Painting the People We Love

Painting the People We Love

This watercolor portrait shows my father with his two dogs. I wanted to capture his calm and warm personality as well as the bond he shares with his animals. The moment on the steps felt both ordinary and deeply familiar — an ideal setting to explore expression, texture, and light.
This piece was created as part of Michele Bajona’s Domestika course “Watercolor Portraits: Capturing the Character of the Model.”

I painted on HEMPA Mixed Media 320 g/m² paper made from hemp fibers, which absorbs colors beautifully and keeps the surface lively.
For brushes, I used French natural-hair watercolor brushes by Springer, which allow soft washes and precise detail.
The colors are Schmincke HORADAM® professional watercolors, known for their brilliance, transparency, and exceptional pigment quality.

Don’t be afraid to start with simple lines and see where the colors take you. Each portrait teaches you something new – not just about technique but about how you see others. This course reminded me that every painting is a story worth telling, even when it’s imperfect.