Artist Spotlight: Lionel Sanchez

Untitled by Lionel Sanchez; Watercolor on 140lb. cold press watercolor paper

In this painting, award-winning watercolorist and LEC instructor Lionel Sanchez depicts a rural scene with a brightly-colored architectural focus. We see a winding road curving toward a blue house and a thicket of soft, diffused woods blanketing the background. The peaceful scene is skillfully composed, and Lionel establishes a strong center of interest through expressive lines, contrasting texture, and bold color.

Starting in the foreground, we can see the dry brushing technique. The dark, bristly lines slash against the softer washes of white, gray, and pale yellow, creating a strong emphasis between light and dark as well as between soft and defined. Not only does this create a pleasing gradient of texture, but the bold, expressive lines guide the viewer’s eye along the curving road and toward the blue house, the center of interest.

The defined dry brushing in the foreground contrasts to the wet-on-wet technique used prominently in the background. The wet-on-wet technique creates the soft, diffused thicket of woods and the beautiful blooms of earthy green tones that seamlessly blend in to one another. The darker tones of the woods allow the bright blue house to pop forward, further emphasizing the center of interest while adding depth and dimension to the scene.

Watercolor Techniques with Lionel Sanchez (In-Person & Zoom)

Dive into the world of watercolor and develop your watercolor skills with award-winning painter Lionel Sanchez! Watercolor Techniques with Lionel Sanchez is great for beginner-to-advanced painters who want to learn new watercolor skills, practice watercolor techniques, explore artistic concepts, and gain confidence with watercolor in a paint-along format. The class is now available to take in-person and on Zoom!

Sign up here!

Lionel Sanchez

At the Life Enrichment Center, Lionel teaches beginner-to-advanced painters how to master the art of watercolor painting, building on the elements and principles of design in a paint-along format with landscapes and architectural subject matters.

Watercolor is Lionel’s primary medium, but he also works with graphite, acrylic, and pen & ink. His subject matter includes rural and urban landscapes, architecture, boats, and various outdoor landscapes. As a part of his artistic process, Lionel will often use abstract forms when sketching the framework of a piece. He prefers to paint “en plein air” with photography (and his imagination) as a studio reference. His goal with his artwork is to spark interest and elicit an emotional response, creating a dialogue between the artist and viewer. Read his full artist bio here.

Lionel holds Signature Member status in the Colorado Watercolor Society, Miami Watercolor Society, Florida Watercolor Society, and the Gold Coast Watercolor Society. Since moving to Florida, he has been presented several first places and best-in-show awards for his artwork. His work has been shown in the Vail Valley Invitation Northern Colorado Invitational, Pikes Peak Invitational and Glenwood Springs, winning numerous awards along the way including the People’s Choice at the Littleton Depot Art Gallery. His artwork is housed in numerous corporate, business, and private collections in Denver and throughout the Southwest.

To view more of his beautiful artwork, visit https://www.lionelsanchezart.com/