PROFILES IN COURAGE!

It takes a lot of courage to paint portraits in watercolor because it is difficult to make corrections.  That is why I show students how to paint on a gessoed surface.  Here is the demo I did for the portrait class I am teaching right now.  The lesson was on profiles so why not go for an extreme example!  By putting down a coat of gesso on the paper first, I was able to make lots of changes in my painting, with ease.  

I think gesso may be my favorites painting product.  You can make poor quality watercolor paper usable, cover over a disaster of a painting and start again, texture the paper surface, stamp with it, stamp into it, sand it smooth and so much more!  Be sure and purchase the extra heavy body type.   You can always thin it down but you can't make it thicker.  Be sure and save your expensive sable brushes for a different surface as gesso is too abrasive.