Portrait painting can be difficult. Capturing a person’s or even a pet’s likeness demands great attention to detail. The shape and proper placement of a head, face, mouth and nose are vital to a good likeness. The most important aspect of a good watercolor portrait, however, is the eyes. The eyes’ shape, color, and reflective quality give the eyes– and thus their subject– personality.
1. The eyes in a painting can show a subject’s mood, such as the above picture of a child’s smiling eyes.
2. Eyes in a watercolor portrait can reveal age of a subject. Older person’s eyes are often deeper set and have more shadows –and obviously wrinkles– around them. Older eyes can also reflect wisdom .
3. Painting eye color in watercolor is interesting: Eyes are not usually just brown or blue or green, etc. Most times I use several colors and allow them to blend on the page when painting a watercolor portrait of a person.
4. A well-done watercolor pet portrait really allow a pet’s eyes to shine and reflect the animal’s personality. Large pupils usually convey friendliness and approachability.
5. The colors in an animal’s eye glow when painted in watercolor, especially when the right amount of white is left to contrast with the eye color.
5. Watercolor pet portraits work best when an animal appears to be looking at the viewer. The moistness in a pet’s eyes can also reflect back the viewer and evoke real emotion.
I take a lot of time studying a subject’s eyes before I begin a painting, and though I think theyre the most important part of a well done watercolor portrait I usually paint them last to preserve the freshness of color and contrast for a lively , finished watercolor portrait.
