Botanical Watercolor Painting for Beginners
In today’s post, I wanted to discuss one of my favorite art forms: botanical watercolors. There’s something magical about capturing the delicate beauty of nature on paper, isn’t there? The vibrant hues, intricate details, and organic shapes all combine to create a stunning pieces of art that can brighten up any space.
If you’re new to watercolors, don’t worry! It’s a beautiful medium to work with, and you don’t need to be a master artist to create beautiful botanical watercolors. All you need is a few basic supplies, some inspiration, and a willingness to explore, experiment, and learn.
Tips for Botanical Watercolor Painting for Beginners
To get started, here are some tips for botanical watercolor painting for beginners:
Gather inspiration
Start by looking at photos of flowers and plants, either online, in books, or in real-life references. I personally love gathering florals from the garden or from nature walks because you’re able to examine them, move them around and create the angle you’d like to paint. Notice the colors, shapes, textures, and details of each. You can also take your own photos from your garden or a nearby park.
Choose your supplies
You’ll need watercolor paper, watercolor paints, brushes, and a glass of water to clean your brushes with. Don’t worry about getting the most expensive materials - you can create beautiful art with even the most basic supplies.
Sketch your design
Start by lightly sketching your design onto your watercolor paper using a pencil. You can use a reference photo as a guide, or create your own composition. If you’d like to strengthen your sketching skills, this Sketching for Watercolor Made Simple class or these Trace and Paint books are a wonderful resource to sharpen your skills!
Start painting
Begin to add the lightest colors first (you can do this by adding more water to your brush), and gradually work your way to the darkest to add details. Use a variety of brush strokes and techniques to create texture and depth in your piece. If you’re still not sure where to start and are looking for guidance to create beautiful watercolor paintings, this Watercolors Made Simple Class is made just for you where you’ll learn a basic understanding of techniques and learn to paint a variety of different pieces: including botanicals!
Don’t be afraid to experiment
Watercolors are a forgiving medium, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Play around with different color combinations and techniques until you find what works best for you.
Remember, creating botanical watercolors is all about enjoying the process and letting your creativity flow. Don’t worry about creating a perfect composition or masterpiece - focus on having fun and expressing yourself through your art!
And most importantly, don’t give up! Like any skill, creating botanical watercolors takes practice and patience. Keep experimenting and learning, and before you know it you’ll be creating stunning pieces of art that you originally never thought possible.
So grab your supplies and let’s get painting! I can’t wait to see what beautiful botanical watercolors you create. Happy painting!
