Watercolor Botanical Illustrations: Boho Cactus Composition

1. Welcome To The Class : Hello and welcome to this class. My name is hiding in this class about watercolors compositions. We are going to be creating color, botanical composition using cactuses, plants, and leaves. I will go through the whole process from the blank page to the composition. That it is super easy to create this composition. And I will explain to you a step by step how to create harmony into work at. I can wait this into class. And I hope you do get invited to join me. And I will be waiting for the member to come follow me here on Skillshare so we can get dealt and you don't miss any update on your glasses or you can join my previous classes. I will see you in the next video. 2. These are The Supplies You Need: This is a watercolor class. And now we are going to be taking a look at the supplies that we are going to be using during the class. Do you need a clean towel? And as always, took me get righteous. Watercolor paper. Using a watercolor paper that had more texture, is cold press as well. And it's fun to ashes. You can use another type of watercolor paper. Don't hesitate to use whatever you have at hand. We are going to be using different colors of watercolors. I will explain that when we are going to be doing the color chart, white paint or a white marker. Fine liners in black brushes. This time we are going to be using different types of round brushes. I do use a big the biggest one that you have from Jerome brushes and all the different sizes. Am mixing palette to mix our colors. Always had at hand as well washi tapes and whatever do need to have your beautiful creations, I will say during the next video. 3. Creating Your Unique Color Palette: I have a piece of paper, and I will start by playing with all the colors to make the color studies so we know exactly how our colors will look like. And I will start with my Prussian blue and my cobalt turquoise light. With this two-color, I have to pair 1234 pair of colors, and we are going to be working them on our page. I have a big brush, number ten, round brush. And have, I have already put all the colors on my color palette. So we are going to be starting with the Prussian blue, just within the brush in water. And then painting on the paper to see the intensity of this color. My paper is dry. You can see the color is very vibrant because only my brush is wet. You can always manage the intensity of the color. Adding water or taking out the water. Using your brush. Wet will make a big difference in high and how would you call it looks like. And using your brush will make a big difference in how the deepness of the color you are using. Looks like on your paper. We are working on or a color palette or own or color chart this way. So do you have a better idea on how to color looks like? Now, we are using the cobalt turquoise light to make a contrast between these two colors is really fascinating. The mix, the color. Remember to have always circling towered on this side. Water, clean water. And it will help you have a more relaxing and enjoying playing with your colors. To play with the intensity on the pigment you are using. Remember, you can use all the colors you prefer. I just choose this one. Because the painting that we're doing on this class, I think this is the most beautiful combination of colors. But you can work with the colors to light now and some adding some touches with the pigment that Prussian blue to see how my painting reacts. And do note, this is looking very bright now. But when it dries, the color would become a little bit lighter. I am doing the same with the second color study. So I have a better idea when I add applied in the layers during the painting process. While or set of blues, Chase is drying. Let's play with our lineup. And violet, these two quadrotors so beautiful and I am changing my brush because the space on my paper is smaller. And it will be easy for me to do the color status. This way using a smaller brush. You can use any type of rash for its color chart and just play with your shades. And again, starting with a lilac. And as you can see, this color is very beautiful. And Boston in a pastel tone. And we will see when we add more water, how this color really light with make easier to create contrast during the painting that we're going to be doing. During the class. You can see one has more pigment and DO that has less pigment. Now I will start with the violet. This is a more pigmented color. And using the same technique, I want this to be to see how it is dark and with this more diluted with water. When they try, I want to see how the colors look, really look like. And that is why it is so important that you get to know closely your colors. How you can improve them or how you can use them to your advantage. Now, part of our abdomen and they are driving by. Now. Let's do the green set. And we added starting with the olive green. And the second green that we have is VDD. And the olive green is such a beautiful and classic color. I really like this color. And we're doing the same one lighter shade of this olive green, a darker pigment that olive green. So we have an idea how they look when they dry or an old painting. In reality, if you look at cactuses or school ends, this might be the natural color of these plants. Now we are using and deputy VN, a more middle emerald green. And we're doing this sign, a darker shade. And then I know that that is lighted. And this is when we are going to be painting or pieces. We are adding shade and we are trying to make the painting that I dimensional. And for that, we need to play with the concentration of the pigments. And does this look? And now we are going Use the last set of colors. And they are the burnt umber and the burnt sienna. I am starting with the burnt sienna, which is a little bit of a brown color that we might be using for the bot. Offer the ground where our cactuses planted. Weight not to come. Maybe use this for cactuses as well. Now the left corner is the burnt umber. And this is a more color, as you can see, very dark or very dark brown. And I didn't using the two shades as one dark and one very light, barely diluted with water. Alison, adding sun touches of color to see how my colors react when they are dry. And so beautiful. This is all the colors when they are dry. As we work with the Prussian blue and the cobalt turquoise light. And you can see how then we use the lilac and mineral violet. Then we use the olive green. And then BDD. Next we have the burnt sienna and burnt umber. They are looking very pretty and we are ready to start painting. I will see you in the next video. 