Painting Water Lilies: Light, Reflection & Design
Online Workshop- July 18 & 25
Two Sessions | 1–6 PM EST
Join award-winning artist Teresa Oaxaca for a two-session exploration of water lilies and the beautiful effects of light on water. Inspired by the timeless appeal of this subject, students will learn how to paint convincing reflections, transparency, floating leaves, blossoms, and the subtle movement of water while creating a strong and harmonious design.
Through live demonstrations and guided instruction, Teresa will discuss drawing, composition, value structure, color mixing, edge control, and techniques for depicting both the surface and depth of water. Special attention will be given to creating luminous flower passages, designing leaf patterns, and capturing the atmosphere of ponds and gardens.
The first session will focus on drawing, composition, and establishing the painting. Between classes, students will have time to continue working independently. During the second session, Teresa will demonstrate overpainting, glazing, texture development, and methods for increasing depth, richness, and realism in the finished work. Students will receive individualized feedback throughout both sessions.
This workshop is suitable for intermediate and advanced students working in oil paint. Recordings of both sessions will be available for later review. The class format follows Teresa’s popular online painting workshops, combining extensive demonstrations with opportunities for questions and critiques.
Topics Covered
- Designing a successful water lily composition
- Drawing floating leaves and flowers accurately
- Understanding water transparency and reflections
- Painting reflected sky, trees, and surrounding forms
- Creating convincing depth beneath the water’s surface
- Color mixing for greens, flowers, and water effects
- Edge control and lost-and-found passages
- Glazing and overpainting techniques
- Building texture and luminosity
- Finishing and refining the painting
Supply list- This list is what Teresa Oaxaca uses herself. Please feel free to substitute any colors you find too troublesome to acquire. It is optional to have the same materials for this course.
Brushes- Filbert, flat of Round. It is recommended that you acquire a “full set” (sizes 1-12) range, or skip every other size if you want to bring less brushes to class.
Paints-
Ultramarine Blue Green Shade (Natural Pigments (or any ultramarine blue from Old Holland or Michael Harding or another brand of your choice)
Chromium Oxide Green
Viridian
Lemon Ochre (or any Yellow Ochre)Cadmium Lemon
Cadmium Orange
Indian Red
Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide
Transparent Iron Oxide Brown
Rose Madder (or Alizarin Crimson, our Permanent Rose)
Cypress Umber Raw Dark (or a raw Umber)
Lead White (or Titanium white, Flake White Replacement)
Ivory Black
Cadmium Red
Cerulean Blue
French Sienna
Mediums- Age Refined Linseed Oil, Stand Oil
Canvas Support- One stretched and primed linen canvas (or panel), size up to you.
