Breakthroughs & Brushstrokes: Inside the July 4-5 Peony Masterclass
- Elena Valerie
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
UPDATE 9TH JULY: Just wanted to let you know that one spot has unexpectedly become available for The Peony Painting Masterclass (July 11-12). A student had to withdraw due to personal reasons, making a single place open. Click here for all the details and to secure your place!
What an incredible two days! This past weekend, a group of talented and dedicated artists joined me for our intensive Peony Oil Painting Masterclass. The energy in the room was amazing, and the progress was even better. For those who are curious about what goes on in one of these workshops, I wanted to share a little recap of our journey.
The goal was ambitious: to tackle large-scale canvases (from 60cm up to a meter!) and create luminous, realistic peonies, each from a unique photo reference. The work was technical and of a high level, but the results were absolutely stunning.
Day 1: Building the Foundation with Colour and Theory
The first day was all about laying the groundwork. Before a single peony was started, we focused on the most crucial element: colour. The morning was a deep dive into theory, where I gave a full demonstration and step-by-step instructions on:
Colour Mixing: How to mix clean, neutral colours and avoid muddy tones.
Tonal Value: How to create and follow a "colour string" to ensure the painting maintains the correct tonal harmony from the start.
A Structured Process: A clear, step-by-step method to approach the painting, making the entire process easier and less intimidating.
In the afternoon, with this strong foundation of knowledge, the students moved to their own canvases—many of which were toned with a light pink to immediately create a harmonious base—and began to bring their own peonies to life.
Day 2: Mastering the Blend and Intricate Details
Our second day was dedicated entirely to practice newly learnt skills. The main focus was on the most-requested technique: blending. We covered:
How to create soft, seamless transitions between petals.
Which specific brushes to use for different blending effects.
How to handle the bright, complex yellow centers and stamens of the peony—a common struggle for many artists.
As a bonus, we even had time to break down the technique for painting realistic water droplets on petals!
The Biggest Breakthrough: "Trust the Process"
One of the most valuable lessons of the weekend was learning to "trust the process." A colour mixed on a palette often looks completely different when applied to a toned canvas. This can be unsettling, and the first instinct is often to think, "This is wrong!"
To overcome this, we used a grayscale ruler to measure the tonal value of our paint mixtures. This simple tool provides concrete proof that even if a colour looks different on the canvas, its value is correct. The real "aha!" moment came when students placed a second, neighbouring colour next to the first. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. They were amazed to see how colours only truly work in relationship to one another.
The Stunning Results
By the end of the second day, the room was filled with incredible works in progress. The students, by trusting the process and applying the techniques, had created peonies that were not plastic or flat, but airy, light, and transparent. They had achieved that beautiful, "glowing" effect with soft, seamless transitions that makes a flower painting truly come alive.
Thank you to all the wonderful artists who joined me, worked so hard, and trusted in the process. It was a joy to see your paintings—and your confidence—blossom. For those who are interested, our next masterclass is already scheduled for July 11-12!
Ready to Start Your Own Painting Journey? Feeling inspired by what these artists achieved? If you'd like to develop your skills in a fun, supportive, and ongoing setting, bookings for my Term 3 art classes are now open! It's the perfect way to build your confidence week by week.
