Under the Noonday Sun

As a portrait artist, my watercolors begin with a loose and expressive under painting, followed by a “mapping” of the darkest shapes — specifically facial features, and fabric folds. I work around the page in many transparent layers, considering shape, hue, temperature and value. Details are slowly depicted with more precision until I am satisfied that I've captured the essence of the subject, the expression on a person's face, the moment in time. The shadows on this woman's flesh provided an extra challenge!