Easy Watercolor Rose For Beginners- One Layer Technique

1. Introduction: Hello everyone. I'm Bianca Rayala. I'm a watercolor artist. I usually fell in love with watercolors, and painting flowers is one of my favorites. In this course, you'll learn how to paint this beautiful red rose using one layer technique. This is a complete class where we'll learn how to easily sketch your rose by understanding its shape, we'll create different color mixtures using a limited palette, and we'll understand how to add volume and texture on your painting. We'll tackle different techniques and principles which you can definitely apply in all your watercolor paintings. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced watercolorist, as long as you love flowers and have great interest in learning watercolor techniques, this class is perfect for you. Let's discover more of this liberating medium together I'll see you in class. 2. Materials: Before we start painting, let's first prepare the complete list of materials that we'll be needing for our project. I'll be using this watercolor paper, 100 percent cotton, 300 GSM from BaoHong. I'll be painting on an 8 by 10-inch paper in portrait format. Next is watercolor. The colors I'll be using are alizarin crimson, opera pink, amethyst genuine, [MUSIC] brown pink, burnt sienna, indigo, and gray. For the brushes, I will use two round brushes from Silver Brush. First is black velvet, this is size eight for painting the rose. Second is the golden natural, in size 6 for painting the stem and the leaves. We will also be needing some tissue paper, two cups of water, a mixing palette, a pencil, and eraser. 3. Color Mixing: [MUSIC] For this class, we will be painting this rose stem using Alla prima technique. Meaning this is here will paint it in one layer. Let's start with knowing the color mixtures that we need to build these rose. The first color is the lightest color of the rose, which is this front-facing petal. We mix Opera pink and Alizarin crimson and dilute it with lots of water [MUSIC] Our first color, Opera pink plus Alizarin crimson. [MUSIC] Next we create a mixture for this bright red portion of the petal, we use Opera pink, Alizarin crimson, and a little bit of Amethyst genuine. You can also use Dioxazine purple if ever you don't have an Amethyst genuine [MUSIC] This mixture is a bit creamy as compared to our first mixture [MUSIC] This is Opera pink, Alizarin crimson, and Amethyst genuine [MUSIC] The third color is for the dark shadows on the petals, we mix Alizarin crimson and Amethysts genuine [MUSIC] Now we mix colors for the stem and leaves. For the stem, we use brown pink, burnt sienna, and indigo [MUSIC] Brown pink plus burnt sienna plus indigo [MUSIC] If you don't have a brown pink, you can use olive green as a replacement [MUSIC] Next the color for the dark leaves, we will use brown pink, and indigo [MUSIC] Brown pink and a little bit of indigo. Lastly, for the light part of the leaves, we mix brown pink, gray, and a little bit of indigo [MUSIC] These are our color mixtures [MUSIC] 4. Pencil Sketch: [MUSIC] To give you an overview of what we will be doing, I will be doing a demo on how to paint this red rose using a one layer technique. I will start with a pencil sketch, then paint the rose add the shadows, and paint the stem and leaves. I start painting from top to bottom. First let's locate on the paper where we want to place the flower. I decided to place it in the middle, and a little blank space here on top. When I sketch, I do the outline of the flower first instead of immediately drawing detail by detail. When you're content with the outline, now is the time to draw the details of the flower. [MUSIC] For demo purposes, I intentionally darken my sketch so you could clearly see my drawing. However, before I start painting, I will lighten my strokes by erasing them lightly. I suggest that you sketch lightly instead. After the rose, I draw this delicate tiny leaves and then the stem. The exact shape isn't really important as we will be using the brush to create the shape of the stem and the leaves. We just sketch basically for our guide in creating the strokes later on. [MUSIC] Here, let's just do a rough sketch for the stem, and then draw the leaves based on what we see on the reference photo. I decide to make the leaves a little bit bigger than the ones in the reference photo for additional interest in the composition. [MUSIC] It is also good to not be limited by what you see in the reference and still incorporate your own creativity or imagination. [MUSIC] Finalize your drawing and erase unnecessary marks before proceeding to the next video. [MUSIC] This is our pencil sketch. [MUSIC] 5. Painting the Rose: I'll be painting this rose using these two brushes. Let's start painting the front-facing petal by mixing opera and alizarin. This is the main petal. I create this watery mixture for that petal. I paint over the first petal completely, and I avoid that portion of the leaf. I'm using my black velvet