Artist Konstantin Sterkhov on Mindfulness and the Ever-Evolving Art of Watrecolour
Konstantin Sterkhov is a world-renowned watercolor artist, teacher, and author with a deep passion for his craft. In this interview, he shares his creative journey, the magic of watercolor, and the delicate balance between control and letting go. He talks about how travel, mindfulness, and spontaneity shape his work and why teaching others brings him so much joy. He also gives us a fresh perspective on how watercolor has evolved and continues to inspire him. Whether you’re an artist or simply curious about the creative process, this conversation is full of insights and inspiration from a true master.
Konstantin Sterkhov is a featured artist in our book “101 Art Book: Portrait Edition .” You can explore his journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here: https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book
Konstantin Sterkhov is an internationally recognized artist, instructor, and author born in Russia. As a renowned watercolor artist, he was granted a Global Talent visa for the UK. Sterkhov has authored six books in the series ‘Masters of Watercolor,’ five tutorial books on watercolor technique, and ‘Planet of Watercolor’ almanacs. He is in demand worldwide as an exhibitor, author, instructor, and juror. The Artefacto school has produced numerous best-selling series of instructional videos featuring his technique.
His work is collected worldwide and is part of several permanent collections, including Museo de la Acuarela in Mexico, Erarta Contemporary Museum in St. Petersburg, Ita-Haamen Museo in Finland, and Museo della Carta in Fabriano, Italy. Sterkhov’s artworks have been featured in prestigious international watercolor exhibitions in various countries, such as the International World of High Watercolor Exposition in Moscow, the ‘Geniuses of Watercolor’ Exhibition in New Delhi, India, Fabriano in Aquarello in Italy from 2016 to 2023, Marche d’Acqua at Fabriano Watermark Museum from 2016 to 2022, Art Saloon in Qingdao, China, Silk Road International Exposition in Xi’an, and Shenzhen Watercolor Biennial 2013 – Re-interpretation, China, among others. He has received awards for his fine art, including the First Place Award in Cityscape at the Art Bridge Biennial 2021 in St. Petersburg and the First Place Award in Landscape at the Art Bridge Biennial 2019. Sterkhov was also a finalist for the ‘Best Drawings of 2021’ – the ‘Abu Rawash Masters Award.’
His paintings and writings have been featured in various magazines and art publications, including ‘The Art of Watercolour’ and ‘Practique des Arts,’ as well as the IWS Magazine. Proudly serving as an International Brand Ambassador, Konstantin Sterkhov represents art supplies companies in the artistic community. “Water is formless, and the process of creating an illusion of form on a sheet of paper is a miracle. It requires a subtle balance between control and surrender. When the artist tends to exert too much control, the miraculous aspect fades. Perhaps the most challenging part for the artist is letting go of the responsibility of being “the creator” and surrendering to the solutions that water provides. It is a somewhat meditative process when trying to be as flexible as water and go with the flow.”
1. You describe watercolor as a balance between control and surrender. How do you personally navigate that balance?
I separate demos for teaching from my major painting works. While teaching, I sometimes indulge in experiments with the medium. For major works, the technical aspects need to be predictable, though I allow for some unplanned accidents. The biggest challenge with watercolor is that it doesn’t let you recreate the same effect twice—even if you were the one who achieved it before.
Watercolor is a balance between control and letting go.
Konstantin Sterkhov
2. Your work is internationally recognized. How has teaching and exhibiting across different cultures shaped your creative approach?
Travel has always influenced my painting—shaping my subjects, impressions, and approaches. Participating in international events provides the opportunity to see my work alongside other masters, broadening my criteria for self-evaluation. It pushes my work to a higher level and prevents me from getting stuck at any stage.
3. What role does meditation or mindfulness play in your watercolor practice?
I prefer to talk about thoughtlessness, which plays a significant role in my practice. In fact, that thoughtless state of mind is what I call meditation. There is a time for thinking and planning, but the moments when you reset yourself by clearing your mind are even more important. This is how you connect with spontaneous creative energy and open yourself to insights and inspiration.
Most of my books are collections of interviews with top watercolor masters in the Masters of Watercolour series. I asked renowned artists the questions I believe many watercolor enthusiasts would love to ask but never had the chance to. I take every opportunity to promote the watercolor medium, and I hope my readers—as well as the artists featured in the books—have discovered new names, ideas, and inspiration.
Inspiration can come from anywhere: the works of old masters, contemporary art, and even my students’ creations. But the greatest excitement comes from life itself, which provides endless ideas and subjects for painting.
Konstantin Sterkhov
5. What inspires you most when creating a new piece—subject, emotion, or the unpredictability of water?
The most inspiring subjects for me are portraits and figures—people captured in real-life situations, accidental street scenes, the play of light and shadow, and many other things. I see myself as an observer, always searching for interesting subjects, faces, and creative solutions to translate into paintings. Watercolor offers endless possibilities for expression; it can be wild, loose, and spontaneous or strict, precise, and sharp.
6. With such an extensive career, what still excites you about watercolor today?
I continue to travel and meet fellow artists, regularly checking my social media feed to stay updated. I must say that art is an inexhaustible source of inspiration—I discover new ideas every day. Inspiration can come from anywhere: the works of old masters, contemporary art, and even my students’ creations. But the greatest excitement comes from life itself, which provides endless ideas and subjects for painting.
Watercolor has also evolved over the past couple of decades. It has become more contemporary, with boundaries and restrictions gradually dissolving. It has moved further into mixed media, and I’ve noticed that there are almost no limitations in subject matter or size. This medium, once considered secondary, now stands on equal footing with any other.
Konstantin Sterkhov’s passion for watercolor shines through in everything he does. His journey as an artist and teacher shows us that creativity is all about learning, experimenting, and letting go. Whether through his books, exhibitions, or lessons, he continues to inspire others to explore the magic of watercolor. As the art world evolves, he remains a strong voice, pushing the boundaries of what watercolor can do while staying true to its essence. To learn more about Konstantin, click the following links to visit her profile.
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