9 am - Noon
Topic: People
Location: Houston Farmers Market
2520 Airline Drive
Houston, TX 77009
Plein Air - Recommended Supply List: Plein Air - Supply List.docx
Painting people at a farmers market in watercolor offers a vibrant and dynamic way to
capture the bustling atmosphere and rich colors of this lively setting. How to go about it? You might want to begin by sketching the market's layout, including stalls, tables, and the people. Use bright, varied washes to depict the colorful array of fruits, vegetables, and goods on display. Think about what the focal point will be in your painting. Capture the energy of the scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes, focusing on the movement and interactions of the people—shoppers browsing, vendors chatting, and children playing. Pay attention to the light, whether it is the soft morning glow or the bright midday sun, to enhance the mood. The fluid nature of watercolor allows for a fresh and spontaneous depiction, bringing the market's lively spirit to life on paper.
The Houston Farmers Market has been a staple in Houston since the early 1940s. In 2017, the market expanded from its original 3,800 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet. In addition to daily local produce, it sells a variety of imported produce, nuts, dried spices, and more.
You never know what happens at a farmers market. You might want to paint people in a loose style reflecting a busy dynamic day at a market; or someone might agree to pose for you to take a picture for a portrait. If that happens, don’t forget to ask them to pose for you for a picture in bright sunlight (with a partial shadow from a hat or a strong shadow from a dangling earring or other accessory). The fluidity of watercolor helps convey the natural glow and radiance of the subject in sunlight, creating a lively and vibrant portrait.
This Plein Air event will focus on painting people.
Click here to see the supply list for watercolor painting in Plein Air
Below are some helpful YouTube video demos to practice at home before going to this event on location. With YouTube videos, I usually first watch the entire demo to see the result and make notes of important points. Then, I start the video again and paint along. I like the convenience of YouTube demos that they can be paused and so I can paint and learn in my pace.
I hope you enjoy practicing in advance and are excited about our topic – painting people in Plein Air!
Painting Figures in a Scene – How to Paint a Group of People by Eric Yi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU9YS6g6ae0
You Won’t Believe How Easy These Watercolor Figures Are by Riaz Ahmed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcJD-EZzY5I
How to Make Cycle Rider in Watercolor by Sarfraz Musawir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPK_1xDPYSk
How to Paint Figures – Adding Life to Your Watercolor Paintings by Matthew White
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68DiZrqBSro
How to Paint Figures in Watercolor Part 1 by Trevor Waugh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv6aRgPHyhU
How to Paint Figures in Watercolor Part 2 by Trevor Waugh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHIOpAg2ybo
Painting a Girl in Bright Sunlight in Studio by Eric Lin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGMd285Y5dI
