My goal yesterday was to attempt a clothed figure to begin working through some of the issues I'd mentioned in my previous post. Namely, how to work with multiple colors for the clothes without losing the proportions as I would have to wait for paint to try between sections. I sketched this figure in pencil first (6H) and then painted, allowing some time for drying between painting adjoining colors (although in at least one case I didn't wait long enough). I'm happy with the way the proportions worked out. I worked this on cellulose paper in my sketchbook again and I'm wondering if I would be happier if I'd worked on a 100% cotton paper. I think that as I move more towards clothed figures I'll want more blend-ability in the shades, whereas in the nude figures the sharp shadows doesn't bother me.

Anyway, I think that if I want to do more clothed figures I will want to continue starting in pencil or pen. I think the look of pen could be really nice, but I'll need to get over some self-consciousness about my pen lines. I could always start in pencil, paint, and then add pen details? But the other thing I'm wanting to do is shorten the length of time these take, and so I don't know that I should be adding steps.

Conclusion: for my next studies I think I will work on 100% cotton paper. I will try to just do a pencil sketch to start and then debate about adding pen at the end. Eventually I'd like to move towards doing the preliminary lines in pen and being happy with them. And I still need more practice with faces!

Figure is done in watercolor (Da Vinci, Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton) in a Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbook with Escoda Perla and Prado paintbrushes. Reference image is from the Line of Action website.

Another figure study. I already feel as though I'm running out of reference photos. Most websites contain a large volume of photos of young, thin cis-gender white women, which isn't what I want to paint. Most websites have a small selection of references photos of male-presenting folks, but I'm not sure how much that interests me, to be honest.

​I believe the next two issues I face in working on this series (besides needing to practice) are:

• ​Finding a wider array of reference photos.
• And figuring out a process for myself that will allow me to paint clothed figures. Right now I work quickly - mostly wet on wet - and this would not work for a clothed figure. I'm very concerned about losing sight of the proportions of a clothed figure because of having to do it in sections. Some possible options are to try working on real watercolor paper (this is cellulose paper, here), sketching the figure in with pencil ahead of time, and/or drawing the figure with pen. All of those would still require some drying time, but - at least with using pen or pencil - may help me figure out and stick to my proportions.

Painted with watercolor (Da Vinci, Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton) in a Stillman & Birn Alpha sketchbook with an Escoda Perla paintbrush. Reference photo either from Sketch Daily or Line of Action.

I've found myself interested in figures and portraits more again. Yesterday allowed time for these two studies in watercolor. Both used photographs from online references. I believe one was from Sketch Daily and the other from Line of Action.

Each took approximately 15-20 minutes and is 6-7" tall. Watercolor on Stillman and Birn alpha sketchbook.


My intention, moving forward is to add as many studies and links here as I can to supplement my Instagram - a space that I own and control and can be referenced anytime. I'll mostly be uploading from my phone, so they may continue to be brief.