Some nights, you just need to paint something that soothes your soul and that’s exactly what this project was. Using my favorite fall-inspired palette (Decadent Pies), I created a loose watercolor floral piece on handmade cotton paper, topped with bold black outlines, metallic shimmer, and just a little love in the form of tiny red hearts.
Prepare you art journal page by taping off the edges with painter’s tape. Mist your watercolor palette with water to activate the colors.
I knew I wanted bold fall florals, so that’s why I went for the Decadent Pies palette – a rich set with warm reds, deep purples, creamy greens, and plenty of sparkle. I selected Blackberry, Peach Cobbler, and Pistachio Cream as my main players, adding in Key Lime and Apple for background and leaves.
Using the wet-on-dry technique (dry paper, wet brush), I began sketching flower shapes directly with color.
Once the flowers were blocked in, I filled the surrounding space with the Key Lime green. I let some white space remain in the petals for light and contrast. Dry with a heat tool.
Next, I worked on adding the details. I used a bit of Carbon Black acrylic paint with a liner brush to loosely outline each flower. Scribbles, flicks, and sketchy loops gave the piece movement and energy. I added in stems, leaves, and interior petal marks while still letting the watercolors shine underneath.
To build texture in the flower centers, I dipped a stencil brush into the black acrylic and lightly pounced it into the middle of each bloom too.
It wouldn’t be fall florals without a little shimmer! I tapped Extreme Sheen 24K gold into the flower centers with a small brush. This added sparkle and warmth, catching the light just right. I also added darker green in the negative space in the background to make the leaves pop. Dry with a heat tool.
Finally, use a fan brush to splatter Carbon Black and Extreme Sheen 24K gold paint across the page by tapping it against another brush right above your artwork. To finish the piece, I added three tiny Pyrolle Red hearts, tucked between the blooms. It’s a personal touch I include in all my originals, and this one was no exception.
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Supply List:
- 5.5 X 8.5 Indigo Watercolor Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Decoart Media Acrylic Paints: Carbon Black
- Watercolors: Decadent Pies
- DecoArt Extreme Sheen – 24K Gold
- Brushes: Tracy Weinzapfel Set 1 and Set 2
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