2026 Workshop 2
Painting Faces & Florals: A Stylized Watercolor Series
Started July 6th, 2026 - Join any Time!
In this four-part watercolor series, you’ll learn how to create expressive, stylized portraits combined with loose, flowing florals. We’ll begin with simple floral studies to build confidence and brush control, then move into simplified watercolor portraits using a limited palette.
From there, you’ll explore sketchbook studies that combine faces and florals, experimenting freely with composition and color. In the final lesson, you’ll bring everything together to paint a finished portrait step by step, layering color and refining details while maintaining a soft, expressive feel. This series is designed to help you let go of perfection, build confidence, and develop a more intuitive, personal approach to watercolor portrait painting.
Started July 6th, 2026
Lesson 1: Expressive Florals in Watercolor
Begin the series with loose floral studies designed to build confidence and brush control. You’ll explore simple watercolor techniques for creating soft petals, flowing shapes, and expressive color transitions while learning how to keep your paintings fresh and intuitive.
Started July 13th, 2026
Lesson 2: Simplified Watercolor Portraits
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to approach watercolor portraits in a simplified and approachable way. Using a limited palette, we’ll focus on soft skin tones, expressive brushwork, and learning to suggest facial features without overworking details.
Started July 20th, 2026
Lesson 3: Faces + Florals: Sketchbook Studies
Combine portraits and florals in playful sketchbook studies that encourage experimentation and creative composition. You’ll explore how to connect floral elements with the face using color, movement, and layered textures to create more expressive, personal artwork.
Started July 27th, 2026
Lesson 4: Final Piece: A Stylized Floral Portrait
Bring everything together in a full step-by-step portrait painting that combines expressive florals with a stylized watercolor face. You’ll learn how to layer watercolor confidently, refine focal points, and create a finished piece that feels both loose and intentional.
Supply List
Paper
Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Sketchbook, 8.5”x11”
Strathmore Ready Cut Watercolor Paper, 100% cotton, 11 × 14", cold press, for final artworks
Maimeri Watercolors Used by Jane:
- 082 Cadmium Yellow Lemon
- 124 Gamboge
- 134 Golden Ochre
- 262 Venetian Red
- 125 Orange Lake
- 228 Cadmium Red Medium
- 167 Permanent Carmine
- 466 Quinacridone Violet
- 479 Potter’s Pink
- 540 Mars Black
- 392 Ultramarine Blue
- 373 Cobalt Blue Light
- 412 Cobalt Turquoise
Princeton Brushes Used by Jane:
Soft round brushes
Princeton Neptune Round sizes 18, 12, and 6
Round brushes
Princeton Aqua Elite Round sizes 16 and 10
Liners and riggers
Princeton Neptune Script brush, size 6
Princeton Aqua Elite Rigger, size 8
Wash and flat brushes
Princeton Neptune Oval Wash, 1/2"
Princeton Neptune Flat brushes, 3/4" and 1/2"
Princeton Aqua Elite Mottler, 1 1/2"
Angular shader brushes
Princeton Lauren Angular Shader, 3/4"
Princeton Aqua Elite Angular Shader, 1/2"
Additional brush for lifting and corrections
Princeton Aqua Elite Stroke brush, 1/4", useful for cleaning edges and removing pigment
Recommended detail brushes
Princeton Heritage Round brushes in sizes 6 and 2
Drawing Materials
HB pencil
Kneadable eraser
Lyra Rembrandt Aquarell Watercolor Pencil in White for portrait stylization and highlights
Drawing Materials
Paper towels
Spray bottle
Drawing board
Regular masking tape
Maimeri Gouache in Titanium White
Topic: Lesson 2 QUESTIONS - Simplified Watercolor Portraits
Hello everyone, feel free to post your questions regarding lesson 2 in this discussion post, I’ll make sure to answer all :)
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I just returned from being out of town, and so have only had time to watch the videos for this course, haven't had a chance to paint yet. I wanted to thank you for the work and care you put into those videos. They're like sitting with you while you paint, well done! I attended the last Strathmore course you did, and it was also excellent.
I'm especially anxious to try the technique for shadows where you leave one edge "hard" and soften the other edge with the barely wet brush. THAT will be very useful for me!
Hi Lisa, I'm glad you are enjoying the workshop series. The technique you mentioned, that allows to soften the edges, is a crucial one to learn for realistic watercolor painting, and I hope my demonstration in the video lesson helps - make sure you give it a couple of tries, it can take a while to get the hang of it. Once you do, however, it makes the process enjoyable and results consistent :)
