Using clear and concise language and in-depth, step-by-step demonstrations, author and renowned artist Mary Whyte guides beginning and intermediate watercolorists through the entire painting process, from selecting materials to fundamental techniques to working with models. Going beyond the practical application of techniques, Whyte helps new artists capture not just the model's physical likeness, but their unique personality and spirit. Richly illustrated, the book features Mary Whyte's vibrant empathetic watercolors and works by such masters of watercolor as Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Guides the reader through a complete, step-by-step tour of the watercolor materials and methods needed to create expressive, masterful portraits.

Here's detailed step-by-step instruction to painting accurate, lively and brilliantly colorful portraits.

A fresh approach to portrait and figure painting in watercolor! In Painting People in Watercolor, Alex Powers provides a comprehensive guide on working with watercolor, mastering the principals of design, and understanding the fundamentals of portrait painting. Powers takes the inquiring artist beyond photorealistic painting and acquaints painters with the human form from a design perspective. Shifting the focus from subject matter to composition and aesthetics, Powers demonstrates how you can enjoy watercolor painting by expressively capturing character in faces and figures. An abundance of Powers's paintings illustrate the theories and techniques covered. The culmination of 23 years of Powers's painting experience, Painting People in Watercolor provides clarity and insight on successful watercolor painting techniques for novice to advanced students and doubles as a guide for teachers. 175 color plates; 100 black & white illustrations.

A beautiful, full-color guide to a better understanding of portrait and figure painting -- the materials, techniques for success and the special problems involved in painting people.

Portraits have the power to capture a likeness that touches the soul. You can learn to paint realistic portraits with artistry following the guidance in this inspirational book. Nine complete step-by-step demonstrations show you how to use watercolors to build portraits that come to life with realism and personality. Each demonstration features a different person—so you can explore a range of ages, skin tones, facial features, hair tones and textures—mastering each detail at your own pace. Even if you are a beginner, success is within your reach as you learn how to: • Place an image properly • Capture a likeness and add character • Paint realistic skin tones • Fix mistakes without starting over • Edit visual information for greater impact • Capture the textures of clothing and accessories • Select and paint a background that supports the portrait With this guide on your side, you can achieve the portraits you've always dreamed of painting. Get started today. Great portraits await!

""The fluid, spontaneous, often unpredictable medium of watercolor is always a challenge--and for the watercolorist, the human form is the most challenging of all. This book shows how to paint nude and clothed figures in an easy to follow series of projects, from the first preliminary lines to the finishing touches of a completed watercolor. Direct language, clewar and specific step-by-step demonstrations, and over 170 illustrations, 56 of them in full color, combine to offer the reader a stimulating guide to painting the figure in watercolor."--Jacket.