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Painting Watercolor Portraits with Confidence
Karen Noll Schaaf | Watercolor |February 1 - 3, 2027
Have you always wanted to paint portraits but weren't sure where to begin? Join award-winning watercolor artist Karen Noll Schaaf for three days of focused instruction designed to help you approach portrait painting with confidence and success.
Karen will guide students through the essential elements of watercolor portraiture, including drawing, values, skin tones, features, edges, and expression. Through a series of carefully designed exercises, demonstrations, and handouts, Karen helps students build confidence one step at a time. By the time students begin their final portrait, they have already practiced the individual features and techniques needed for success.
Whether you are new to portraits or looking to strengthen your skills, this workshop will provide practical techniques you can apply immediately to your future paintings.
Images are representational
Workshops fill quickly—secure your spot early
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Greater confidence painting portraits in watercolor
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A stronger understanding of facial proportions and features
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Improved ability to mix and apply realistic skin tones
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New techniques for creating expression and personality
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Finished portrait studies and paintings completed during the workshop
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Practical skills you can apply to future portrait projects
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This workshop is ideal for watercolor painters who have always wanted to paint portraits but felt intimidated by the process. Karen's structured approach breaks portrait painting into manageable steps, helping students gain confidence and achieve success.
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Essential portrait drawing and proportion techniques
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How to simplify facial features into paintable shapes
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Mixing and layering watercolor skin tones
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Creating convincing eyes, noses, mouths, and hair
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Using values to create form and dimension
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Techniques for capturing likeness and personality
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Watercolor approaches for expressive portrait painting
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Strategies for avoiding common portrait mistakes
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February 1–3, 2027
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9:00 am – 4:00 pm (one-hour lunch)
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Fee: $409
Karen Noll Schaaf is an award-winning watercolor artist and instructor known for her expressive portraits and ability to simplify complex subjects into approachable painting processes. A sought-after workshop instructor, Karen has helped hundreds of students gain confidence in watercolor portraiture through her encouraging teaching style and practical demonstrations.
Her work has been exhibited nationally and is recognized for its strong drawing, luminous color, and ability to capture the character and spirit of her subjects. Karen's workshops emphasize both technical skill and artistic expression, helping students develop the confidence to tackle portrait subjects successfully.