Watercolour first try (Tennison)

As a first attempt it has many good points. I can see the paper has buckled up on you but you've overcome that issue by keeping it quite dry. The upper lip is generally in shadow, just a small observation D.

This is 300gm watercolour that I tried to stretch, thats when the buckling occurred (masking tape curled up an unstuck itself) I think the whole right hand side should have been in deep shadow, the light was coming from the left hand side and the left side of lip, nose and forehead were highlights.

A good first attempt, David. Try not stretching the paper next time, just secure it firmly on a board with masking tape and go from there. A spray bottle is good for wetting paper too. Keep going.

Just to come back on this D, my advice would be to initially just practice your technique, try wet into wet, get the feel for watercolour. Don't set out to complete finished pieces at this early stage, that comes much later. Just fill page after page with trial washes and experiments, that's the way to progress.

I think that's a very good first effort - and I can think of several tenth or twentieth efforts which aren't as good. Just carry on doing what you're doing - the paper has buckled, yes; and the more water you use the more it will, probably; but you needn't really be worrying about that at this stage. There are ways of overcoming it - heavier paper, stretching and so on - but you're still at the foothills, worry about climbing the mountain later. I like the way you've got the washes working together, and the palette you've used; there's a lot to like in this. Press on! PS - Just seen your reply to Alan - masking tape is no good for stretching paper: you need gummed tape if that's what you're going to do; the thing then is to cut it out of the gummed paper when done, which can be a bit of a fag. Try a gummed paper block, though - much easier.

Excellent, you should feel pleased with it. You might think it worth trying a few watercolour 'doodles' on a decent sheet of paper, try out blending, glazing or what have you. Or just carry on as you are, you could well find watercolour is your 'thing.'

Good first attempt, David. My only suggestion is that there is usually a thin shadow under the upper eyelid, which softens them.

Thanks Linda, and I understand what Alan said about the top lip now, I was thinking above the lip but the lip itself should be in shadow (truth be told I was going to come back and give the lips another wash but forgot)