“Vlad Yeliseyev is no stranger to beautiful scenery. In fact, he’s traveled around the world to paint interesting cityscapes and landscapes. But unlike many artists who are drawn to a postcard-perfect site, Yeliseyev usually can be found around the back of a building, along the street or in an alleyway, capturing commonplace scenes," wrote BJ Foreman in her article "Everyday Poetry" in the Watercolor Artist Magazine (Feb.2016).

Vladislav Yeliseyev is a renowned watercolor and plein air artist known for his ability to capture everyday scenes with a unique perspective. Originally from Russia, he brought his Classical Art education and a Master's Degree in Architecture when he immigrated to the United States in the 1980s.

For over 30 years, Vladislav has lived and worked in the United States, amassing a dedicated following of art enthusiasts. His paintings can be found in personal and commercial collections worldwide.

His artwork is praised for its mastery of light and color, showcased through bold brushstrokes, skillful color schemes, and clear calligraphy. With a limited palette and minimal brushstrokes Vlad creates paintings that evoke a sense of the depicted objects rather than their intricate details. He often employs warm colors to achieve richness while maintaining the transparency of watercolor. Vlad's intention is not to simply depict the object itself but to capture the light, leaving room for interpretation and evoking a poetic response from the viewer.

Vladislav's artistic goal is to express as much as possible with minimal brushwork, allowing the viewer to experience the essence of the scene.

After a successful career as an architectural illustrator, in addition to his artistic pursuits Vladislav has established himself as a sought-after speaker, demonstrator, and educator in the watercolor and plein air communities. He has been invited to watercolor and plein air conventions across the United States and served as a jury member and judge for national and regional competitions. His participation in highly regarded invitational paint-outs and competitions has earned him numerous prestigious awards and accolades. Vladislav conducts virtual workshops, plein air and studio workshops as well as hosts art holidays in Europe.

To share his knowledge and refined technique with aspiring artists, Vladislav Yeliseyev has developed a comprehensive range of educational materials, including video master classes available on streaming platforms such as Vimeo and YouTube. These courses offer in-depth guidance on his signature approach to watercolor, emphasizing clarity, efficiency, and a strong foundation in the fundamentals of painting in the watercolor medium.

Expanding on his teaching legacy, Vladislav recently authored the book Light and Color in the Watercolor Landscape: Essential Principles and Techniques for Artists. While the title highlights key themes, the book goes far beyond, offering a deep and practical exploration of watercolor painting. It covers essential skills such as color mixing with primaries, understanding planes of vision, and, of course, the art of painting light. Vladislav also guides artists through a wide range of techniques—from developing a loose, expressive approach to achieving convincing texture for realism, mastering unifying washes, and skillfully managing hard and soft edges. Equally important, he addresses the artistic mindset, helping painters build confidence, simplify complex scenes, and approach their work with clarity and purpose.

Through his videos, workshops, and now his book, Vladislav continues to inspire a global community of artists, making his knowledge accessible to those seeking to grow with confidence and creativity.

He is an exhibiting member of many art societies nationwide and holds Signature membership in esteemed organizations such as American Impressionist Society and the National Watercolor Society.

His work has been featured in renowned publications, including Watercolor Artist magazine (USA), PleinAir Magazine ( USA), Art of Watercolour (France), Fine Art Connoisseur (USA), Artists & Illustrators (UK) and others.

On the cover of the magazines:

"Cartagena Street", Fine Art Connoisseur - April 2026

"Paris Red Awnings", Plein Air Magazine, Dec. 2023

"Royal Opera", Watercolor Artist, Feb. 2016     

For gallery representations and workshop invitations for your art group, please contact Marina Yeliseyev, YStudio Manager, at [email protected]

