If you’ve ever felt intimidated by watercolor painting or unsure how to control the flow of color, this easy watercolor flower tutorial is the perfect project for your art journal. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk through how to paint pastel watercolor flowers using the wet-on-wet technique, add whimsical doodles with a Sharpie, and finish it off with dreamy details – no perfection required!
Prep your art journal page by taping off the edges with painter’s tape. Mist your watercolor palette to activate the colors.
To begin, fully wet your page with a large brush or spray bottle. This is called the wet-on-wet watercolor technique, and it’s how we get that signature dreamy, blended look. Wherever you put water is where your paint will flow, so you’re guiding it right from the start.
Start adding watercolor! We used colors like Bumblebee yellow, soft pink, citrus green, bright teal, and even a splash of purple. Don’t overthink it – just drop in color where you feel like it. Let the paints blend naturally and enjoy the loose watercolor flower effect as it begins to take shape. This is the beauty of wet-on-wet painting – you’re letting the water guide your design. If anything feels too out of place, blot it or use a dry brush to redirect it. Dry with a heat tool.
Go back in with your brush and add more color to define your petals. Use the same shades from your first layer to enhance the depth and add dimension to your watercolor flowers. Dry again.
Now it’s time to add outlines and detail lines. Using a black Sharpie or waterproof pen, draw loose, imperfect petals, flower centers, and little scribbles to add personality and fun. Don’t worry about being exact – this is where your creative freedom really shines.
Dab a small stencil brush into a small amount of dark paint (Payne’s Gray or brown works great), then pounce off the extra. Swirl it into the flower centers to create soft, textured middles without needing to dot by hand. I’ll do the same with Extreme Sheen 14k Gold acrylic paint.
To finish your art journal flower page, add a soft teal vignette around the edges with a teal ink pad and a stencil brush. Finally, add gold paint splatters using a fan brush. Tap it against another brush above the page to create splatters. This gives your page a bit of shimmer and movement. Peel off the painter’s tape for that satisfying clean border, and sign your masterpiece!
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Supply List:
- 5.5 X 8.5 Watercolor Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Watercolors: Pastel Dreams
- Acrylic Paint: Decoart Media Paynes Grey & Extreme Sheen 14k Gold
- Pen: Sharpie
- Brushes: Dynast
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