First, I look at what I’m going to paint and think about fitting it in the picture plane. I’m starting out lightly directly with paint.

Here, I continue lightly, making sure everything fits in the picture plane since  I didn’t start with a preliminary drawing.

After I figure out where the model goes on the picture plane, I start building up more color and shape around it, only painting what I see.

Here I start building up detail around what has already been painted. I don’t re-paint or put more layers where it has already been painted. I just keep on working around the paper to keep balance in check.

At this point, I’m looking for contrasting colors, but still, I’m only painting the colors, shapes and forms that I see.

I’m finishing up here, looking for more contrast so that the glass vase reflected in the mirror doesn’t get lost in the printed material in the background.

Red Roses in Blue Vase 2015 – Watercolor on Arches 640 GMS – 22″ x 16″ – 56 cm x 58 cm

Here is the model for Red Roses in Blue Glass Vase 2015