About British Contemporary artist
Lisa Srao
Telling Stories Through Nature
Lisa Srao is an award-winning British contemporary artist based in Yorkshire, creating large-scale, hyper-realistic oil paintings inspired by flowers, wildlife and the natural world.
Known for her rich colour, intricate detail and dramatic compositions, Lisa’s work goes beyond decoration. Each painting tells a story through nature, exploring themes of resilience, hope, transformation and the beauty found in imperfection.
Flowers often appear at different stages of life, with curling petals, weathered edges and uneven forms. For Lisa, these details are not flaws, but reminders that beauty can be found in change, experience and becoming. Wildlife is used symbolically, bringing emotion, personality and meaning into each composition.
Lisa began painting in oils at the age of sixteen and achieved A grades in both GCSE and A Level Art and Design. Before becoming a full-time artist, she spent more than twenty years working internationally in marketing, brand development and the creative industries. This experience continues to influence the strong visual identity and storytelling within her work.
Working from her Yorkshire studio, often with her dog Rocco nearby, Lisa creates paintings slowly through layers of oil paint, refined detail and luminous colour. Her work is designed to create a powerful presence within a space while offering the viewer a moment of stillness, emotion and escape.
Lisa’s paintings have been exhibited in the UK and recognised through international art awards. Her work is collected for private homes, luxury interiors and contemporary spaces.
Lisa Srao is represented by award winning Oil Art Advisory Gallery based in Knutsford Cheshire. View her full artist biography and available works here.
My Oil Painting Techniques
Lisa Srao creates large-scale, hyper-realistic oil paintings
using a detailed, layered process that allows colour, light and
texture to develop gradually across the canvas.
Each painting begins with careful observation and composition.
Lisa studies the natural forms, colours and character of flowers
and wildlife before building the image through an initial
painted foundation. Thin layers of oil paint establish the main
shapes, shadows and tonal balance, creating depth before
the finer details are introduced.
Further layers are applied slowly, allowing Lisa to refine subtle
changes in colour, movement and light. Transparent oil glazes
add richness and luminosity, while delicate brushwork captures
the folds of a petal, the softness of feathers and the individual
character of each natural subject.
Lisa does not aim to create a flawless or idealised version of
nature. Curling petals, weathered edges and irregular forms
are intentionally preserved, reflecting her belief that beauty is
often found in imperfection and change.
The final stages focus on highlights, contrast and intricate
detail, bringing the composition to life while maintaining a
sense of atmosphere and emotion. This time-intensive oil
painting technique gives each artwork its depth, vibrancy
and striking presence.
Working from her Yorkshire studio, Lisa combines traditional
oil painting methods with contemporary compositions to
create distinctive floral and wildlife paintings.
Earlier Acrylic, Ink & Mixed Media Process
Alongside my current oil-painting practice, some earlier works combine acrylic paint, acrylic ink, alcohol ink and texture paste to create layered landscapes and expressive nature-inspired compositions. This builds mood, movement, and surface complexity. These materials allow me to develop intuitive mark-making while maintaining a strong physical relationship with the painting.
I often work through a layered, time-based process. The canvas is first prepared with gesso, followed by the application of texture paste to create relief and structure. This base layer is left to dry overnight. On the following day, I introduce acrylic and alcohol inks, allowing them to flow organically across the textured surface. These layers are again left to dry, allowing the marks and movements to settle naturally.
Once the groundwork has fully developed, I return to the painting to respond to what has emerged — working into the surface with acrylic paint to define landscapes, atmospheres, and abstracted scenes. While this is a slower, more deliberate process, the extended drying times and natural flow of the materials allow the work to evolve intuitively. The result is a richly layered surface where texture, mood, and movement are inseparable.
Framing
Most paintings are shipped without frames. However, where shown, paintings are priced to include framing using high-quality materials, selected only where they enhance the artwork. Alternative framing options can be discussed to suit individual preferences and settings.
I also offer works on deep-edge, professionally stretched canvases, suitable for hanging unframed. Canvas edges are typically left white, with optional finishes available.
Glass is not generally recommended for oil paintings.