In the October issue of Watercolor Artist, Brenda Swenson challenged readers to use negative painting techniques to capture their subjects in watercolor. The response was incredibly positive, making this one of the most successful “Creativity Workshops” of all time. The “Editor’s Choice and winner of 1st prize was WSNC’s own Alexis Lavine for her painting Fresh Decaf (watercolor on paper 24 x 18). Alexis had the following remarks to share about her painting process.

"This watercolor relied heavily on negative painting. I started with a wet-in-wet under painting, using the three primary colors, to tone the paper and introduce color where I knew I would be wanting it. Then I painted around the shapes in the coffee machine, carafes, cups, sweetener, and window panes. Within those shapes I painted around highlights, reflections, and smaller descriptive and abstract shapes, to add interest, depth, complexity, and color. Towards the end of the painting I glazed on a few shadows and the orange accents in a positive manner. But, for most of the painting, I was adding glazes negatively and watching the positive shapes emerge!
By the way, I thought it was a fascinating challenge to create a painting based on a subject, which most people might not think twice about. We've all seen coffee machines like this, and we pour our coffee without giving them a second glance. I am hoping that my painting will grab my viewer's attention and command a second glance - and the appreciation of how an ordinary, everyday object can truly become an interesting and compelling piece of art!"

Congratulations Alexis from all of us at WSNC!