You know those art days when you just need to go a little wild? This was one of those days. I had no plan – just a feeling. So I grabbed my watercolor journal, pulled out some acrylic paint, and let the brush lead. The result? A bold, blooming flower with messy energy, deep color, and expressive hearts. Let me walk you through the process step-by-step, so you can create your own version!
Start by taping off the edges of your art journal with painter’s tape. Then, apply a coat of white gesso to your page. Let the gesso dry completely before moving on.
Next, we’ll work on the background. I mixed Blue Green Light, Cobalt Turquoise Hue, Titanium White, and a bit of Prussian Blue Hue to create a rich, moody background.
Use a flat brush and just start blending the colors. Then, use a old gift card or hotel room key to swipe and add texture to your paint. Let dry.
Next, I used a circular stamp with black archival ink to create the center of my flower. Then, I used white gesso to freehand paint the flower petals.
Once the gesso was dry, I layered in Primary Magenta and Quin Violet, mixing in a bit of white to create bold contrast and pops of highlight. The flower came alive with saturated color and loose, expressive strokes.
For the center, I’ll use DecoArt Extreme Sheen – 24K Gold. Dry it with a heat tool, concentrating on the flower center a bit to make it bubble a little bit.
This is where it gets fun – outlines, scribbles, little accents that bring it all together. Using a liner brush and Carbon Black, I added sketchy lines around the petals, following the curves and letting my hand move freely. I also use a stencil brush to add some black to the flower center and a liner brush to add some swipes of white to the petals. Use your fan brush to add paint splatter on your flower too.
A chip brush dipped in Prussian Blue Hue added some rough, abstract texture around the edges. As a final touch, I added five tiny Pyrolle Red hearts to the bottom of the page – my signature nod to the heart behind the art. These little marks of intention bring warmth and meaning to the finished piece.
Dry with a heat tool, remove the painter’s tape, and enjoy!
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Supply List:
- 7 X 10 Grumbacher Watercolor Journal
- Painter’s Tape
- Decoart Gesso (White)
- Decoart Media Acrylic Paints: Titanium White, Pyrrole Red, Quin Violet, Blue Green Light, Cobalt Teal Hue, Carbon Black, Primary Magenta, and Prussian Blue Hue
- DecoArt Extreme Sheen – 24K Gold
- Brushes: Tracy Weinzapfel Set 1
- Stamps: Totally Textures
- Ink: Ranger Archival Ink (Black)
- Sealer: Duraclear Satin Varnish
Check out Tracy’s Art Journal Starter Kit!
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