Follow along with the step-by-step demonstrations in this book to learn her effective (and often surprisingly simple) techniques. You'll see how to capture the rich, sunlit textures and colors of a variety of popular still-life elements. You'll also find advice on every aspect of painting still lifes--such as creating dramatic sunlit effects in your studio, setting up your arrangement, and designing a sparkling composition unified by light and shadow. Four complete painting projects--with every step explained, from arrangement to final touches--show you how to use all the skills you've learned, to put together gorgeous still lifes alive with light.

For more information on purchasing Liz's book, click on the image of the book.

"Liz Donovan's watercolor still lives are infused with the sparkle, color and movement of sunlight. Fabric and lace, glass and silver, and fruit and flowers are captured along with warm sunlit patterns and luminous shadows. She paints in a realistic, yet exciting and colorful style, full of wonderful detail. More than a collection of beautiful objects, Donovan's paintings capture a glorious moment of light."

-- North Light Books

I placed these strawberries on an eyelet cloth because I liked the way the dotted eyelet pattern seemed to repeat the dotted highlights on the strawberries. One strawberry was cut open for texture contrast and so I could dribble juice down the front of the cloth. Little messy, unexpected touches make paintings so much more interesting.

A gray-green background and a pale modified Cobalt Blue wash on the cloth set up the white highlights on the strawberries as the lightest value. Save the eyelet pattern and the highlights on the strawberries with frisket.