Victoria Olson Art – Watercolor, Egg Tempera & Oil

Wild Flowers – Watercolor Art Making Process

Wild Flowers in Pickle Jar is one of the watercolors from a spring series that I’m painting. Spring is my favorite time of year because there is a special light, color and interesting forms and shapes everywhere. I always start with my favorite part. Then I build everything around it. As I’m painting, I want…

Wild Flowers in Pickle Jar is one of the watercolors from a spring series that I’m painting. Spring is my favorite time of year because there is a special light, color and interesting forms and shapes everywhere.

Putting in the contasting color and estimating where everything can build onto it. — Started off with a light drawing to make sure the jar is parallel to the picture plane. Then I put in the contrasting color and estimate where everything can build onto it.

I always start with my favorite part.

I don't pencil in the shapes of the flowers, I paint them directly with a brush, so that they don't look hard and cut out. — I don’t pencil in the shapes of the flowers, I paint them directly with a brush, so that they don’t look hard and cut out.

Then I build everything around it.

Wild Flowers in Pickle Jar April 2015 Watercolor on Arches 300 GSM - 15 in x 11 in - 38 cm x 28 cm — Wild Flowers in Pickle Jar April 2015 – Watercolor on Arches 300 GSM – 15 in x 11 in – 38 cm x 28 cm

As I’m painting, I want to get it in one shot and stop when the paper is covered.