This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through creating a beautiful poinsettia-inspired design. With vibrant colors, unique textures, and simple techniques, you’ll have a festive piece of art that’s perfect for the season.
Start by taping off the edges of your art journal page with painter’s tape to create a clean border. Lightly spray your watercolor palette with water and let it sit for about 30 seconds to activate the colors.
Use a permanent pen to sketch a poinsettia flower. Begin with a cluster of berries in the center, then add the pointed petals and leaves around them.
Paint the leaves with a light green watercolor, blending a darker green up the middle of each one. Use a smaller brush to add red along the edges of the leaves for extra detail. Once you’re done, dry the page with a heat tool.
Using a paintbrush, wet the inner petals of the flower with clean water. Apply red watercolor paint to each petal, allowing the water to naturally blend the color. Add a touch of green to the petals for dimension, then outline the edges with more red, letting the hues flow together.
For the berries, use a golden yellow watercolor as a base, then add small dots of black, allowing the colors to softly merge.
Wet the background with water, then layer in rich teal and blue shades. To create a textured splatter effect, dip a fan brush in rubbing alcohol and gently tap it against another brush, letting the droplets fall onto the page. Dry with a heat tool.
Using a liner brush and black acrylic paint, carefully outline the flower petals and leaves for definition. Add detail lines to each petal and leaf, and outline the berries for added contrast. Then, with white acrylic paint, add subtle highlight lines to the berries for a touch of dimension.
Finish by using a stencil brush to apply dark blue acrylic paint around the edges of your art journal page, creating a frame. For extra depth, use an Aquarellable pencil to enhance the shading on the flower and berries. Remove the painter’s tape, let your artwork dry, and admire your beautiful creation!
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Supply List:
- 7 X 10 Watercolor Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Watercolors: Prima Classics & Currents
- Pencil: Aquarellable Pencil
- Acrylic Paint: Decoart Media Titanium White
- Brushes: Dynasty
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