Learn the Art
Discover the techniques behind the Shuptrine style
Stephanie doesn't teach in-person classes, but she believes in sharing the knowledge her father passed to her. These illustrated guides will walk you through the foundations of watercolor painting—the same principles that have guided the Shuptrine studio for generations.
Learning Paths
Choose your journey and progress through step-by-step lessons
Watercolor Foundations
For beginners ready to make their first marks
- 1 Understanding Your Materials
- 2 The Magic of Water-to-Paint Ratios
- 3 Your First Wash Techniques
- 4 Preserving the White
- 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Building Form & Depth
Move beyond flat washes into dimension
- 1 Seeing Values: Training Your Eye
- 2 Wet-into-Wet vs. Wet-on-Dry
- 3 Layering Glazes Without Mud
- 4 Creating Atmospheric Perspective
- 5 Lost and Found Edges
The Shuptrine Approach
Techniques specific to the Shuptrine style
- 1 Capturing Light in Rural Landscapes
- 2 Bringing Life to Portraits
- 3 Wildlife Studies: Fur, Feathers, Eyes
- 4 The Emotional Palette
- 5 Knowing When It's Finished
The Mystery of Egg Tempera
An introduction to the ancient medium
- 1 What is Egg Tempera?
- 2 Making Paint: Pigments and Yolks
- 3 The Crosshatch Method
- 4 Why Artists Choose This Path
- 5 Egg Tempera Through the Ages
Quick Guides
Downloadable reference sheets for your studio
Color Mixing Cheat Sheet
Essential color combinations and mixing ratios
View GuideBrush Selection Guide
Which brush for which technique
View GuidePaper Weight Explained
Understanding paper weight and texture
View GuideSetting Up Your Workspace
Optimal studio arrangement and lighting
View GuideCaring for Finished Work
Preservation, framing, and storage
View GuideValue Scale Reference
10-step grayscale for tonal work
View GuideAsk Stephanie
Have a question about technique? Stephanie personally answers questions about materials, methods, and artistic decisions.