4. The Brush Control Exercises: Here we have our color studies and now we are going to be doing some exercises. We, because we need to do it. And we're starting with the spines of the cactuses, which are very easy, and we're using finiteness to do them two types, one more big, one more fine. And it is very easy. You just need to check, sign on the cactus when you are painting them. And I wish you're doing more detail when we are. But this is pretty easy. You just use your fine liner to paint those spines. And now we are going to be doing there. But ash control using a fine brush the findings to have. And then with white paint, we're just tracing lines to practice these patterns because we are going to be meet, we're going to be using these patterns when we are painting the cactuses. Okay? These are just very finite. And you need to make sure do have a very nice control after brush. To do them properly. I will charge you more closely. Look just sort of on the bottom, and then going up very slowly to the Russian. Yet when you are more capable than you can crush on this. Another idea would be you use a fine liner or a paintbrush. We have the tip more sturdy, so it is easier for you to paint those lines. Now, we are going to make just dots. It helps you to control the size and the movement while using dirt, brush. It is relaxing exercise and it's better condom recommendable for you to do this type of exercise. So you contract your brush ECT. Now we're doing the spines with a white paint. And look how it easy. We first do a a V shape and then a line in the middle. So easy it is. Now we will continue with the lines, this time, giving a little bit more space between them. And now we are just making these horizontal lines. To practice brush control. You can go over the lines to make the pediment that occur if you need. Now, let's paint some diagonal lines. To practice the production control. You can do as many as you like. Your hand, get the muscle memory. You can play with the thickness, thickness of the lines. So you feel your brush on the paper. And the speed that you use will also give a different experience and a different look on your paintings. We're using the finite needs to make the patterns. You see that this is easier with a fine liner as it is with the brush. Because your muscle memory is already done. You know how to hold pencils or pens and do. Your brain knows how it is going with the fine liner. I'm undoing and the spines. And you see that it is a different look when I use the thicker fine liner, ask when I use the fine liner, which make it look more pointed. Now, I will continue using the fine line. So I just had an idea how they took undue, got to practice with me doing this exercise. This is somewhat thick line and you see the difference between the first one with it and the second one we're doing. Now There's find the V and the line in the middle. It is very easy and the effect is beautiful. You can do as many as you like. And it will give you a nice cactus effect. This binds on the cactuses for defending the plants and animals that want to eat them. This is why they have this Pines. No, I am doing the dots and it is easier with the fine liner. You can use the brush or the fine liner. Do us to prefer in. But also challenge yourself to use the Burdash. So as you get the control in your hands. We're going to repeat it, this exercises in the colors that we and really stabby. And as you can see, the colors are beautiful. Now I am doing a different pattern and this is hair shape for the spine. And look how is enqueued this look like. It means you can use your creativity to create your own patterns. And they will be unique design. And of course they will be beautiful. Don't hesitate to use your creativity. Does this principle most important, work? Well, quite creating injured pieces. Look at this collection of patterns. And I can't wait to see what you come out on the class project section for this class, I also did the study from the pink opera color that I forgot to do before. I will see you in the next video. 5. Boho Cactus Composition Elements: Before starting with our composition, Let's take a look at all the elements that we are going to be painting together during the class. Here, as you can see, I have different types of cactuses, some botanicals, and some other plants. We are going to be starting with the middle, creating a Saguaro Cactus. They're getting one in the middle. And then we're going to be painting the other elements. And I will be explaining all of them step by step. We have here a noble cactus. We have here some botanicals leaves. On the back. We have a snake plant in pink and a lower beta plant with a botanical leaf in lilac on the buck. So don't worry about it. We're start by creating every one of these elements. And you will be amazed how easy and fascinating to create this composition is. And you can use this as a card or a picture for your home. Now, it is time to start painting our beautiful and wild cactus composition. 6. Creating The Boho Cacti Composition: Here I have my bed, fix it on my surface, and I have placed it in a horizontal position. And I will be starting in the middle with the cactus. Then I will be adding the other elements and I will explain it to you as we go with the flow. I have here, my color palette. And here you can see that what we do before, all the brush control practices in all our colors are in place. So let's begin. And for that we need our brush. Number six, in this case, a lamp brush. You can use whatever brush you have, bigger, smaller. Just go with what you have. And I will start by painting with my olive green. The fears of my Saguaro Cactus. This shape is a elongated, oval. Using a very light shade of the olive green. Remember, you can use the color palette that you created before to create your composition. So here we have established the center of our painting. Now we're getting will be, will be easy for us to add the other elements IN letting the space below the, the cactus. Because we are going to be adding the soil after the composition dries. While or painting is still wet or Facepad. We are going to be adding some