April 2, 2026 - Veronica Sauer | south-hill-artists

Our Next Workshop Will Be With Artist

Veronica Sauer!

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

"Bold Acrylic Portraits"

Artist Bio

Veronica Sauer creates fine art rooted in abstract realism—bold, expressive work that resonates with collectors seeking striking, statement-making pieces. Working with acrylics, large brushes, and palette knives, she layers shadow, light, and emotion into every canvas. Her subjects span iconic portraits, pets and wildlife, and abstract landscapes, all unified by a signature style that is both elevated and deeply personal.

Exhibited in galleries, corporate spaces, and public venues, Veronica's work

complements contemporary interiors while offering lasting emotional and collectible value. She is based in Seattle.

Artist Statement

I believe color speaks directly to emotion—an instinctive language that stirs memory,movement, and meaning. My work blends abstraction and realism, layering unexpected color into familiar subjects to recast them with vitality and presence. Whether painting iconic figures, natural landscapes, or design-inspired forms, I seek to make the unseen seen—giving depth and dimension to what might otherwise be overlooked.

Collectors often tell me my art stays with them. One put it this way: "Her art drops into your soul and you can't stop hugging it with your brain." That's exactly the impact I aim to create.

Examples of Veronica's Work

Finding Connection in Process

Creating Likeness

How to create Likeness - Show side-by-side of human portrait to highlight areas of

lights, darks, shapes and shadows.

Materials

• Two canvases. Can be metal, wood, linen board, etc..

• Brushes, big and small, thick and thin

• Pallet knives, spatulas squeegees

• Acrylic paint. Black and white, red, blue, yellow, and other as desired.

• Flotrol leveling medium

• Small plastic bottles/containers, plastic cover to mix paints

• Chalk - white and colored

• Painting tape

• Plastic latex gloves, paper towels, water container

• Pencils/sharpener

• Tray for catching moisture

• Photo or photocopy

• Hairdryer

My Process

Present photo / subject for today’s painting.
Show example of progression creating the likeness in a portrait (Jimi Hendrix)
Under painting and orientation
Cropping and scale of subject.
Identify shapes, lights, darks, shadows
Blocking shapes only, no details. This is where you choose. The number of values

needed (shadows, lights, mid tones, and highlights) to appear more 3-D.

Taking measurements to exact scale, how to measure against photo template
After 20% of total time painting, it should look 80% finished.
Use palette knife, spatula or squeegee to frame subject
Use chalk to keep scale. Stand back to view from a distance as most art is viewed

from a distance so the painter must see this perspective which also helps to maintain scale.

Color bridging.
These are the mid tones and highlights that occur after the initial lights and darks are blocked in. The under painting should help you determine which colors to choose.
Variation in color, define some edges, add highlights, and refine.
Refine and define features and highlights. For any 3-D impact, use perspective, blurring through color saturation.
Let dry 2-3 days
Add protective coating or varnish for finishing.

If We Have Time

Abstract 2nd Canvas Underpainting

Orientation based on balance of shapes, colors, interest
Use framing to isolate deepest connection to color, design
Use chalk to highlight this area. This is identifying what you uniquely connect to and it gives you new opportunity in your creativity to explore.
Step back and determine if you want to change other parts of the underpainting or if you want to use mark making, prints or collage, texture, mediums, etc to continue.