It is difficult to paint from imagination starting with a blank canvas, it will be way easier if you start with an abstract background. Learn how to make this abstract background with watercolor and paint the poppies and roses with mixed media.

You will need

• Canvas, I used 12 x 12 inches pre-streched canvas
• Krylon workable fixative
• Acrylic paint, I used Pebeo in titanium white and Payne’s grey
• Prismacolor Art Stix in black
• Krylon workable fixative
• Red Sakura Micron marker
• White Oil Sharpie marker
• Watercolor paint, I used Yarka watercolors.
• Fluid Acrylic, I used Liquitex Ink in blue
• An Ink Pen

Painting the abstract background

Watercolor is painted on the canvas mixing the colors wet into wet. Then alcohol is dripped while the wash is still wet so the backgroubd will have a lot of visual texture. When the paint has dried, fix it with Krylon workable fixative spray so you can paint over it without the watercolor paint mixing up with the Acrylic, except if you want that kind of effect.

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.

Yarka St. Petersburg Professional Watercolor Pans Same palette of traditional colors the great masters used a century ago. Liquid-poured means semi-moist pans respond instantly to a wet brush. 24 pans in plastic case. Also individual pans. – Master Set

Outlining shapes and painting the negative space with white Acrylic

You can use a  Prismacolor Art Stix, a graphite pencil or conte pierre noire to outline shapes you see in the abstract background. I am pretty sure charcoal would work too.

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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Prismacolor Art Stix Prismacolor Art Stix are artist-quality woodless colored pencils for every level of expertise. Especially suited for color coverage of large areas, Art Stix offer a bold, smooth laydown of color.

Paint all the negative space, that means everything except the shapes you outlined with white acrylic.

Your painting will look something like this once you are done painting the negative space.

Increasing contrast by painting darker areas in Payne’s grey

You can add light washes of color for a subtle effect, here some Payne’s grey Acrylic paint that has been diluted in water for the vase.

Adding designs with markers and ink

Start adding a bit of complexcity to your design like here stripes added on a stem with an Oil white sharpie 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.

Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers, White, Medium Point Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers are great for touching up wood and metal, personalizing belongings, or adding pizzazz to school projects. Decorate and add accents to a variety of items, even non-porous materials such as glassware and terracotta.

Or dots.

Sakura micron pen are used here to add a pattern on the white background.

You can also add designs with pen and Ink, using either fluid acrylic or ink.

Pen and ink

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.

Speedball Sketching Project Set This calligraphy pen and nib set gives you the tools needed to create beautiful works of art. Ideal for drawing, crosshatching, lithography, and fine details. Includes two plastic pen holders and six nibs.

The finished painting:

Poppies and Roses
Mixed media on canvas,
12 x 12 inches