It is fun to integrate zentangles in a watercolor painting. See how I did it on this watercolor portrait of my daughter with a step by step painting tutorial.

This is my own version of zentangles as zentangles are usually done in black but I wanted a softer color in the background so the patterns  would blend in more.

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Start by painting the watercolor portrait

This is my painting palette: Daniel Smith French Ochre, Da Vinci Cadmium Yellow and Sap Green, Holbein Horizon Blue, Ultramarine Blue,Permanent Red, Permanent Alizarin Crimson

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Da Vinci Artists’ Permanent Watercolors, 292 Yellow Ochre, 15 ml Da Vinci paints are exciting, intense, and rated among the best in the world for quality. The paints are permanent, with the highest tinting strength and pigment concentration available, and a creamy consistency for smooth, easy dispersion with water.

I mix a bit of paint with water in each of the palette wells of a porcelain flower palette, then mix each color so its ready when I will need them.

I am drawing a rough outline of the shapes on my paper, that has been previously stretched.

You might also ne interested in: How to stretch watercolor paper on the Craftsy website

I just have a few areas to preserve with masking fluid. Masking fluid is very convenient when working with watercolors as it allows you to preserve the white of the paper in areas that would be too tricky or inconvenient to paint around, like the white of the eyes on the portrait.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

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Daler-Rowney Masking Fluid This fluid is used to create striking white highlights or to mask areas for overpainting at a later stage. It forms a fast-drying, water-resistant film on watercolor paper and board, and is easily removed when dry.

The white of the eyes have been preserved with masking fluid.

And the bird legs so I can paint the hood more easily.

I start by painting the sky with a light flat wash of horizon Blue paint.

I will paint the portrait by layering colors, I am starting with Cadmium Yellow

Then a layer of red watercolor.

You might also like : Layering watercolors for portraits

I am also starting to paint the lighter green areas in the background.

I paint the last blue layer on the portrait and finish a rough painting of the trees in the background.

Then I paint the bird a bright red and will start by covering it in zentangles using a 0.5 black marker.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Pigma Micron pens are acid-free and archival, making them ideal for any application requiring precision and permanance. Pigma ink is derived from a single pigment to ensure color consistency, and is fadeproof against sunlight or UV light. – Set of 6, Black

Here is the zentangled bird, I also added a few drips.

I am also zentangling the background, this time with a thicker grey marker.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Copic Original Markers There’s nothing like the Copic double-ended marker for expert blending, painting, and tone control. Use them for fine art projects, calligraphy, and more. The broad nib offers coverage for larger areas. For detailed work, flip over to the fine nib.

I am using a few different patterns

Zentangle patterns

I also want to leave some areas with just the paint and not zentangle on the whole painting.

A little Birdie told me,
Watercolor and mixed media on paper,
26 x 21 inches
Original sold