Master the Art of Controlled Watercolor Portraits Using Chien Chung-Wei’s Revolutionary “Alla Prima” Method
For artists ready to paint watercolor portraits with confidence instead of anxiety, this course changes everything.
Master watercolorist Chien Chung-Wei — the first Taiwanese artist ever honored as a Signature member of both the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society — reveals his groundbreaking approach that eliminates traditional watercolor fears.
His “Alla Prima Watercolor with Dry Brushing Technique” gives you complete control and unshakable confidence in every brushstroke.
Inside this transformative course, you'll discover:
● The revolutionary “Alla Prima Watercolor with Dry Brushing Technique” that transforms watercolor from unpredictable medium into controllable portrait tool…
● The “T-Shape” secret that guarantees accuracy in your portrait placement — this one technique alone eliminates the guesswork that frustrates most watercolor portrait attempts…
● How to skip the pencil underdrawing completely and paint watercolor portraits with complete control — using Chien’s direct brush approach that builds confidence from the very first stroke…
● …and so much more!
By the end of this demonstration, you’ll understand exactly how to approach watercolor portraits with the confidence and control of a pro.
No more fear of ruining paintings.
No more anxiety about watercolor’s unpredictability.
Just the quiet confidence that comes from truly understanding your medium — and the complete control to capture not just likeness, but the very soul of your subjects!
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SPECIAL NOTE: This video is filmed and taught by Chien Chung-Wei himself! At his recommendation, Eric Yi Lin of Café Watercolor will be the English translator and voiceover artist. Rest assured you will have the words of Chien coming through clearly, including all instructions and details for how to paint this scene successfully. |
Meet Your New Instructor, Chien Chung-Wei,AWS, D.F.!
Chien Chung-Wei holds a distinction no other Taiwanese artist has ever achieved…
He’s the first to become a Signature member of the American Watercolor Society AND the National Watercolor Society!
But that’s just the beginning of his remarkable story.
As a Dolphin Fellow of the American Watercolor Society, Chien Chung-Wei has earned recognition at the highest levels of the watercolor world.
His works embrace the spirit and temperament of the Western watercolor masters over the last two centuries — you can see influences of Thomas Girtin, John Sell Cotman, J.M.W. Turner, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, and Edward Seago flowing through his paintings.
Here’s what makes Chien Chung-Wei truly revolutionary:
He’s broken the boundary between watercolors and oil paints, creating a series of works that look like Romantic oil paintings from the 19th century.
These works completely changed the conventional impression of what watercolor could achieve.
His works are classic in color, with masterful brushstrokes that endow every character with rich fullness.
He creates beauty and intrigue of form even with ordinary subjects — and that’s the true enchantment of his watercolors.
Chien Chung-Wei is also the author of bestselling books The Intrigue of Form and Learning Watercolor from Demonstrations.
“Style is like the air surrounding a painter — constantly breathed in, yet impossible to grasp. Don’t search for style; just keep improving your painting skills, and style will follow.” — Chien Chung-Wei
This is your chance to learn from a master who has redefined what's possible with watercolor!
Here’s a small taste of what’s inside Painting Portraits in Watercolor:
● The revolutionary “Alla Prima Watercolor with Dry Brushing Technique” that transforms watercolor from unpredictable medium to controllable portrait tool…
● The “T-Shape” secret that guarantees accuracy in your portrait placement ... (this one technique alone eliminates the guesswork that frustrates most watercolor portrait attempts)...
● How to create natural skin tones using only a few colors ... while achieving a depth and richness that usually requires advanced color mixing skills…
● The “gradual development progression” that prevents paintings from “falling apart at the end” ... and why Chien’s approach feels less safe but produces far superior results...
● How to skip the pencil underdrawing and paint watercolor portraits with complete control ... using Chien’s direct brush approach that builds confidence from the very first stroke…
● How to use your brush to sculpt facial features with precision and control ... creating dimensional portraits that radiate life and character…
● The secret to preserving white paper effortlessly ... (you’ll never worry about “saving” whites again once you know this approach)...
● How to establish your portrait evenly as a whole, not piece by piece ... building from 85% accuracy to 100% precision with confidence at every stage…
● Why thinking in planes and geometric shapes instead of “eyes and noses” keeps your portraits fresh and prevents overworking…
● How to capture not just likeness, but the very essence and character of your subject ... using techniques that bring portraits to life…
● The method that eliminates traditional watercolor concerns about wet-into-wet, drying washes, and “fixing” mistakes ... (paint with the boldness you’ve always wanted!)...
● How to approach watercolor like drawing ... discovering that you don’t need to be a watercolor expert to create stunning portraits…
● How to build the basic structure using Chien’s dry watercolor painting technique ... (works best on hot-pressed, smooth watercolor paper for professional results you can see immediately)...
● The “flat brush technique” using a round brush ... discover how Chien transforms an ordinary round brush into a sculpting tool that creates form and dimension…
● How to paint people wearing glasses without getting overwhelmed ... (this specialized tip alone will save you hours of frustration on portrait commissions)...
● Why starting loose and building form and features graduallygives you unshakeable confidence ... instead of the fear that comes from trying to be perfect from the first stroke…
● The secret to using shoulders and body positioning to create rhythm and presence in your portraits ... (most artists focus only on the face and miss this powerful compositional element)...
● How to make constant adjustments and readjustments without fear ... because this method gives you complete control at every stage…
● The brushwork technique that follows facial form ... creating implied wrinkles and character lines that look natural, not overworked or artificial…
● Why focusing on saturation instead of complex color theory simplifies everything ... (Chien approaches this as drawing, with the only color consideration being how intense to make each area)...
● …and so many more incredible watercolor tips and tricks straight from a master!
Chapters
Introduction
Materials & Technique
Drawing & Block-In
Build the Portrait
Develop the Portrait
Continue the Painting
Review & Summary
EXTRAS:
High Speed View of the demonstration painting set to music — it’s fun to watch it develop
Exhibit of Works — View a collection of Chien’s paintings, inspirational and set to music
Insights from the Artist — Sit with Chien and learn how he got that first spark of passion for paint, and how he lives his life as an artist
