[Sonja Craen]

All this time when painting I use my brush differently: at one time using the tip and at another time pushing it flat, depending on the strokes. It's painting and drawing at the same time.

I soften or lift-out where necessary but in no case everywhere. Lots of brushstrokes remain, giving a stronger effect to the work.

Now I have been working around the painting for the second time and try to look at it very critically, and think about what still has to be done. I refuse to render everything I see and try to capture the essence. I add some shadow under the ear with a dash of blue, to show the feeling that the curl hanging over the face is a loose one.

At this stage I see nothing essential to be corrected and decide to stop, in order to prevent myself from fidgeting. I think trying out is a good expression for painting a watercolor.

This is my way of working. Maybe it is not the easiest one but definitely heavenly fascinating.

Very sincere greetings, and I hope you will have a go at it. Don't be afraid, jump in and keep it loose. If it doesn't work the first time, it will the next one.

P.S. The original portrait is 5O x 6O cms, framed and painted on Arches Torchon.