Sometimes you just need to keep it simple – no complicated layouts, no overthinking, just a little time, a few supplies, and a whole lot of color. That’s exactly what this project is about. In this art journal page, I used just five basic supplies to make this watercolor garden art journal page. 

Tape off the edges of your art journal page with painter’s tape. Have your Tropical watercolor set ready and give the paints a 30-second water soak so they’re activated and ready to flow. Use your clean, wet paintbrush to add water to your entire page so we can work wet-on-wet with our paints.

With a size 8 round brush, start by painting two flower center shapes right onto your page with yellow, along with a few drops of brown. Don’t overthink them – they can be imperfect and wobbly. Let the watercolor do its thing and bleed a bit.

From there, add some flower petals around the centers. Let the petals be soft and abstract. Add more petals coming out of the corner and some bright green in the background. I’ll also drop in some other colors into the background, like a darker green. Dry with a heat tool.

Using a permanent black pen, start doodling over your shapes:

• Little circles
• Loose scribbles
• Petal outlines
• Figure-eight loops

Don’t worry about being precise – think sketchy and playful. You can outline just some petals and let others fade into the background for a looser feel. I’ll also sketch in some leaves into the background.

Use a darker green in your watercolor set to fill in the negative space in the background. Dry with a heat tool.

If you want more contrast or highlights, use a thicker Sharpie to add bolder lines, or grab a white Posca paint pen or a liner brush with white acrylic paint and add small details to your flowers.

Finally, use a fan brush dipped in watered-down white acrylic paint and tap it above the page to create a splatter effect. 

Once everything is dry, carefully remove your painter’s tape to reveal a clean border. Step back and admire your simple, colorful, joy-filled page.

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Supply List:

• 5.5 X 8.5 Mixed Media Journal
• Painter’s Tape
• Watercolor set (I used the Tropical Set)
• Paintbrush (size 8 round)
• Permanent black pen (Sharpie or similar)

Check out Tracy’s Art Journal Starter Kit!

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