The Eyes Have It: Paint a Luminous Watercolor Portrait with Dritan Duro

Watercolor rewards patience, intuition, and a willingness to let go—a balance that London-based artist Dritan Duro has spent years refining.

In this lesson, Dritan invites you to slow down and enjoy the process of painting the most expressive features of the face: the eyes, nose, and mouth. “If you capture the eyes, that’s half the portrait done,” he says, emphasizing how these features create connection and emotion in a portrait.

Dritan takes you step by step, from sketching the foundation of the face to carefully layering washes and preserving highlights. He encourages you to trust the movement of water and pigment while making intentional choices about light and shadow. “Always look for the highlights and keep them untouched,” he advises, demonstrating how subtle shifts in color bring depth and life to your subject.

You’ll explore how to shape facial features with soft, flowing brushstrokes, build richness with transparent layers, and create expressive, luminous skin tones. Along the way, Dritan shares practical tips for controlling washes, keeping brushwork fresh, and letting watercolor work for you rather than against you.

This lesson is more than a technical exercise—it’s an opportunity to step away from the rush of daily life and find joy in the act of painting. Whether you’re new to watercolor or looking to refine your skills, Dritan’s gentle and encouraging approach will help you paint with confidence, ease, and expression.

Ready to paint with Dritan? Let's get started!