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Studio Update 💙 Swan Lake WIP (Patreon)

Published:
2023-11-29 17:33:14
Edited:
2023-11-29 17:35:25
Imported:
2026-10

Content

Hi All! I wanted to share my latest composition, including step-by step process work for those of you who are interested in seeing the layers. I will post a video highlighting the key techniques on my YouTube channel this weekend. As always, this first study was quite chaotic in terms of the process as I've worked out the sequence of layers, the color palette and the value balance. Lots of room for improvement; next week I will get working on another variation of this composition for a Patreon tutorial. I may use a variation of the reference photo where the swans are shown from a different angle.... If you have any suggestions [remove blue background, change the flowers, adjust colors etc} please let me know 💙 Have a wonderful day!

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Comments

Jojo

Woooow! Looove it!

Jojo

I love the blue background but I would add some yellow/orange to the flowers like a reflection from the swans. Love this composition! They are hugging 🩷

Geri Kraynak

Anna, thank you for sharing the step-by-step process photos to help us better understand the layering process. The swans have such a beautiful glow and the background colors (pink peonies and blue background) reflect so perfectly in the swans--it's lovely.

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you - this is helpful! I see it, will use Coral instead of Magenta. May add Purple to te background to keep it all warm:) xoxo

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Geri! it took more layers than absolutely necessary but i needed to go slow to figure out the lights and darks.... I'll streamline it in the 2nd version :)

Anamika Banerjee

It's such a beautiful lovely composition. I won't change much anything ...its so beautiful <3

Astrid Blasweiler

Hi Anna, I think the swans and the flowers are beautiful💕. Who am I to give advice, but still... I will try. For me the most important part of the painting are the heads of the swans. The beaks of the swans seems to get a bit lost in the powerfull pink and orange heart of the flowers. I don't know how to solve it, may be there should be some green there or some muted colors. But it is a beautiful painting and if you leave it as it is, I would be delighted to paint along with you😊 Have a lovely painting day.

Dianne Carpenter

This is beautiful! I agree with Jojo that reflections from the swans would be nice. I can’t wait to paint this. I just finished the Autumn painting…it was so much fun!

Juli St

It's gorgeous.I would especially love it if the swans faced one another to form a heart. If not, I would like to see the back swan more distinctly. Can't wait to give it a go. 🦢❤️

Deb

Hi Anna, the swans and supporting florals are really beautiful. As you have said this is a first study, but I have to agree with Astrid the heads have become swallowed by the colour of the peonies. Also a slightly darker shadow between the swans heads and necks would better portray more of the sense of how close together they are. Really appreciate all the work you put into sharing your skills and knowledge with us.

Janet

Instead of the blue background, what about some lost edges on the background leaves? And/or a background of green which suggests distant leaves? Would complement the flowers very well.

Lynn Muster

Ooooh, I love this!!! I love the whole thing. I struggle with backgrounds, so I say leave it. We all need the practice! Maybe an option at the end to include it or not….

blossom kitty

I like the teal colour in the first layers of the leaves so I would like to see more of that. It would also make a nice shadow colour on the white swans. I don't know the lighting but the dark blue makes it seem like it could be shadowy. So more teal instead of dark blue also in the background is what I would probably love seeing. But only because you asked. It looks beautiful and I love how close they are with each other.

Kimberly potts

I think this is gorgeous. It has almost a folk art aspect, which I love. This will be wonderful, and in time for Valentine’s Day!

ines

would have made the background another color, or no color leaving it white. The flowers are gorgeous and the swan is superb!

Geraldine Hall

For me. there is not enough contrast between the front & back swans, especially around the heads & beaks. It's almost like seeing a double image or exposure. The colors are wonderful, but the back swan needs more shadow.

Kriss

I agree with Geraldine that there is not enough contrast between the front & back swans. Personally I love the blue background.

MaryBeth Lodato

I agree with others about the differentiation of the swans and I like the blue background, but I think I would do the background without the flowers because they detract from the beauty of the swans. The flowers are beautiful, and the swans are beautiful, but I find the two competing.

