In this class we are going to loosen up one of the most common habits watercolor artists develop: reaching for a pencil before painting.

Instead of sketching first, you will learn how to place loose watercolor flowers directly with your brush. This approach builds confidence, encourages natural movement, and helps create the expressive floral style many artists are trying to achieve.

This is a short, focused watercolor class designed for beginners and anyone who wants to break out of tight, controlled painting habits. By the end of the lesson you will create a small floral study with three flowers facing different directions, all painted without sketching first.

The entire class takes about 20 minutes and focuses on brush movement, placement decisions, and letting go of control.

What You Will Learn

• Why skipping the pencil can improve your watercolor flow
• How to use your whole arm and wrist to create natural shapes
• Simple circle exercises that loosen up your brush control
• How to build quick flower shapes with single confident strokes
• How to place flowers in different directions without planning every detail

How This Class Moves You Forward

Earlier classes in this series explored flower shapes and color mixing. In this lesson we remove the safety net of sketching so you can begin trusting your brush.

This skill will make future floral compositions feel lighter, more expressive, and less rigid.

In the next class we will push this even further with a larger brush challenge that encourages even more movement and freedom in your painting.

Who This Class Is For

This class is perfect for:

• Beginner watercolor painters
• Artists who feel their paintings look stiff or overworked
• Anyone wanting a looser watercolor style

No drawing skills are required.

Materials

You can use any watercolor supplies you already have.

Suggested materials:

• Watercolor paper
• Watercolor paints
• A squirrel brush or quill brush
• Water container
• Paper towel

Engagement

If you enjoy this class, I invite you to follow me here on Skillshare so you can be notified when new lessons are released.

And if you find the class helpful, leaving a quick review helps other students discover it as well.

Loose Watercolor Flowers: Painting Without Sketching

You may also enjoy exploring these related classes that build on the same loose approach and help you develop more confidence with movement, brush control, and expressive florals.

Loose Watercolor Florals: Painting with a Large Brush
https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/loose-watercolor-florals-painting-with-a-large-brush-series-week-3/415737221

Watercolor Roses: Loose Floral Vase Painting
https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/watercolor-roses-loose-floral-vase-painting-series-week-3/27397797

Each class focuses on a different part of letting go of control and allowing your brush to move more naturally. You can take them in any order or follow them as a gentle progression.

Amber Bradley

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