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,
Ce xo
Class Is Open
Only $47.00
{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }
Here's a description of each of our special projects:
Warmup: Graphite and Watercolour Explorations
Knowing your mediums and materials is so important to the success of an artwork. The value of exploration and experimentation cannot be underestimated, so in this warmup we will spend time practicing with graphite and watercolour in preparation for the main lesson.
We will explore how different pencils behave on your chosen surface, create a mosaic pattern with simple wet in wet techniques and practice a butterfly wing in watercolour.
Main Lesson: Butterfly Kiss
In our main lesson we will create a portrait in graphite with a patterned clothing fill and decorative butterfly accent in watercolour. Beginning with a step-by-step drawing in our sketchbook, we will get to know our subject and plan out the pattern. We will then transfer the drawing to watercolour paper and paint the pattern and butterfly using the techniques we practised in the warmup. Finally, we will render the face and hair in graphite to complete the piece.
Bonus Lesson: A Page of Pattern
In this bonus lesson we will take a page in our sketchbooks and explore different approaches to creating pattern. Using a variety of watercolour techniques and a simple palette, our pattern play will range from more controlled brushwork to intuitive, abstract strokes of colour.
Create a catalogue of alternative ideas that can be translated into the pattern fill for your portrait.
Class Is Open
Only $47.00
{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }
Who is this class for?
This class is for anyone who:
Loves creating portraits in graphite and wants to go deeper into the process of structure, form and value.
Enjoys a slower creative process.
Is interested in mixing the mediums of watercolour and graphite.
Wants to practice simple but effective watercolour techniques.
Enjoys pattern.
HERE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF Ce’s beautiful WORK
Class Is Open
Only $47.00
{ LIFETIME ACCESS & DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS }
Supply List
For warmup & main Lesson
DRAWING TOOLS
Your favourite wooden and/or mechanical pencils in a range of grades from 2H to 4B.
Erasers: kneadable and Tombow Mono Zero 3mm.
Ruler.
Blending stump or tissue.
Compass or measuring tool.
Sketchbook or sketch pad (I use a Stillman & Birn Beta 270gsm).
100% cotton watercolour or mixed media paper (at least 300gsm). I used an 8”x10” piece of 300gsm Hahnemuehle hot press watercolour paper for the warmup and a 640gsm block of Hahnemuehle hot press for the main lesson.
Watercolours: 2 of your favourite colours that play well together. I used Sennelier Phthalo Turquoise and Schmincke Payne’s Grey.
Gold watercolour: I used Daniel Smith Iridescent Gold and Interference Gold (optional) and Coliro Vintage Pearlcolor in Tibet Gold.
Round Watercolour brushes: very fine (0000-00), small (1) and medium (4).
Palette, paper towels and water jars.
For the Bonus Lesson
Sketchbook suitable for watercolour.
Pencil and erasers.
Watercolours of your choice. I used Winsor & Newton Potter’s Pink, Schmincke Paynes Grey, Daniel Smith Quinacridone Deep Gold, Rose Madder Permanent and Naphthamide Maroon.
Metallic Watercolour: I used Daniel Smith Iridescent Gold and Coliro Vintage Pearlcolors by Finetec.
Watercolour brushes: a selection of fine to medium rounds; Princeton Velvetouch angular shader.
Palette, paper towels and water jars.
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