MARIANNE DANHOF

Lovely, but I cannot get used to the blue background. I left it overnight and this morning tried again. No change for me. I always love the white background with the subtle changes of green closer and further away. Having said this, it's all so personal. I am sure you will come with the greatest solution Anna.

Monalisa Mackey

I was thinking that since swans are water birds, how about trying out water lilies instead of roses as the flowers. The swans are beautiful!…but I also feel like the blue background takes away from them. I like the suggestion someone made of coral as a colour for the flowers, whether they remain as roses or if you try water lilies and you could maybe add a yellow-gold center to the lily.

SHASHA SHARTREUSE

Hi Anna, I love it with or without background. But it would be great if you would provide both tho. 🫶🏻🥰🥰🥰🥰

jane siewert

Guess I'm not a blue/pink person (unless doing total flowers) so would turn it more autumn colors but just my taste. Maybe one of the swans black or agree more contrast is needed. Really looking forward to this one.

Pam Pryce

I actually love the blue background. I love it all a LOT so please show it all🙏🏼

Mattie Denslow

Hello Anna, this is beautiful. I love your colour pallette and the atmospheric background. I think you could do it just the same with a different angle and have two matching pieces ❤️. You could try the waterlilies someone else mentioned. There are various yellow water flowers that would look great using burnt sienna in the flowers and the swans, tying it together. This would contrast nicely with your shadow colours, dioxazene purple & phthalo blue 💙 but you'd forgo your pinks and that may not be 'you'. Again, absolutely love it. 👏🏼

Cat

How did you get the supply list to print???

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you for this recommendation! Definitely looking at water lillies and lotus flowers - i can see now they would fit better than peonies! Working on a different angle this week for a full tutorial:)

Anna Bucciarelli

I can definitely see this now - water flowers would fit better! I sketched out the 2nd version and now testing lillies and possibly cattails. Thank you Monalisa!

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Kriss! I am doing a 2nd variation with 2 swans facing each other so hopefully this won't be an issue:)

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Shasha! I am working on a second version for a proper tutorial, and thinking maybe I'll just post this first one as a process only / no voice over in case people want to see it:)

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Pam! I am doing the 2nd version now, and debating whether to post the first one without voiceover anyway - just in case anyone wants to see the full process {although its much more "messy" the first time around}

Monalisa Mackey

You’re welcome! I can’t wait to see the final outcome 😊

Cat

Hi Ann for the swans

Pamela

It is perfection! I love your detailed and colorful work.

Linda Knox

I would love to see a hazy, slightly grayed green background to highlight the flowers and swan. The cool green would enhance the subject matter. This beautiful blue background is so bright that it competes with the soft swan and pink flowers. The blue would be lovely with some white flowers such as the lotus and perhaps a dragonfly for some life. Your work is all very beautiful.

Anna Bucciarelli

Thank you Linda. I am definitely leaning towards a more green and lighter background for the 2nd version!

Sammie Bryant

I agree regarding a lighter background. I look forward to seeing the final video. Your work is gorgeous.

Sammie Bryant

Will you still be posting this tutorial sometime in the future? The swans are so pretty.

OLGA Adams

I can’t wait for the complete voice over video. I’m planning on doing a swan heart as a wedding gift.

Meena Bobbi

Hi Anna, I have been looking for the tutorial for this on the Patreon page but I have had no luck finding it. Would it be possible to have the link?

Anna Bucciarelli

Hi Meena, I had this swan project on my to-do list earlier last year, but my first attempt at a different color scheme didn’t quite turn out as I hoped—not quite tutorial-ready. At the time, I adjusted the schedule and worked on another bird composition before moving on to other subjects.It’s still on my radar (as you may have noticed in some recent posts), so it will happen eventually. These more complex compositions, which go beyond simply painting from a reference photo, often require multiple attempts to get them just right. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding!