Painting Portraits and Figures in Watercolor

by Mary Whyte

Using clear and concise language and in-depth, step-by-step demonstrations, author and renowned artist Mary Whyte guides beginning and intermediate watercolorists through the entire painting process, from selecting materials to fundamental techniques to working with models. Going beyond the practical application of techniques, Whyte helps new artists capture not just the model's physical likeness, but their unique personality and spirit. Richly illustrated, the book features Mary Whyte's vibrant empathetic watercolors and works by such masters of watercolor as Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Mary Whyte is an American watercolor artist, a traditionalist preferring a representational style, and the author of seven published books, who has earned awards for her large-scale watercolors.

Reviews

[Parka · Rating 4 out of 5]

(More pictures of the book on my blog)

It's quite fascinating to see the use of watercolour for painting portraits and figures where there's little room for error. Mary Whyte's watercolour paintings are beautiful, there's realism and you can still see the characteristics of watercolour. However, this is not really a portrait and figure drawing watercolour book. I was misled by the title to buy this book.

While all the examples showcase portrait and figure paintings, the lessons covers general watercolour topics. There are chapters on tools, techniques, understanding values, composition, colours and drawing. All these are very similar to topics in books by other watercolour artists. What's different here is you get to read Mary Whyte's perspective on these subjects, and the short demonstrations that show you how she paints. The paintings tips are all good, but you might have already read them elsewhere.

She does try to relate what's taught back to how you can use them for portraits, but not much. The part of mixing skin colour takes only 3 pages. She lists the colours she uses, highlights points to take note of, and there's a quick 3-step demonstration. That's all for colour mixing for skin.

I'm surprised and disappointed that there's nothing on painting specifics like eyes, lips, ears and hair etc. There's also nothing much on clothing, especially on how she deals with intricate fabric textures because I see them a lot in her paintings.

There's a section on working with models. I found the information there interesting, particularly on the reasons why they are posed a certain way to highlight certain aspects.

As a general watercolour book, it's quite good and you get insight into Mary Whyte's process. However, I was expecting much more for a book with a title on portraits. So I won't recommend this if you're looking to learn portraits with watercolours.

[Manoj · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm still wondering what I got out of this book. Wait I know!! I saw a few of author's paintings!!!! Yes, that was one. But what else? Let me go scratch my head and think about it. Maybe I should look at the book again to see if there was some non-generic advice on how to actually paint. I mean stuff other than author's myth debunking exercise in which she explained how there are no such things as good color schemes, color combinations etc. Well she totally debunked all the standards....standards based on how human perception works that master artists have been using for last few centuries. The most pleasing color combination is what "you feel at the moment" after all. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm the last person to accept things/ideas/theories on face value, but even I didn't see *that* coming. But then, like I said, maybe I should go take another look. Too bad I won't be able to do it though....as I already returned it for a full refund. Sucks man!!!

Quick summary - A book filled with author's paintings with a good amount of easily googleable generic info on painting thrown in. Most of the paintings don't have much to do with the text/instructions preceding them. Most of the book has nothing to do with drawing/painting people or portraits (yes it's this issue that has resulted in this awesome review.)

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing resource for anyone wanting to paint portraits. I have saved all of her sample project recommendations and plan on working my way through them.

[Carol Haverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Whyte is the epitome of what it means to be an artist. We can learn so much from this book and she gladly shares her knowledge. if you ever have a chance to view her paintings in person, run don't walk to the exhibit. Her soul shines through in each and every painting.

[GJF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expand your conception of what a watercolor painting can be

The artist is a white woman who makes no secret of projecting her fantasies onto her Black and working-class white models. There are a few paintings that look a bit kitsch, but on the whole, I am impressed by Whyte's willingness and ability to create compelling depictions of people who are largely invisible in today's world. To venture into this territory takes courage because pop culture is filled with demeaning images of the people she has chosen to depict as individuals worthy of respect and because watercolor as a genre doesn't provide a lot of examples of how one might go about doing this. Her style relies heavily on the contrast of large dark and almost white masses. The detail can be astonishingly meticulous, even though a large portion of the work may be blank paper. Her best work depicts people at work, in the kitchen, on the street, or in front of graffiti-filled walls.
This is definitely not a how-to book. It's an invitation to take risks, to become more intentional and disciplined, and to view technical skill not as a goal, but as a means to communicating one's ideas, feelings, and fantasies.

[Amore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a great book if you want to know more about Mary Whyte as an artist, specifically her personal opinions and views on portrait painting. Do not pick this up if you wanted a step-by-step guide on how to do watercolor portraiture. Some parts of her process were a little vague and unsatisfying. Personally, the information provided was not as valuable as it could be to a novice, nonetheless, it was still inspiring to see her works, which are absolutely masterful.

[Marie LeMen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique how to book. More insight than you would usually find. Great tips on background, composition, and I find I remember a lot of tips that corroborate my own experience. A must read for advanced watercolorists

[Lauren Sheil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating approach to this unforgiving medium. I’m teaching myself to paint and found the color and line discussions quite helpful. I was hoping for a bit more detail on technique for accurately drawing faces but that’s not what this book is about.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. An extremely helpful book from a practical standpoint. Whyte's overview of technique covered many areas that will make an immediate difference to me as I paint - areas not mentioned in other books I've read. She describes the difference between luck and intention when it comes to executing a painting. Very helpful. Her discussion of details relating to timing, clean water, use of masking fluid and so on motivated me to make some changes in my work. Overall, great technical advice.

A little lacking in terms of warmth and motivation, though... readers looking for inspiration should find a copy of Hazel Soan's "The Essence of Watercolours".

[Lass Jalal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is, by far, my favorite art book.

[Linda M. Rhoads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraged

I found myself encouraged and excited to get back to my easel after a long time away.
Loved the photos and advice!

[Kåre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whyte paints brilliantly, and that is worth a lot in a method book like this. I enjoy the book much more when it includes good paintings. I also believe the advice more coming from an accomplished artist.

Whytes approach is "natual" in the sense that she prefers simple techniques done mostly with a brush. She likes painting outdoor and with the living model posing. She is less fond of photographs, masking fluid and more "unatural" techniques.

She has a few tips that I found usefull or is goint to test. One is to paint skin in shadow by first using ultramarine blue and then, while still wett adding a quinicradone red and burnt sienna. Another concerns painting dark values. She advocates using really thick paint when painting dark values.

The book is full of "wisdom", some of which is wise and some of which is less interesting. One interesting observation is the following: Painting does not get eaysier, the more you practice, because you are always going to deal with problems, that you have to solve. I like this statement and it matches my experience.

[Dayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Mary Whyte is really talented and a great teacher. I wish I could afford her watercolor class in Tuscany.

[K.P.B. Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Whyte is an amazing painter and a good and encouraging writer. I'd recommend this book to any watercolorist.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished it once and am going to read again. Her work is beautiful and I want to take a class from her.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

she has a great way with light...

[Chelsea Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her work

[Arjun Khode · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the backgrounds chapter! Great book. Before buying the book, I read in the reviews that it contains the same info as any other book. Quite untrue.

[Arie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not a step-by-step tutorial although it seems like one. It's definitely not for beginners. You need to find the basic knowledge somewhere else to understand and gain something from this book.