You’ll need: a picture, a sharpie, watercolour paints and watercolour paper

Scan or upload the picture you want to paint onto a computer. Convert the image to black and white, and raise the contrast. If you have photoshop you can use an effect called stamp to isolate the key parts of your picture, making the next step easier. Once you’ve flipped the image like a mirror print it out.

I'm doing a picture of my Grandfather for my Grandma's Christmas present.

Using tracing paper draw out the dominant shapes of your image.
Transfer the image onto watercolour paper.

Using a sharpie (or any permanent marker) colour in the image outline.

Paint in the rest of the image using watercolour. You can also use tissue paper to create a cool, colourful background.

My pictures a little curled... once I put it in a frame it should be fine.

Unfortunately my camera sucks, but trust me, it looks way better. =P