One of my watercolor portrait using a more "natural" color palette. Not my California Vibe style, but it is bright and cheerful. Painted on 140lb. cold press, rough watercolor paper, full sheet.

Top watercolor portrait is a preliminary study painted on a 12 by 16 inch sheet of 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. The final portrait was painted on a 22 by 30 inch sheet of 140 lb. cold press watercolor paper. Painting studies helps to familiarize yourself with your subject in terms of value shapes and what your color choices will be. This process really helps when one is working in watercolor! Notice my expressive use of not only color but brush strokes (especially in the hair). Watercolor rocks!!! By the way, this is a good example of my California Vibe Watercolor Portraiture style that I teach both in California and across the country.