Self Portrait in Watercolor | 2025

  It was about time for another self portrait since my last one was in Florence nearly a year ago.  We have a beautiful antique mirror, so I set up today with my watercolors and got to work!
  I always start with drawing and it was especially important to create the specific shape of this mirror.  I draw slowly at the beginning keeping in mind an expression, "start slow so you can finish fast".  I then move on to think about the masses without detail.  Remember that details sit on top of the masses like icing on a cake.  
  With watercolor, I use washes over the entire paper to establish the base forms.  This underlying layer needs to be accurate otherwise the top layers won't look right.  I am also always thinking about the layers and striving for accuracy, even with a large wash.  Watercolors can get out of control really quickly so I'm always on my toes and thinking as if it were a game of chess or boxing match.  It always requires concentration and watercolor can often feel like tight rope walking!
  I used the Millford watercolor paper again and I think it came together pretty nicely.  The paper felt responsive and held the washes well.  I'll definitely be using it again soon.  Stay tuned for some flower paintings!