The first step is to sketch out my drawing on 140 lb. Arches paper which is mounted on incredible art board. I tape off the edges with masking tape.

I then begin with a wet-in-wet wash for the sky allowing the pigments to mingle and  run together while wet. Sometimes I will tip and turn the paper letting the pigment flow in different [...]

I also use a wet-in-wet watercolor technique for the water and the rocks. After they are dry I can use wet-on-dry overglazes to add color, contrast, and detail.

A good way to build up texture on the rocks with watercolor is to splatter with clear water just before the glaze dries. This creates a fun random texture that looks very much like stains on the [...]

The rocks and sky are now fairly complete, so I am going to move down into the water area and start the complex series of reflections that are characteristic of Lake Powell. When they are laid in [...]

Now I work on the undulating reflections in the foreground with larger shapes in front and smaller ones as they recede in space. Within those shapes I lay out the bending reflections of the [...]

“Peaceful Canyon” Lake Powell Watercolor by Roland Lee

The finished painting ready for framing. It is going in my upcoming “Canyon Country” one man show at the St. George Art Museum.