|
Karen Schaaf
www.kschaaf.faso,com April 13, 14 and 15, 2026 9 am - 4 pm (1 hour for lunch) "Painting Watercolor Portraits with Confidence" All levels welcome Fee: $377 payable to Wanda Boyd Please use the registration form to mail in payment. or Click to pay via PayPal |
Karen Schaaf
|
Workshop Description:
Capturing the human face in watercolor is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—subjects an artist can tackle. But with the right guidance, tools, and practice, it becomes a joyful, confidence-building process.Join award-winning artist Karen for this inspiring 3-day workshop that breaks the portrait down into approachable steps. Whether you're just getting started or want to refine your portrait skills, you’ll walk away with techniques you can apply to any face, any time.
Capturing the human face in watercolor is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—subjects an artist can tackle. But with the right guidance, tools, and practice, it becomes a joyful, confidence-building process.Join award-winning artist Karen for this inspiring 3-day workshop that breaks the portrait down into approachable steps. Whether you're just getting started or want to refine your portrait skills, you’ll walk away with techniques you can apply to any face, any time.
|
What to Expect:Day 1: Foundations & Features Learn how to blend glowing skin tones, explore how light interacts with the planes of the face, and dive into detailed studies of facial features. You'll develop a deeper understanding of structure, value, and color. Day 2: Quick Portraits with a Limited Palette Karen introduces her “3-layer portrait” technique—perfect for quick studies, gifts, or warm-ups for larger pieces. You'll gain confidence working with limited colors and see how much you can achieve in just a few layers. Day 3: Putting It All Together Bring everything you've learned into a more detailed portrait complete with background, fabric, and even hands. This day is all about expression, storytelling, and creating a painting that glows with life and emotion. Karen also teaches you how to use an iPad or digital device as a creative reference tool—complete with tech tips to help you become more analytical and artistic in your approach. |
Pictures are Representational
|
|
Before & After the Workshop:
Click for Supply List |
|
Karen's bio:
Karen Noll Schaaf is an internationally award‑winning watercolor artist and instructor based in New Bern, North Carolina. Known for luminous, expressive portraits that capture the “human moment,” she is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, and Watercolor Society of North Carolina. Recent honors include selection for the 2024 Transparent Watercolor Society Exhibition, the 2024 American Watercolor Society Member Exhibition, and the 2024 Fabriano in Acquarello International Congress (U.S. delegation). Her work is also featured in Splash 25: The Best of Watercolor.
An engaging educator, Karen combines fine‑art expertise with a background in instructional design—she holds a B.A. in Fine Arts and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design & Technology—to deliver thoughtfully structured workshops with clear handouts, step‑by‑step demos, and practical tech tips (including using tablets/iPad for reference). Her classes emphasize value, light, and the planes of the head to help artists confidently achieve likeness and lifelike expression.