a dresser, so I thought I would add a close up of it, so it would show the details more.  I have done this watercolor of Leandra (my grand daughter) at about 4 months old.  Hopefully, it is just the first in a series of fairy portraits of her as she grows up. I’ve  gotten wrapped up in buying, snazzing up, and selling antiques so much over the last few years that I have let my painting slide.  When I sit down to do one, I always love the process and wonder why I don’t do more. 

Today, I am tagging along on a business trip with my husband.  Sometimes I like to take watercolors with me to stay occupied in the hotel room while he works. But this is a short trip, so I will take advantage of my free time to go junking.  I am looking for the perfect old frame for Leandra’s portrait, but who knows what will turn up on a good junking day! 

WATERCOLOR TIPS:

For baby soft skin tones in a portrait, use opaque colors and build up layers.  For Leandra’s skin, I used china white, sky blue, brilliant pink, Juan brilliant, with a touch of yellow ocher and burnt sienna.  By using opaque colors on the flesh and transparent washes on the clothing and wings, a nice contrast is formed that makes the baby’s skin even more believable. I used Thalos for the clothing for that bright splash of color.