A small portrait command... a technical exercise

[Valerie Gudorf]

Hi Everyone,

I've deleted the above inappropriately posted image. I apologize for disrupting the focus of the forum and causing possible confusion.

Sergio, your drawing of the general is a thing of beauty, having the ability to stand alone as a finished piece. I am in awe! Few watercolorists that I know of (well actually, no other) execute such a complete drawing to serve as the underpainting to a watercolor. The drawing serves as a complete grisaille. Now I understand why it was unneccessary to use more than a few subsequent layers of paint. It works particularly well for depicting your military man.

I neglected to specify that I use the cold press (the British call it, "Not") paper surface when attempting the above mentioned multi-glazing technique. I wish I had an appropriate WIP to illustrate the method. I wish also, that I could take credit for a new and innovative watercolor technique, but alas, there are countless others out there who execute it far better than I. I'm sorry that I have not been able to state the concept very clearly, Sergio. As I said earlier, I'll soon be attempting to paint a portrait in this style. Perhaps I can post it here as a work-in-progress, with a detailed explaination for each step.

By the way, Sergio, in the ordinary Virginia town where I come from, the idea of a french firefighter who also happens to be an incredible artist, is a pretty exotic idea. It certainly has captured my imagination. Please, if you would, answer this question: Which thing has your heart most strongly, fire fighting or painting?