Thursday, December 25, 2014

Lela Stankovic - My Watercolor Painting Style

1) My painting style is multi-layered build of one color layer at the top of another until desired color, intensity and overall appearance is accomplished. I start with very careful observation of the painting subject. Then I ask myself questions ... many of them. Once I am comfortable with what I plan to accomplish with a painting, what to include and what to exclude, I stretch watercolor paper and draw the composition. Only then painting with color begins.

I usually paint the main subject first, so that I can get a feeling how to handle background and the rest of the painting. Here I painted water lily by following the same painting process described in detail in my e-book "Painting Glorious Rose Flowers in Watercolor - in 7 Stages". In a nutshell, I paint first the value scale, then color of light and finally all shadow components. The gray dots are masking fluid, used to preserve white of the paper for later stages.



2) Initial color layer in shades of yellow, pink and blue.

3) Painted leaves. The adjustments will be completed in the final painting stage.

4) Painted first water layer.

5) Painted additional color layers on the grass and lily roots.

6) Removed masking fluid.
 
7) Painted all remaining elements, dew drops, ladybug and her reflection, except hart of the water lily. Many color layers were applied. In some areas more than 10 layers.

8) The last 7-th stage - final adjustments of the whole painting, including painting all fine details. Here is the completed watercolor painting. In this stage I spend more time observing the painting then actually painting it. Every detail, edge, color, shadow is checked and corrected as needed.



"Water Lily"
Lela Stankovic
8 X 6 inches
Watercolor on Arches 140 lb hot pressed paper
http://www.lelacreations.com



18 comments:

Syls said...

What a fabulous picture you have brought together .your watercolour made up of all those layers has so much depth and strength.it certainly is the way to approach watercolour, and your e-book is very useful.
Wonderful,well done 😀

Valérie M. said...

Incredible !!!!! So realistic !!!! Fantastic painting and work Lela, thanks for sharing all this stages....

Shirley Bond said...

Just beautiful.Interesting how you go aout painting. I certainly have a lot ot learn.

Horst said...

Wonderful Demo Lela.Thank You.

Angelique de Vries said...

Wow!!! That is really beautiful! Great work, and lovely to see all the stages! Fantastic painting!!

Sherry said...

Absolutely beautiful demonstration, Lela. Thank you for sharing! :o)

Paint and Draw Together said...

Dear Syl, Valérie, Shirley, Horst, Angelique, Sherry, your support and kind words are so motivating and I am really happy that you like my painting.

I love Water Lilies and I wanted my painting to show my love for this beautiful flower.

You really made my day with your comments and like all artists I cherish most the words of encouragement from fellow artists like yourselves. Thank You for always being there with kind words and support.



Helen said...

The final product is beautiful; but the process you showed is equally as lovely. It's like a little mini lesson in watercolor from a master painter and teacher.
Thanks for sharing!
Helen

Paint and Draw Together said...

Thank you so much for your kind words Helen. I am very happy that you liked the painting and my approach for it. Thank You!

painting in tuscany said...

Such a beautiful painting - wonderful at all the stages.

Paula said...

Beautiful. Nice use of resist. Your leaf veining and water drops are an exquisite touch.

Paint and Draw Together said...

Dear Sabine, Paula
Thank you very much for your words of encouragement and support. It means a lot to me.
Thank you!

painting in tuscany said...

It's so beautiful, Lela!

Paula said...

The attention to details is superb. The light reflections along the leaf edges, the underwater leaves, the depth of color: All very beautiful.

Unknown said...

wonderful, fantastic painted very realistic, thanks to the detailed explanations

Paint and Draw Together said...

Thanks Sabine, Paula, Carla. I am really grateful for your kind comments and they make me so happy. Thank you.

renate said...

Dear Lela:) I loved to see your beautiful painting and all the stages you walked thrue to come to such a master painting!
I can't wait to start again!

Paint and Draw Together said...

Dear Renate, thanks so much for your kind words. Your support has meant so much to me personally and to all of us at PADT over the years that we have been painting together. We all look forward to your painting and joining us back Renate!