For Raniya Shakir, landscape painting is about more than capturing a place—it is about capturing a feeling.
Inspired by nature’s quieter moments, she creates watercolor scenes filled with soft light, peaceful skies, misty mountains, and tranquil countryside views. Through the fluid beauty of watercolor, her work invites viewers to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with a sense of calm.
In this interview, she shares her journey with watercolor, the landscapes that inspire her most, and the atmosphere she hopes to bring to every painting.
Finding Stillness in Landscape
What first drew you to painting landscapes in watercolor?
I’ve always been drawn to the beauty of nature and the sense of peace it brings!
What do you enjoy most about capturing calm and peaceful scenes? Are there certain places or environments that inspire you most?
love creating artwork that gives people a moment to pause and breathe. In today’s busy world, I hope my paintings become a small escape. I’m especially inspired by quiet countryside scenes, misty mountains, forests, lakes, cozy cottages, and peaceful skies.
How did watercolor become your preferred medium for landscapes?
I started with watercolor because it was beginner-friendly, easy to maintain, and required very little setup compared to other mediums. As I explored it more, I fell in love with its fluidity and soft, atmospheric effects. It became the perfect medium for my landscapes, and I never looked back.
What emotions or atmosphere do you hope your paintings carry?
I hope my paintings bring a sense of peace, comfort, and hope. If my paintings can make someone feel calmer, even for a few minutes, I’ve achieved what I set out to do.
Could you share your favorite piece of work at this stage and introduce it briefly?
I create watercolor landscapes inspired by nature, light, and quiet moments. My paintings blend realism with a soft, atmospheric style, celebrating the beauty found in simple scenes.
How did teaching and sharing tutorials become part of your journey?
Teaching became a part of my journey quite organically. As I shared my paintings and process on social media, people started asking for tutorials and wanted to learn how I approached watercolor. I realized I genuinely enjoyed breaking down techniques and making watercolor feel less intimidating. That eventually led me to create tutorials!
Water, Light & Atmosphere
How do you create a sense of calm and softness in your landscapes?
Soft edges, muted colours, and gentle value contrast. I also keep areas of rest so the painting feels open and calm.
What role does water control play in your painting process?
It decides softness vs detail, flow vs structure, and helps create those calm, atmospheric layers I love.
How do you approach light and atmosphere in watercolor?
Think in big light shapes first. Keep values light, soften edges in the distance, and reserve strong contrast only for the focal point.
What do you look for in brushes when painting landscapes?
Soft bristles with the ability to hold water and have pointy tip, without shedding
How have Artify brushes supported your watercolor process or teaching sessions, if at all?
I love using them and I recommend artify brushes to my students
What challenges come with teaching watercolor landscapes to beginners?
The main challenge is helping them slow down and trust simple steps instead of rushing into details. Beginners often want control, but watercolor needs patience and layering.
What do you hope people feel when they paint along with you?
Are there new landscapes or environments you’d love to explore through painting?
More of Rural landscapes, deep forests, soft sunsets, sunlit trees
What keeps landscape painting meaningful to you over time?
It reminds me to slow down, appreciate nature, notice the beauty in ordinary moments and create a calm feeling that I can share with others.
What does teaching bring to your artistic practice?
Teaching keeps my practice alive and intentional. It forces me to break things down simply, stay consistent, and see my own process more clearly.
How would you like people to remember your paintings years from now?
I would like them to feel a sense of calm and quiet emotion—like a soft memory of light, nature, and stillness that stays with them long after.
In a world that rarely slows down, Raniya’s paintings offer a gentle invitation to pause.
Through soft washes, atmospheric landscapes, and a deep appreciation for nature’s quiet beauty, she creates work that encourages reflection, comfort, and calm.
And sometimes, a peaceful moment is exactly what we need.
Want to see more from Raniya? Find her here:
Raniya's Linktree
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