Portrait Painting by Daniel

Portrait painting by Daniel, Watercolor Academy student

Painting portraits has always been the most difficult thing for me. It's amazing how Watercolor Academy teachers made this topic so easy to follow.

Here's my copy of a painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, French painter of the 19th century. I very much love his style.

I am an art student who has the ambition of becoming a professional artist. Despite my drawing ability is very poor (I can only copy) I am optimistic that I will, one day, be able to draw from life and imagination.

I have watched all Watercolor Academy video lessons; some videos I checked several times. Every time I watch a lesson again, I find something new that I missed before.

So, now I have a different approach. Instead of watching a lesson like a movie, I actually take notes of tips and know-how as I go though the lesson. Then, I practice what I've learned. This way, it is very easy to master the method or technique that the academy teachers demonstrate. If you, like me, are taking this course, you may try this method to save time and learn watercolor painting faster.

My favorite lessons are "How to Paint a Portrait in Watercolor" and "Watercolor Portrait Painting". I watched them more than 10 times and still find something new to learn.

This makes me wonder how much more would I discover should I upgrade to the Correspondence Course?

Thank you,
Daniel

Reply from Vladimir London, art tutor

Dear Daniel,

Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful portrait. I really like your artwork.

Regarding the Correspondence Course, the topics you will learn will depend on your current level of painting skills and your interests in art. Before creating a bespoke curriculum for you, we would like to see what you are capable of.

To begin with, you will have to make several artworks as per our instructions that you will receive in the "welcome letter". You have quite good copying skills, but we will also assess your skills of drawing and painting from life. We will check your works and give you a comprehensive critique of your artworks and feedback on your skills. Together with our review, you will get a list of topics for your curriculum. These topics will cover the skill-gaps you have and also things you want to learn.

For example, if you lack knowledge of color theory, composition or tonal rendering, such topics will be included into your curriculum. If you are interested in painting portraits and human figures, you will also get tasks on these subjects. Needless to say that you will also learn various watercolor painting methods and techniques. There will be up to 100 art tasks in total, and we will make sure your curriculum is perfectly tailored to your skills and needs.

Tasks will come with in-depth written instructions, illustrations and videos. You would need to keep our instructions in order to re-check them if needed. Every task will be slightly more difficult than the previous one and skills you learn in every task will be required for making the next one.

Every next task will be given when you complete the previous task to the quality required. This way, your progress will be well-structured and your watercolor painting skills will advance from task to task.

Should you do one task per week, it would take you two years to complete the Watercolor Academy Correspondence Course. Of course, if you can invest more time per week, your progress will be faster. In any case, we will go at your pace. There is no rush. You have a lifetime Online Course membership and can upgrade to the Correspondence Course at any time.

I wish you all creative success you deserve.

Kind regards,
Vladimir London

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