Create a bold, eye-catching floral painting using bright orange watercolor flowers against a rich teal background. This project combines loose sketching, watercolor layering, expressive ink work, and dimensional details to create a striking mixed media piece. This is a perfect project when you want something colorful, energizing, and just plain fun!
Begin by taping the edge of your art journal page with painter’s tape. Press firmly along the inside edges to prevent paint from seeping underneath. Mist your watercolor palette with water to activate the paint.
Using an ultra-fine Sharpie, loosely sketch three large flowers across your page.
Don’t overthink the shapes – keep your lines organic and slightly imperfect. Draw large, open petals and round centers. Add a few interior lines in the petals to suggest texture and movement.
Using a round watercolor brush, begin filling in your flowers with orange watercolor. Let the paint flow naturally. Add water to soften edges and allow the pigment to move. Add yellow to the flower centers.
Next, apply Mermaid Lagoon Distress Oxide ink around the background using a stencil brush. Work around the flowers carefully, filling in the negative space with teal.
Because Distress Oxide is water-reactive, lightly add water and blend with your brush to soften transitions. Continue layering until the background feels rich and dimensional.
To add depth, go back into the Distress Oxide ink and build darker areas around the edges and between flowers. You can also use a circle stencil to add a subtle pattern and layering behind the flowers.
Using a Pentel brush pen or your Sharpie, go back over your original flower outlines.
Vary your line thickness by applying more pressure for thicker strokes and lighter pressure for fine lines. Add extra line details inside the petals to enhance texture and give the flowers a more expressive look.
Using a liner brush and black acrylic paint, reinforce select lines around the petals and flower centers.
Using Copic Opaque White ink, add small dots and highlights in the center of each flower. Apply lightly at first, then build up as needed.
Use an archival black ink pad to gently darken the edges of the page, creating a soft vignette.
Blend lightly around the border to frame the artwork.
Apply a thin layer of Dorland’s Wax over the entire piece. Buff gently with a soft cloth. This step seals the artwork and creates a smooth, slightly velvety finish while protecting all the mixed media layers.
Note: Once wax is applied, you cannot add additional paint on top. Carefully remove the painter’s tape to reveal clean edges!
This bold orange and teal combination creates a striking, high-contrast floral painting that feels both energetic and modern.
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Supply List:
- Fabriano or Grumbacher 7 X 10 Watercolor Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Watercolors: Tropicals
- Ink: Distress Oxides: Mermaid Lagoon and Archival Ink: Mermaid Lagoon and Black
- Stencil: Circle Duo
- Brushes: Tracy Weinzapfel Sets
- Other: Copic White
- Pen: Pentel Brush Pen
- Twin Tip Sharpie
- Liner Brush: Micron 10/0 X Long Liner Brush
Check out Tracy’s Art Journal Starter Kit!
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