Portrait and Pattern

It’s hard to resist the allure of exploring different art mediums, and I rarely encounter one I don’t enjoy. That’s the magic of mixed media—its endless possibilities. In this mini-class, I’m excited to combine three of my favorite creative approaches: graphite portraiture, watercolor, and pattern design.

We’ll start by warming up with graphite, practicing individual facial features to build confidence. Then, we’ll explore the watercolor techniques featured in the main lesson, where we’ll experiment with creating patterns and a delicate butterfly wing. These warm-ups will help you become familiar with the materials and techniques before diving into the main event.

In the main lesson, I’ll guide you through the complete process of creating a stunning, exhibition-worthy piece. We’ll start by sketching our subject in the sketchbook and planning out a clothing design inspired by butterfly wing patterns. Then, we’ll transfer our drawing to watercolor paper, where we’ll bring it to life with graphite and watercolor.

To expand your creative options, I’ve also included a bonus lesson exploring various pattern ideas—each of which could inspire your portrait’s unique design.

For me, graphite and watercolor offer a peaceful, mindful way to create art. If you also enjoy creating in this way, I warmly invite you to join me on this artistic journey and share in the joy of this process.

Yours creatively,