This art journal page is all about contrast, color, and keeping things simple. Instead of filling the whole page with one background, this project divides the composition into two colorful sides (cool greens and blues on one side, warm yellows, oranges, and reds on the other) while keeping the leaves bright white. Black linework, metallic gold, tiny red hearts, and a little splatter bring everything together.
It’s a fun way to experiment with watercolor without needing a complicated drawing, and it’s also a great reminder that sometimes the simplest shapes can make the biggest impact.
Begin by taping around the edges of your watercolor journal page with painter’s tape. Press the tape down firmly so the watercolor does not seep underneath. This will give you that crisp white border at the end.
Use a black pen to draw a long branch diagonally through the page. Then begin adding simple pointed leaves along the stem. Keep the leaves large enough to stand out against the colorful background.
Mist your watercolor paint palette with water to activate the colors. Using a large round brush, begin adding green and teal watercolor to one side of the page. Keep the color rich and saturated. Drop in a little blue in a few areas for extra depth. Let the colors blend naturally, but do not worry about making the transitions perfectly smooth. If you get too much water in one spot, dry off your brush and use it to soak up the excess. Dry with a heat tool.
On the opposite side, begin layering yellow, orange, and red watercolor. Let the colors flow into one another and create soft gradients. You can also bring in a hint of brown if you want a more earthy fall feel. Leave a little breathing room near the center so the colors do not completely mix together. Dry again.
The finished background should feel almost tie-dyed, with bold cool colors on one side and glowing warm colors on the other.
Outline your leaves and stem to make it bolder. The Pentel brush pen works especially well here because pressing harder creates thicker lines and easing up creates thinner marks.
Do not paint inside the leaves. The white paper becomes the color of the leaves, which creates strong contrast against the vibrant watercolor background.
Use a black permanent pen or Micron to draw simple veins inside each leaf. Start with one center line, then add diagonal lines outward toward the edges. Keep the marks loose and consistent rather than overly detailed.
Use 24K Gold Extreme Sheen acrylic paint and a liner brush to add metallic accents around the leaf edges and stem. You can trace selected sections rather than outlining everything perfectly. The gold adds warmth and helps connect the cool and warm sides of the background.
Using Pyrrole Red acrylic paint and a liner brush, add a few tiny hearts near the branch. These little details are subtle, but they give the page personality and make it feel uniquely yours.
Load a fan brush with metallic gold paint and lightly splatter it across the page. Do not worry if some lands on the white leaves. A few flecks actually help tie everything together. Keep the splatter light so the white leaf shapes remain the main focus.
Before sealing, make sure all watercolor and acrylic paint is fully dry. Apply a thin layer of Dorland’s Wax Medium over the finished artwork. Gently rub it across the surface with a soft cloth or paper towel. This protects the watercolor and gives the page a soft finished feel without reactivating the paint.
Slowly peel away the painter’s tape. Pull it back at an angle to reveal the crisp white border around the page. That clean edge instantly makes the piece feel finished.
This project is a great example of how powerful contrast can be. The cool blue-green side and warm red-orange side create movement, while the white leaves give the eye a place to rest. Black linework keeps the composition grounded, and the gold accents add just enough shimmer without overpowering the watercolor. It’s simple, graphic, colorful, and easy to make your own!
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Supply List:
- Grumbacher 7 X 10 Watercolor Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Sealer: Dorland’s Wax
- Watercolors: Classics
- Paint: Extreme Sheen 24K Gold and Pyrrole Red
- Pentel Brush Pen
- Sharpie Twin Tip Black
- Brushes – Tracy Weinzapfel Brush Set 2
- Dynasty Stencil Brush
- Dynasty Micron Detail Brush
- Micron Small Detail Round Brush
- Micron Fine Liner Brush
- Foam Detailer
Check out Tracy’s Art Journal Starter Kit!
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