Expressive Watercolour Portraits with Michelle Solomon (13 June ’26)
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Suitable for both beginners and those wanting to develop a more expressive and observational
approach to portraiture: A relaxed, process-led portrait workshop exploring expressive watercolour
portraiture through observation, tonal structure, layering and mark-making. Participants will be guided through warm-up exercises, simple portrait mapping techniques, a live demonstration, and an extended guided painting session working from a live model. The workshop encourages experimentation, observation and confidence-building while allowing the unpredictable nature of watercolour to become part of the creative process.
Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026
Time: 9:00 – 12:30 (3.5 hours)
Participants are encouraged to arrive 10–15 minutes early to settle in.
Place: The Deckle Edge @ 13 Brickfield Road, Salt River
Workshops space limited booking essential
What attendees will learn:
How to approach a portrait through observation, proportion and tonal structure
Warm-up drawing exercises to loosen the hand and reduce perfectionism
Simple portrait mapping and proportional relationships for observational drawing
Basic watercolour handling, including water control, layering, washes and edges
How to build a portrait through tonal relationships before adding detail
How to work from a live model in a relaxed and supportive setting
How expressive mark-making and selective detail can bring presence and character into a portrait
How experimentation and unpredictability can become part of the creative process
Students to bring the following materials :
Masking tape
Watercolour brushes, size 2, 6 and 14.
Cold-press watercolour paper. I prefer Fabriano Artistico (or cheaper Fabriano Universal
200 for b/w)
Intermediate (such as Cotman) or artist quality watercolour paint (tubes or pans).
Minimum colours: Yellow ochre, phthalo blue, alizarin crimson. Additional colours:
Burnt sienna, lemon yellow, cobalt blue hue.
Apron
Michelle will supply:
Printed workshop notes and portrait reference sheet
Selected demonstration materials and references
Supplied by The Deckle Edge, but not specific to what the facilitator has requested but can be used in the workshop space.
Watercolour brushes round and Hake brushes 1.5, 2 inch and up
Live Model
Plastic mixing palettes
Watercolour paints from various brands and samples
Table top easel
Paper Towels
Refreshments
* Each attendee will get a 10% Deckle shopping coupon to use on the day.
Recommended age: All welcome from 16 years and up.
R750.00
approach to portraiture: A relaxed, process-led portrait workshop exploring expressive watercolour
portraiture through observation, tonal structure, layering and mark-making. Participants will be guided through warm-up exercises, simple portrait mapping techniques, a live demonstration, and an extended guided painting session working from a live model. The workshop encourages experimentation, observation and confidence-building while allowing the unpredictable nature of watercolour to become part of the creative process.
Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026
Time: 9:00 – 12:30 (3.5 hours)
Participants are encouraged to arrive 10–15 minutes early to settle in.
Place: The Deckle Edge @ 13 Brickfield Road, Salt River
Workshops space limited booking essential
What attendees will learn:
How to approach a portrait through observation, proportion and tonal structure
Warm-up drawing exercises to loosen the hand and reduce perfectionism
Simple portrait mapping and proportional relationships for observational drawing
Basic watercolour handling, including water control, layering, washes and edges
How to build a portrait through tonal relationships before adding detail
How to work from a live model in a relaxed and supportive setting
How expressive mark-making and selective detail can bring presence and character into a portrait
How experimentation and unpredictability can become part of the creative process
Students to bring the following materials :
Masking tape
Watercolour brushes, size 2, 6 and 14.
Cold-press watercolour paper. I prefer Fabriano Artistico (or cheaper Fabriano Universal
200 for b/w)
Intermediate (such as Cotman) or artist quality watercolour paint (tubes or pans).
Minimum colours: Yellow ochre, phthalo blue, alizarin crimson. Additional colours:
Burnt sienna, lemon yellow, cobalt blue hue.
Apron
Michelle will supply:
Printed workshop notes and portrait reference sheet
Selected demonstration materials and references
Supplied by The Deckle Edge, but not specific to what the facilitator has requested but can be used in the workshop space.
Watercolour brushes round and Hake brushes 1.5, 2 inch and up
Live Model
Plastic mixing palettes
Watercolour paints from various brands and samples
Table top easel
Paper Towels
Refreshments
* Each attendee will get a 10% Deckle shopping coupon to use on the day.
Recommended age: All welcome from 16 years and up.
R750.00
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Where is it happening?
13 Brickfield Road, 15 Brickfield Rd, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherThe Deckle Edge
