[Chris Saper]

If you REALLY want to paint watercolor portraits, I think it's best to take a basic watercolor class. There is (I think) an enormous amount to know before just diving in: like, which colors are staining, non-staining, transparent, opaque; the mechanics of laying down smooth washes; how much to dilute the paint; how to judge the relative wetness of the passage you just finished; or how the brushes behave. And that's before you even contend with your subject matter!

I am even more in awe of painters who handle watercolor portraits well after making many efforts myself. I also think that some of us the temperament for a medium like watercolor, and some just don't. I figure I have enough challenge in front of me with oil and pastel!