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Cherry Hood
Cherry Hood
This artist cleverly combines impressive details of sharp realism with loose, drippy and abstract marks using watercolour and ink on paper.
She crops her portraits to a traditional composition of head & shoulders, and allows the subject to stand isolated in front of a plain background as the edges drip away.
The eyes are always painted with intense contrast, the sclera often bright white and the gaze piercing .
She allows the pigment to drip and pool onto the paper, drying in unexpected and abstract ways.
Steps to create your own Cherry Hood inspired watercolour portrait
Steps to create your own Cherry Hood inspired watercolour portrait
Ensure you have completed the portrait drawing activities regarding proportion, features and the Grid Method
Create your reference photo - take a selfie!
Neutral Background
Soft lighting
Head & Shoulders
Eyes looking directly at the camera
Referring to your image on your device, start by drawing your portrait LIGHTLY onto the watercolour paper. Use extremely light pressure, do not press hard. Start with the biggest shapes (no details like eyelashes yet).
You may trace from your laptop if that helps.
Start painting with watercolour
Starting with a bigger brush, build up layers using thin washes of colour, letting it dry in between. Use this approach to develop the main shadows and tone of the skin.
Add crisp details only at the end (eyes and lips mainly) using a small brush.
Don't be afraid of pushing the colour beyond realism! Blues/purples for shadows, yellows/oranges for warmth
Trust the process - start with larger brush strokes. You will add detail later!
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