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.
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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.
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 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.
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.
Originally from France, I have been living in North Vancouver, Canada for the past 20 years.
My work has been collected and exhibited extensively in Canada and internationally. I am also part of the Art Rentals and sales program of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Many of my paintings have been published in Art books and magazines (Artist Magazine, Watercolor Artist Magazine, Acrylic Magazine, International Artist Magazine). I wrote 2 art instruction books with North Light/F+W Books.
I have been writing for the last 5 years for my blog: paintingdemos.com, that has a mailing list of about 10 000 subscribers and about 20 000 visitors per month.
I am an active member in the community, as a co-founder of the North Shore Art crawl, a co-founder of a weekly life drawing group, a board member of the North Vancouver Arts Council, and have been invited as a juror for public art, art grants and juried exhibitions. You can read more about my collaborations here.
Thanks for posting these demos. They are an inspiration to get back into my studio after time away. I hope you will email me so I can follow you. I found you on Pinterest but I’m not sue I can get back to your site again.
Comments (3)
Carol Bouville
Thanks for posting these demos. They are an inspiration to get back into my studio after time away. I hope you will email me so I can follow you. I found you on Pinterest but I’m not sue I can get back to your site again.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Carol, I am happy to hear you liked the demos. I saw you signed up for my newsletter, so we will keep in touch 🙂
arebelred95063400
Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful Work