Wonderful Shauna Shane Watercolor Demo

We had the honor to have Shauna Shane demonstrate her watercolor technique at our May meeting.  She set up a still life with 5 vases of flowers on a piece of reflective glass, against a black backdrop and side-lit by a lamp. She also had the image displayed on her iPad for viewing.  She shared with us that watercolor (like all art) takes time, practice and a good instructor.

are something of yourself to make it your own.  She suggests always using a photograph you have taken and love.  She reminds us that colors on paper lighten by 25% when painting wet on dry.  Start with lightest colors and work your way darker, and cast shadows should have soft edges.  After loading paint on the brush, dip in water and snap brush.  She then pushes and lays the brush into the paper to leave an impression.  For more background on Shauna’s work, visit her website at www.ShaunaShane.com

Shauna likes M. Graham paints which have honey in the formula so they won’t mildew and favors Rosemany & Co brushes from England which is a blend with natural bristle and synthetic (she uses a #30 with a good tip).  She also suggests using rag paper which lasts forever vs. pulp paper which deteriorates over time.

Rather than looking at the images to paint, Shauna looks at negative space and the shape of shadows and light first, then patterns next.  She advises to be efficient, intentional and precise with every brushstroke being concise and minimal.  A good painting starts with good composition and the subject has personal meaning for you.  You must feel it, care about it and share something of yourself to make it your own.  She suggests always using a photograph you have taken and love.  She reminds us that colors on paper lighten by 25% when painting wet on dry.  Start with lightest colors and work your way darker, and cast shadows should have soft edges.  After loading paint on the brush, dip in water and snap brush.  She then pushes and lays the brush into the paper to leave an impression.  For more background on Shauna’s work, visit her website at www.ShaunaShane.com