Posted in painting

Sleeping Babes Revisited

Posted on by Laura Kate

Yesterday I made a watercolor version of the sleeping baby posted earlier this week.

Here is the original photograph:

And my take on this portrait using watercolor.

Somehow in the process of painting, the little mite’s coloration was translated from dark hair to straw-colored red hair, and the facial tones got very rosy, especially the lips. I guess I am channeling Lu.

Anyway, this sketch pleases me. With practice I am learning how to manipulate multiple layers of wash, getting the colors to blend better.

Pigments used were raw sienna, yellow ochre, quinacridone red, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, carbazole violet, and tiny bit of permanent alizarin crimson. This was worked in my brand new 5 x 8 inch Hahnemuhle watercolor sketchbook. The paper was very forgiving.

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One of six children, I was raised by a busy mom, who instilled in me a love of fabric. Though I learned to sew and knit at a young age, it was the arrival of my first grandchild that pushed me into action. A long-time knitter, I am now ready to explore all things fiber.

11 thoughts on “Sleeping Babes Revisited”

  1. Flesh tones are so hard to recreate in watercolor – or any medium, as far as I am concerned. I have found success with yellow ochre, cerulean or cobalt blue, and alizarin crimson, highly diluted for pale skin. The same mix seems to work well for sand, too! Nice job – such a cutie!

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    Reply

      1. Cobalt is a wonderful color! Ultramarine also works for skin. Play around – Charles Reid has some good suggestions for skin tones in all ranges of color.

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