watercolor brush from Silver Brush. This is size 8. Then while it is still wet or moist, I add a darker and creamier mixture of alizarin on the side of the petal that has darker tonal value. Refer to the reference photo so you can see the tonal value of the petal. I will leave the center area light, so I slightly lift color. This is also a way to show dimension on the petal. I slightly lift color on this middle area so that we create volume on the petal. For the darker tone of the petal, I use opera pink, alizarin crimson, and amethyst genuine. I paint it near the edge of the petal. Always refer to your reference photo and follow the tonal value of the petal as you paint it. Without the correct tonal value, the flower or the painting would look flat. In this step, I'm building the dimension of this particular petal by setting up the tonal value. Those petals near the edge are a bit darker, the center part is light, as observed on the reference photo. Using my golden natural brush, I lightly lift again some colors and also blend these light tones with these dark tones. In this way, the transition between the dark and light tones would be smooth and natural. Then I paint the shadow portions on the upper part of the petal using alizarin and amethyst. The layer shouldn't be too wet so you can easily control the flow of pigment. I also blend in the colors using a clean brush. When I paint the shadowed portion, I use a creamy mix of paint and remove excess water from my brush using a tissue paper. We wait for this petal to get dry, then we move on to the next petal. We will use the same base wash of watery mixture of opera and alizarin. I paint this petal on the left using this watery mixture, and I made sure that the first petal is dry so the two colors would not mix up. Then I mix alizarin and amethyst and opera to create a darker base of the petal. Again, just refer to the reference photo as it will serve as your guide in placing colors. This small portion of petal on the left, I paint it with a creamy mix of alizarin crimson and amethyst. My layer easily dries up because I only put an enough amount of water on my brush and my mixture is not too wet. Next, we'll let this petal dry and then we proceed with the next petal. I blend in colors using my black velvet brush. Then when we proceed to this upper petal, I still use the same base mixture. I show the fold of the petal by adding this dark brown stroke on the side. Make sure that your brush has no excess water on it so Some the flow of pigment is controlled and not too watery. On this exercise, we learn to understand the right timing on applying paint on a wet surface. We learn the characteristics of our own brush, which is very important in watercolor painting. Brushes have different characteristics when it comes to holding water and pigment, that is why it is very important to know and understand your brush. When your base color for the rose is done, we create a butter mix of alizarin crimson and amethyst to enhance the dark shadows and the folds of the petal using a dry brush stroke. This time, I will use my golden natural brush since it is made up of synthetic and natural hair and it is easy to create dry brush strokes using this brush. In order to create a dry brush stroke, the mixture should be creamy and thick. It's good also that you practice before applying it. Once you do this step, do this slowly and with light pressure. Using these watery strokes, we create the finish on our rose. You will also see me using a clean brush to soften the edges a little bit like this one to connect the colors and to avoid making the painting look like an illustration. You can also use your finger to dap the paint to connect the colors. Here I pre-rep this portion of the petal lightly to add the slight folds and dark tones of the petal. Pre-rep this area light if needed. Then once it's moist, you can add the dark tones or dark strokes to show the folds of the petal. Don't forget also to paint the shadow of the leaf pested on the front petal. I will use the same dark red mix that we did with a little bit of brown paint to paint this shadow. 6. Enhancing the Rose: On this step, we will enhance the tonal values of the rose by adding some highlights. I usually add those highlights on dark spots for added [inaudible]. If you notice, I also use this golden natural hair since it absorbs less amount of water as compared with black velvet. I also do this on the base part of the rose and I also use my finger to soften the dark marks. This step is necessary since watercolor tend to fade out in color when it dries up. Sometimes, there is a need to adjust the tonal value, the darkness or lightness of colors after the layer dries up. When you're good, we can now move on to painting the stem and leaves. 