Friday-Face-Off - Block Island Watercolor Figure

 Friday Face-Off Challenge - I'm posting a watercolor with a figure as my Friday Face Off.

This photograph of a multi-branched tree was taken along the Clayhead Nature Trail on Block Island, Rhode Island. For a decade, we visited Block Island in the summer months, and each week, we found ourselves on this trail to Clayhead Beach multiple times. 

For many years, I planned on painting this landscape in watercolor. The tree beckoned me to climb and sit in its branches, but I never did. Instead, I snapped a photo of it at least once during every trip. Finally, a few weeks ago, I finished the painting. 

Clayhead Trail 14 x 11 Watercolor on Arches 140lb Paper

Through the watercolor, I vicariously fulfilled my dream of sitting in the sprawling branches while reading a book. The figure does not resemble me, but it is a vintage version of who I envisioned might have sat in the branches over the years. 

Too much detail in a small painted figure's face creates a cartoonish effect. I did not want the girl to be without expression, but I didn't want to add too much. I achieved the subtle look I wanted by sharpening a colored pencil (Derwent Inktense) to the finest point I could manage, lightly sketching minimal facial features, and gently dampening the area. I was pleased with the result.