Six Decisions That Shape a Strong Painting
When Ron Stocke (Ep.78) looks for a scene to paint, he will stop for beautiful light every single time.
But good light alone won’t save a painting.
Without clear decisions up front, even a beautiful scene can turn into a rushed, muddy, frustrating experience—especially in watercolor, where hesitation shows immediately.
Stocke is a watercolorist, and that means he needs real clarity about how he’ll approach a scene before he lifts a single brush. Once the paint starts flowing, he’s working against the clock. There’s no pausing to rethink the big picture.
So before he begins mixing paint or wetting his surface, he studies the scene and answers six key questions:
What is my focal point?
Which shapes can I connect?
What is the painting’s temperature (warm vs. cool)?
What mood am I aiming for?
What can I leave out?
What can I add to make it more interesting?
These decisions don’t lock him in. Instead, they free him to paint with confidence once the brush hits the paper.
Put it to Practice:
These six considerations don’t take Stocke much time anymore. He’s done them so often that they’re now instinctual.
If you don’t yet have practice making these kinds of decisions before starting a painting, the process may feel clunky at first. That’s normal.
The way it becomes easier is to intentionally hold time for it. These choices reduce decision fatigue while you’re painting. That alone can make your painting sessions more enjoyable.
Start by making notes. Do quick thumbnails. Begin building toward a specific painting with clear goals.
Use the list above and write down your answers so they’re concrete. Then refer back to that sheet as you paint to make sure you’re still heading in the right direction.
Over time, this kind of pre-planning won’t feel like extra work. Like Stocke, it will become second nature. And instead of slowing you down, it will help you paint with more clarity, confidence, and ease.