In the Studio with… Cheryl A. Fausel

‘My Number is Three’

My preferred subject matter is a unique form of cityscapes. I prefer reflections of store windows, sometimes creating my own concept of a reflection. This combination speaks to my inner being. It gives me the possibility of working realistically in an abstract manner. For this painting (a 14×20 watercolor), I used two different photos to create the effect that I was looking for.

The first thing I did was to rework the photo in Photoshop Elements to create a semblance of a drawing, eliminating a great deal of superfluous detail. I added a second photo to the original drawing, not using the computer in this case. I resized the drawing (with the computer) to fit my watercolor paper. I then transfer the images to my watercolor paper using a light table.

I complete the drawing with light mechanical pencil lines on watercolor paper so that the drawing disappears within the painting. Each artist has her own way of approaching a painting. I choose to start with a section that I feel will be the most difficult element so that I don’t work weeks or months on a painting and then ruin it.

I then work the rest of the piece, section by section. I use the photo as a take-off point but may change colors as needed to create harmony or mood, or to create a more dramatic effect. Aside from the customary paint, brushes, and water, I use masking tape for control and “magic eraser” to change parts or fix mistakes. The wonderful moment when a painting is completed ­— that’s the reward for all the hard work and hours needed to create my own expression.

About the Artist

Cheryl Fausel, Southwest Florida Branch president, is an internationally acclaimed watercolor artist who has won numerous awards from local and international exhibitions.