Artist Hazylle Mae

2023 Workshop 3

Rendering the Human Face with Different Mediums

In this workshop we'll walk through the process of drawing and painting portraits, including learning basic head anatomy to painting and sketching a fully rendered picture. We will use different mediums to get to know the human face together with the end goal of comfortably drawing and painting portraits by yourself.

Watercolor Portrait Painting by Hazylle Mae
Artwork by Artist Hazylle Mae

Lesson 1: Portrait Sketching – The Structures of the Head

Instructions

We will start our portrait learning by studying the basic structures of the head and features of the face. A solid foundation in understanding human anatomy will help immensely as we move to finished portrait drawing and painting in subsequent lessons.

Lesson 2: Portrait Sketching – Rendering with Pencils

Instructions

We will now render the basic portrait we started in the first lesson. Our focus will be building up the values of the face in layers.

Lesson 3: Portrait Sketching – Painting a Portrait with Watercolors

Instructions

Together we will paint a watercolor portrait that highlights the transparency of the medium. At the same time, we will learn to layer our paints to achieve the desired values.

Lesson 4: Painting the Features of the Face with Gouache

Instructions

We will explore the unique qualities of gouache and how to navigate them while approaching a portrait painting.

Workshop 3 Supply List

Paper:

Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Smooth, (80lb/130gsm), 9"x12"

Strathmore 500 Series Ready Cut Watercolor Paper, cold press and hot press, 8x10, 100% cotton

Pencils:

Lyra Rembrandt Art Design Graphite Pencil Set

Paint:

Hazylle uses a MaimeriBlu Watercolor Half Pan Set with 12 colors, but tubes can also be used. The specific colors Hazylle uses in lesson 3 are:

  • Cobalt Blue
  • Cobalt Green Light
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Cadmium Red Light
  • Raw Umber
  • Ivory Black
  • Ultramarine Blue

Maimeri Gouache, 12 color set, 20ml tubes

Brushes:

Hazylle uses a range of Princeton brushes in her lessons which are listed below. You can choose your own preferred selection. The Princeton Velvetouch 4 piece short handle set provides a well-rounded variety for starting.

Princeton Velvetouch 4 piece brush set, including:

  • Round 4
  • Long Round 8
  • Angular Shader ⅜"
  • Wash ¾"

Optional: Princeton Aqua Elite Round 10

Optional: Princeton Neptune Travel Round 4

Other Supplies:

Lyra Orlow-Techno PVC-Free Eraser

Artist Hazylle Mae

Hazylle Mae

Workshop 3: Rendering the Human Face with Different Mediums

Hazylle is a self-taught Filipino artist and content creator. She started painting five years ago and learned to paint from watching YouTube videos online. Her goal is to give back to the art community and make learning to paint portraits more approachable and enjoyable.