portrait of heidi

After completing the last portrait 'Reflection' (see previous post), Heidi and I decided we should quickly dive into another to prove to ourselves that it wasn't beginners luck!

Not to be faint-hearted we also decided to up the challenge a bit. Someone on Facebook had an idea we paint each other.

We've discovered the pressure of painting someone you know! While that person is in the same room with you, painting next to you and peeping over your shoulder frequently to check progress. And offer suggestions!

Here's my process....

Monochrome underpainting in teal and white
Monochrome underpainting in teal and white
Face and body underpainting complete. I think I have a likeness! :-)
Face and body underpainting complete. I think I have a likeness! :-)
Adding a bit of green to the shadow areas.
Adding a bit of green to the shadow areas.
Yay! She's no longer a corpse. Adding warm skin tones.
Yay! She's no longer a corpse. Adding warm skin tones.
Face and body complete. Now working on the hair, flowers and background.
Face and body complete. Now working on the hair, flowers and background.
'Portrait of Heidi'
'Portrait of Heidi'

'Portrait of Heidi'

Acrylics and collage on paper
56 x 56 cm

Not available. A gift for Heidi.

PS - Reflection for sale!

'Reflection', the portrait in the previous post is now available for sale in my shop. You can view her here...
https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/491846016/reflection-original-mixed-media-portrait

Paint a free watercolour online lesson

A free lesson for you!

One of my all-time favourite paintings of a stormy day in a ruined Roman town in Spain.

You can do this! Let me show you how. Join my community to receive this free video tutorial.

Join here
pen before the watercolour wash

pen before the watercolour wash

27 February 2026

Last weekend I ran a poll on Patreon and it seems a number of people are interested in different ways to approach watercolours and adding different media. I'm excited about this! Let's mix things up a...

Read more →

an olive branch in watercolour

an olive branch in watercolour

12 February 2026

There’s something wonderfully calming about painting botanicals. You don’t need to rush — you can slow right down and paint one leaf at a time, dipping in and out of the painting whenever you fi...

Read more →