Hey everyone! Today, I wanted to take you through another watercolor abstract painting, but this time with a focus on creating texture. If you’re up for it, let’s paint this together!
I’m starting with a watered-down mixture of red and brown to create a warm, earthy base for the painting. I am using Artist’s Loft cellulose paper for this painting because it’s inexpensive and I’ve been enjoying the interesting textures that happen as the paint dries.
Next, I add some pops of yellow ochre and brighter red in random areas. I tend to gravitate towards building up layers based on the natural flow of the paint. Sometimes, I’ll go over areas with a brighter color to add contrast and texture.
While the paint is still damp, I use a baby wipe to create a cool marble texture. Then, I use a brush to drag dark paint along some of the natural lines on the paper, softening the watercolor edges and adding a pop of rich red.
To create some balance, I bring in some yellow ochre with my left hand (because embracing the mess is part of the fun!). This helps the composition develop organically based on where the water has settled. I love how the yellow ochre mixes with the red, creating a beautiful warm color combination.
Once everything dries a bit, I add some cool contrast with a greenish-blue mixture made from Prussian Blue and lemon yellow. I use this cool color to paint some saturated leaves on top, letting the background guide their placement.
I like to have the leaves branch out organically and flow throughout the painting, adding some dynamic movement. I also threw in a couple of smaller details with a darker color to make them stand out.
To add another layer of texture, I use some dots and tiny circles of the blue-green color, sometimes clustering them together before scattering them out. This creates a subtle, organic feel on the page.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with adding more layers to my artwork. Here, I decided to incorporate some gold paint from the same palette. I love how it adds a touch of richness and reflects beautifully in the light. I strategically placed the gold accents to avoid overwhelming the painting.
Finally, for some extra contrast and texture, I used a white Gelly Roll to create some loose, sketchy doodles on top of the leaves. It’s a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Gelly Roll because it doesn’t always make clean lines on a watercolor paper background, but I’ve come to embrace the imperfect, broken line look.
And there you have it! Peeling off the tape is always the most satisfying part. I hope you enjoyed creating this textured abstract watercolor piece with me. Remember, experimenting with different techniques is a great way to learn and discover your artistic style. Until next time, happy creating!