Portraits in Watercolor

During this instructional video, master watercolorist Charles Reid will provide you with all the tips and techniques you need to start painting portraits in watercolors. Using his wife and daughter as subjects, Reid invites you to accompany him on the journey of creating a double portrait in his home studio. This art instruction video will teach both beginner and intermediate students how to see, think, and work like a professional painter. You’ll receive instruction on how to blend shapes and colors from one of the pioneers of the juicy watercolor style. In his calm and quiet manner, Reid gives you a solid introduction into the key relationships that allow the artist to progress from simple shapes to a unique characterization of a portrait’s subjects. Watch as Reid establishes the subjects’ pose and begins to sketch them, not as figures, but first as a unified shape. This video will help you to see the importance of thinking abstractly about your portrait, and free your mind so that the painting can grow organically on the canvas. This video will give you a rare look into what influences Reid’s selection of color and how to choose colors for their own sake. Reid encourages workshop participants not to restrict themselves only to what they see in front of them, but to instead use the models as inspiration for a painting that will speak for itself. Reid provides endless instruction and advice throughout the course of the lesson, including technical advice on mixing color, softening edges, measuring space, and overcoming the special challenges of portrait painting. If you’ve always wanted to be able to create watercolor paintings of your friends and loved ones, this instructional video will give you the confidence that you need to create portraits that will be treasured for years to come.

NOTE: This DVD has good information, but is definitely dated (produced in 1988).  By today's standards, it's gray and a bit out of focus. You see Reid setting up his models and paint while you hear a voice-over that talks about his process in general terms. Although it pertains to what you see on camera, it is not always specific. In any case, I found it very helpful and especially if you cannot attend a Reid workshop, well worth the price. Or if you have attended one of his workshops, this DVD is a wonderful memory jog. (Lynn Powers)