7. Painting The Leaves and Stem : For the leaves, I mix brown pink, burnt sienna, and a bit of indigo. I will use a milky mixture of paint for the base color. Then later on, add brown pink and indigo for the dark spots of the leaf. I remove excess water from my brush, so I won't have a pool of water on my paper. I also remove excess water to create thin crisp lines for these delicate leaves. Now, I drop a darker color of green while this layer is still wet. I remove excess water from my brush using a clean tissue paper so that it will be easy to create these thin crisp lines for the tip of the leaves. I use the same mix for all these delicate leaves around the rose. Observe your reference photo so you can add dark tones, especially on shadowed areas, and light tones on lighted areas. Now, we can see our rose slowly coming into life. Make your strokes light, and just enjoy the process. As the more you enjoy the process, the more relaxed you get, the more beautiful your work will be. For the stem, I mix brown pink, burnt sienna, and indigo. I suggest that you create a mix good enough to paint the entire stem. I will be painting the stem with a dry brush stroke, so I need to remove excess water from my brush. The mixture should also be creamy instead of watery. You can practice on a separate sheet of paper doing the dry brush stroke before painting on your output. I start from the top, and drag my brush gently going down. You know you did the dry brush stroke correctly, if you see white dots on your stroke like what I have in my stem. Now, I will be darkening some spots to show shadow on some parts of the stem. Don't forget also to put the dark shadow under the rose. You can also dab your painting using your finger to blend the pigments together. This is our stem. Next, we will paint the leaves. I start by painting thin lines to create these tiny stems. Again, remove the excess water from your brush. You need [inaudible] strokes for a natural look. I use the same mixture for the leaves, and I will be painting them using the belly of my brush. If your mixture seems too dry, just add a little bit of water so the paint would flow a little bit. I make this other side a little bit darker by adding indigo on my mixture. Before the paint gets dry, I will scratch the portion of the leaf to show an impression of veins on leaves. This step will be impossible if the leaf has totally dried up. It's important to figure out the right timing on scratching your paper. For the next leaf, we do the same process. We paint the leaf using the belly of our brush. For the light part of the petals, just add gray on the mixture to create a muted green color. I make the edges rough and rugged for a natural look of those leaves. Then, later on, I will also scratch again to show the veins on the leaves. Now we move on to the third leaf. As we paint, it's important to refer to your reference photo for the tone of the objects you're painting. This will help you avoid making the painting look flat. Also, by getting to know your brush you'll be able to discover the different ways to create strokes using the belly and the tip of your brush. You can also create different strokes depending on the way you hold your brush whether it's closer or away from the ferrule. It's really about practicing very often. Now I add some thorns on the stems for texture. The painting is almost done, but I feel the need to add another leaf here on the lower right to complete the composition. Notice also that I varied the sizes of my leaves so they won't look unnatural or uniform. I just add some final touches and highlights on the stems and petals, and we are done. This is our final painting. 8. Points To Remember: Thank you so much for joining me on this rose watercolor painting using alla prima technique. Now you know how to paint a flower in one layer. To summarize the important points that I want you to remember before doing your own class project, always keep in mind that the most important thing to consider is the tonal value. Tonal value gives dimension and depth to your painting. Even if you don't have the same colors that I used or if you will try painting your rose with a different color, you can still do it correctly as long as you have the right tonal value in your painting. Second, get to know your brushes very well. I know most of you are like me; I love collecting brushes. But the more you use a particular brush, the more you'll understand its characteristics and how to use and maximize them on your paintings. Lastly, but the most important for me, always, always paint to inspire and paint from the heart. Enjoy the process of learning and don't give up when you don't make it on your first try. Keep on trying and practicing. Feel free to send me a message on Instagram if you have questions and I'd be happy to help you. I have provided on the resource section the reference photo and the final painting for your guide. I hope you enjoyed learning painting flower using one layer technique with me, and if you wish to learn how to paint flowers in multiple layers, join me on my watercolors, sunflowers class here also at Skillshare. We'll study how to paint sunflowers using wet-on-wet technique in multiple layers.