If you’re looking for a relaxing watercolor project that doesn’t require perfection, this loose coneflower watercolor tutorial is the perfect creative escape. With simple pen sketches and a soft background, this art journal page blends color and contrast in a way that feels light, effortless, and fun. Whether you’re brand new to watercolor or just need a reset, this quick project is all about letting go and enjoying the process.

Prep your art journal page by taping off the edges with painter’s tape. Mist your watercolor palette with water to let the colors activate.

Start by sketching three loose coneflowers. Begin with a small half-circle for the flower center, then draw soft, drooping petals downward from the bulb. The shapes don’t need to be perfect – in fact, the more irregular, the better. Add stems beneath each flower. You can allow one or two flowers to go off the page to give a more natural look.

Using a large watercolor brush, pre-wet the background around the flowers, being careful not to wet the petals or centers. This wet-on-wet approach creates a soft blend. Drop in colors from your Currents and Tropicals watercolor sets – blues, greens, yellows, and teals work beautifully here. Let the water carry the color gently across the page. If it becomes too saturated, blot with a dry towel to lift excess paint or water.

Cover your flowers with a towel to protect them from our paint splatter. Dip a fan brush in green and blue watercolor paint and tap it above your page against another brush to add some splatter to your background. Dry with a heat tool.

If you’d like, create a messy, uneven border by dragging your marker off the edge of the paper and back on again. It adds a grounding element without boxing the piece in. I’ll also use a fan brush to splatter my flowers with my leftover black acrylic paint. I’ll also add a few hearts with red acrylic paint. 

Remove the painter’s tape and enjoy your artwork! 

Watch the replay below!

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Supply List:

• 7 X 10 Watercolor Journal
• Painter’s Tape
• Watercolors: Tropicals and Currents
• Pen:  Sharpie
• Brushes:  Dynasty 

Check out Tracy’s Art Journal Starter Kit!

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