Monochromatic Magic: Paint a Watercolor Portrait with Imola Dalma

In this lesson (107 mins), Spanish artist Imola Dalma paints a striking watercolor portrait using just one color. This simple constraint unlocks something surprisingly powerful: clarity.

With a monochromatic palette, you can stop worrying about color harmony and pay attention to value, the relationship between light, mid-tones, and darks that makes a face feel dimensional and alive.

You’ll start with a quick, confidence-building sketch method using a grid (fast, accurate, and gentle on watercolor paper), then build the painting in loose, layered washes, gradually deepening contrast while preserving key highlights.

Imola demonstrates how to soften edges, lift paint, and suggest details—especially around the eyes—without overworking. The result is elegant, minimal, and moody in the best of ways.

What you’ll learn

• How to use one pigment to create a full range of values
• A simple grid sketch approach to place features accurately
• Building a portrait in layers: light → mid → dark
• Keeping details suggested, not fussy (especially hair, beard, and eyes)
• Softening edges, lifting paint, and embracing watercolor’s “happy accidents”

Ready to celebrate a single color with a singular artist? Let's get started!