Selected Honors & Awards

• Best of Show Award American Impressionist Society - 10th Annual AIS Impressions 2026
• Best Architecture Award Olmstead Plein Air Invitational - April 2026
• Outstanding Watercolor Award sponsored by FASO - February 2026
• Cover Artist - Artwork was featured on the cover of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, April 2026
• Outstanding Watercolor Award sponsored by FASO - January 2024
• Cover Artist - Artwork "Paris Cafe" was featured on the cover of Plein Air Magazine, January 2024
• Author of the Article "Mix Your Primaries" published by Plein Air Magazine, January 2024
• Juror and Judge for 47TH INTERNATIONAL WATERMEDIA EXHIBITION sponsored by WAS-H
• Juror and Judge for 2023 NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL EXHIBITION sponsored by NEWS
• Awarded "Honorable Mention" - 24th Annual AIS National Juried Exhibition
• Outstanding Watercolor Award sponsored by FASO - July 2023
• Faculty Member and Demo Artist – 2023 Plein Air Convention in Denver, CO
• Best Architecture Award - Wayne Plein Air Festival 2023
• Faculty Member - 3rd Annual Watercolor Live 2023
• Award of Excellence - American Impressionist Society 2022
• Plein Air Festival Judge and Presenter - 6th Annual Kekionga Plein Air Event 2022
• Guest Speaker - FORT WAYNE Museum of Art
• 2nd Place Award Wet Wall Paint Out - American Impressionist Society 2022
• John Tatge Memorial Award Hudson Valley Art Association 2022
• Outstanding Watercolor Award sponsored by FASO - October 2021 
• Artistic Palette Award - 21st Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational - October 2019
• 1st Place Award - Olmstead Plein Air Invitational, Quick Draw - April 2019
• 1st Place Award - 2nd Annual Laguna Plein Air Painters National Juried Art Show "Waterworks" - May 2018
• People's Choice Award - Forgotten Coast en Plein Air  Invitational - May 2018
• 3rd Place Award - Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Invitational , Quick Draw - May 2018
• 1st Place Award - Olmstead Plein Air Invitational, Quick Draw - April 2018
• Best Urban Landscape Award - Olmstead Plein Air Invitational - April 2018
• Outstanding Watercolor Award from FASO - September 2017  
• Jim Carpenter Memorial Award, First Place - 2017 Florida Watercolor Society
• First Place Award - 2017 Adirondack Plein Air Festival
• Best of Show Award 2017 Mountain Maryland Plein Air
• Quick Draw Third Place Award Forgotten Coast Plein Air Invitational May 2017 
• Public Choice Award Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Invitational May 2017 
• Best Architecture Award Olmstead Plein Air Invitational April 2017
• Outstanding Watercolor Award FASO March 2017 
• Awarded Signature Member American Impressionist Society 2016
• Artwork Archive Award of Merit American Impressionist Society 2016
• Best of Show Award 2016 Mountain Maryland Plein Air for the painting “Bridges of Cumberland
• Third Prize Award Easels in Frederick 2016 for the painting “Train Depot”
• Collector’s Choice Award Easels in Frederick 2016 for the painting “Church Street”
• People’s Choice Award Easels in Frederick 2016 for the painting “Church Street”
• Faculty Member and Demo Artist – 2016 Plein Air Convention in Tucson, AZ
• Awarded Signature Member National Watercolor Society 2016
• The Carol Ann Sherman Memorial Award – 44rd Florida Watercolor Society Annual Juried Competition 2015
• The BoldBrush Award – September 2015
• Ralph Smith Memorial Award American Watercolor Society 148th Annual International Juried Exhibition at Salmagundi
  Club in New York 2015
• Combined Donors Award I – 95th NWS International Exhibition for the work “Seine Barges” 2015
• Second Place Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society 2015
• CFWS Award and Award from the Blick Art Materials of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami – 43rd Florida Watercolor Society Annual Juried Competition 2014.
• Blick Art Material Award – Pennsylvania Watercolor Societies 35th Juried Exhibition at the State Museum of Pennsylvania 2014.
• Poster Artist and Award of Excellence – Canaveral Seashore Plein Air Paint Out! 2014
• Demo Artist – Florida Watercolor Society Convention 2014