Ever had a painting come to life in a way that surprises you? That’s exactly what happened with this dreamy floral piece I’ve lovingly named Galaxy Blooms. With a galaxy-inspired background and deep purple petals edged in gold, this piece feels both grounded and otherworldly. It’s a perfect project if you’re craving intuitive play, bold color, and a little gold.
Prep your art journal page by taping off the edges with painter’s tape. Mist your watercolor palette with water to activate the colors.
To create that rich galaxy background, I wet the entire surface, then dropped in midnight blue, deep violet, and black, letting the colors swirl and bleed into each other naturally. Don’t overwork it – this part is about letting the water do its magic.
To add depth, I sprinkled in a few flecks of gold acrylic paint for stars while the surface was still damp. These splatters gave the background its constellation-like vibe. Dry with a heat tool.
Once the watercolor layer was fully dry, I reached for my black acrylic paint and a liner brush to sketch in floral outlines. I let the lines be loose, even scribbly in places, allowing the florals to feel as if they were blooming right out of the galaxy.
I painted three main flowers, each in different stages of bloom, to create movement across the page.
Next, I used my gold paint to add details and accent lines around the petals. Dry with a heat tool. Then, use an Aquarellable Pencil to add some shading around the flowers.
Once everything was completely dry, I sealed the piece with DuraClear high-gloss varnish for a protective and shiny finish. The gloss makes the watercolor glow and the gold accents truly pop.
Remove the painter’s tape and enjoy your artwork!
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Supply List:
- 7 X 10 Grumbacher Watercolor Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Watercolors: Currents and Classics
- Decoart Media Acrylic Paints
- DecoArt Extreme Sheen – 24K Gold
- Brushes: Tracy Weinzapfel Set 1 and Set 2
- Aquarellable Pencil
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I thought you spray seal it first then apply the duracLear high gloss varnish…because of the water colors… I LOVE the way this came out! Just beautiful. Mixed media is so fun when you do it…and I watch you. Thanks!!!
Yes I suggest that a spray fixative be used before the brush on varnish to avoid activating the watercolors. Decoart And Krylon make good ones. I did spray it first off camera as I had to do it outside in ventilated area. Thank you.
What did you use to seal the watercolor with before adding the varnish?
I use a spray acrylic fixative to seal the watercolors first before a brush on sealer. Decoart and Krylon make good ones.
Thank you!