Painting a Watercolor from a Snapshot

Mar 12, 2011 | 25 comments

I thought it might be fun for readers to see the process I use when painting from a photo or snapshot. I have to give most of the credit for this process to Donna Zagotta, who emphasized this design process in her workshop. I’m hoping my own style comes through in the actual painting though, and not hers! Let me know what you think….

Here's my inspiration photo of my darling friend, Susie

My next step was to simplify and hone in on the parts of the subject that interested me by creating a line drawing as seen below.

: Notice how much information I eliminated in this stage

Another objective was to try to combine shapes to make larger shapes, ending with about twelve large shapes. I also looked for a variety of sizes of shapes, large & small, simple and busy.

Next, I experimented with value patterns, or patterns of dark and light areas. Below you can see several of my ideas sketched out.

Using tracing paper for this step makes it easier… I didn’t have to re-draw my shapes each time. You can see that the first sketch is closer to what was actually in the photo, but it felt a bit too dark and too simple to me. Sketch # 2 was a bit better, but I felt like sketch #3 had the mood of fun and excitement that I was looking for.

Next, I did a small (3″x4″) color study. I always love to emphasize color and push the envelope. This was a chance to play and I love the fresh quality of the sketch.

At this point, I noticed some opportunities to connect lights and darks and made a few notes about things I didn’t like about the sketch. One thing I wanted to eliminate was the contrast at the edge of the curves arching away from the head. That’s one thing I changed when I did the final painting. Can you spot others? I may try this subject again in a different palette, but for now… here is the final image: “Star-Struck”

25 Comments

Jo Reimer on March 12, 2011 at 2:51 am

I like it a lot! I also have watched Donna’s DVD several time, always intending to try the process but haven’t tried it yet. Now you make me even more interested.
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- Ruth on March 12, 2011 at 3:41 am
  
  Thanks Jo! Donna’s workshop was really very inspiring… I would encourage you to take a class from her if you ever get a chance…
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Margaret on March 12, 2011 at 3:57 pm

I like the instructional blog, and I love the painting. It does look like your work–the colors, the painting language. Thanks for sharing.
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- Ruth on March 12, 2011 at 4:35 pm
  
  Thanks Margaret! Glad to hear it feels like mine…. I love using this process for design.
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Marilyn Woods on March 12, 2011 at 4:54 pm

Really loved this blog – a whole class in a blog. Way to go! Thanks so much.
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Ruth on March 12, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Thanks so much Marilyn!
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Diane Pinney on March 12, 2011 at 5:24 pm

Ruth, I have painted two pieces in her style and I love what you can do with the white gouache! I like how you have used color to relate areas in your painting – every color everywhere – and let your brush stokes sing! But then you usually paint like that. Lovely piece!
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- Ruth on March 12, 2011 at 5:37 pm
  
  Thank you Diane 🙂 It is always a challenge for me to leave the brush strokes visible. That is something I’ve been working hard on!
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Jeanie on March 12, 2011 at 5:38 pm

Love the painting!
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Linda Rothchild Ollis on March 12, 2011 at 7:13 pm

Great review of the design lesson from Donna’s workshop, Ruth.
I enjoyed seeing your the steps of your painting process.
Fun energy and attitude pop off the page in you final painting.
Susie will enjoy seeing this!
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- Ruth on March 12, 2011 at 10:28 pm
  
  Thanks Linda & Jeanie 🙂
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Nancy Maxfield Lund on March 13, 2011 at 1:16 am

I love your “Star”. What a great painting. Nice work Ruth.
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- Ruth on March 13, 2011 at 3:46 am
  
  Thanks Nancy 🙂
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Lucy on March 13, 2011 at 5:30 am

Not being anything close to an artist, I have always wondered how artists paint from a picture. Thanks for giving me the Cliff notes version! I think the final painting is even more full of life and fun than the original picture. Great one.
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- Ruth on March 13, 2011 at 7:23 am
  
  Thanks Lucy! I thought this might be particularly interesting to non-artists….
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Liz Walker on March 13, 2011 at 3:46 pm

Great work, Ruth–really nice description & images of your process. Might be fun if you gave a workshop on this–I enjoyed the one you taught at Village gallery a year or so ago.
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- Ruth on March 13, 2011 at 4:39 pm
  
  Thanks Liz,
  I do enjoy teaching 🙂 This process works well in a workshop setting.
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Dayna on March 13, 2011 at 10:20 pm

Very successful painting! I love your vibrant use of color. Lovely.
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Diane Pinney on March 27, 2011 at 10:44 pm

Ruth, I have watched Donna’s DVD umpty-dumpty times and just worked on my third, fourth and fifth paintings in her style. It is still hard for me to get a grip this. Are there some people who took her class with you in the PDX area who might be willing to be a ‘Zagotta Critique Group’; to meet from time to time to help raise it to a higher level, take it to the edge and challenge each other?
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- Ruth on March 28, 2011 at 3:30 pm
  
  Hi Diane,
  That is a great idea. I will look for the class list & see if I can get in touch with people. Are you working on different versions of the same painting or several different paintings?
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  - Diane Pinney on March 28, 2011 at 5:58 pm
    
    I am working on different paintings, although I am going to try a couple of the same ones in a different palette.One of the problems I am having is keeping my watercolor paint nice and juicy; it dries out so quickly.
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Blenda Tyvoll on March 28, 2011 at 5:46 am

Hi Ruth, the new blog is fabulous! I like Donna Zagotta’s way of designing a painting. Your results are beautiful.
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- Ruth on March 28, 2011 at 3:28 pm
  
  Thanks Blenda 🙂
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Jane Roskamp on April 20, 2012 at 11:15 am

I just got Donna’s DVD and am so excited to use her ideas. I think you did a wonderful job, it makes me want to try to paint to night.
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- Ruth on April 20, 2012 at 11:27 am
  
  Hi Jane,
  Thanks for leaving a comment! I think you should jump right in while you’re inspired! Best to you…
  Ruth
  Reply