lines or torches with our pigment that olive green. And we are going to be doing like lines for separation on the color. I think starting with the sides and in the middle, leaving some more light spaces with the first layer that we painted. Be mindful of that because we need those more shallow colors. So effect shows up. We want to make like three lines with the watercolor. Now I will place the order to make this a Saguaro Cactus, starting with the dry the cactus, using the same olive green. And now we are painting the second, a little bit lower than the other and shorter hilus leg. He wants to dance right now. He's looking for a partner. Maybe you want to dance with him, adding some more pigment that watercolors. And you can see that my painting is still wet. Now I am adding that third layer, a more pigment that watercolors with this olive green. It is so beautiful, beautiful how the color reacts when the water is still on the page of when it doesn't when it is not that I completely we are using the wet on dry technique. And as you can see, the first layer is a darker shade of green and identify precisely making more like lines with this color. Using my brush in a very gentle manner. Not pressing with the paper. Just going up and down and moving my watercolor, I'm making sure that the lines are darker than the color that I have below and all the other layers of watercolor that we painted. So do please do the same. This work like this because the other layers that are still wet, not completely dry. So now we will proceed with the next step. And I'm changing my brush to a bigger one. And we're starting to paint than Nepal cactus. Then a bulk act. I enter in my mind corner here to see if the pigment, my Prussian blue is the way I want it. I am tracing the path of my notepad. Got this. And this is the body of the cactus indices. Why? This is the biggest pad of our composition for this NOPAT, NOPAT cactus. Now I will change the pigment to a cobalt turkeys. The painting. The other is smaller parts of my cactus. I them interchanging the colors. And I don't need to clean my brush because I want these two colors to be mixed. We are painting it. Small. Part of our Notepad, cactus. You can paint as many as you want. It just need to look cohesive for you. Now, we are going to be painting a little bit more of the smallest ones on the top of our notepad cactus. So it is looking more cohesive and had him on ice. And another one on top. I think this will be the last one. Look how I, how I enter in that the colors are in different intensities. And we are going to be adding some details with the white and black color. So keep in mind that the color needs to be a little bit intense, so the white shows up. Now I will start painting. On the left side, a lower beta plant. Making the leaves of this beautiful plant, which has elongated and pointed leaves. The colors that we're using are shades of green. And I'm mixing them so the shade gets a more contrasting between the believing WHO and the olive green. We add painting around five of these elongated and pointed leaf of our Alpha Beta. And as you can see, this is the first lady IN letting some white spaces between the inside the leaves. To make contrast. Afterwards, we are going to be adding some detail to the plant. And now we are going for the last live. Maybe I'm placing this here. So I then combine them and trying to make that all the elements are touching. So my composition looks harmonious. And I think we can paint another one here to make the plant more beautiful and consistent. I think we're good. Now I will be tracing some lines inside the leaves to make a second layer and to give structure to the plant. I will let this dry. And I will see you in the next video. 7. Boho Cacti Composition Adding The Leaves: Now my fifth part of the composition is dry. I will now add the botanicals behind one, behind the Nepal cactus. I will start with the pink in a very light shade. Using my brush. Number two, round brush number two. I'm going to start painting the leaves. I want these to be very, very light in pink. And this is my opera pink. So it will make a beautiful contrast. As you can see. It is looking really pretty. Using botanicals, endure composition helps you to fill up those blank spaces in beautiful Baja way. And my elements on the paper totally dry. So they will react when I paint over the sum of, of them, I would paint another little plant here. Let's call it a better plant. Pink. I will add all the elongated ellipse, but in small size. So easy it is. Notice that my brush retained a lot of water. And thus is the look that I'm looking for it in this creation. So I think another little leaf here to make the composition, guys, if okay. Let's now paint the lilac botanical behind my green aloe Vera. Tracing the line and then adding the leaves. Super easy. You can also add some berries if you prefer. To make the background more. Fill up with some elements. Having the lips Bette slowly. We don't need to rush. Remember this is just to have fun. And to create something beautiful. That brings joy. And that can make someone smile when they look at it. That it can majors that extra mile as well. Beautiful botanicals. Adding these elements or painting makes them really pop up. Okay. I think, I think we are ready with this lilac botanical and I want them to be ready lighting pigment. We don't need to add more layers or something. Now that my cactuses are dry, Let's add some elements to them. I will add some flowers to my cat and my Saguaro Cactus in violet to the Nepal cactus as well. I just want to make festival of colors here. So the contrast makes sense. Using the pink as well. Very pigment them. Pink flower on top, like a clown on top of our Saguaro Cactus. Let's see if we need another one. Maybe here, another small blooming flower. I think this is enough. Now let's add the soil. We are using, the burnt sienna and just going with the brush underneath our elements. Belgian, going around, making it look natural. So it's going gentle with the brush around. And I didn't using my brush, my round brush number six here. Okay, Now let's add another layer on top of my cactus using the Prussian blue. I want to make it a little bit more deep into the details, show up much better. I will add that gets layered on this side. And then with my brush just in what? I will move the color to the other side. So it's perfect. I will try to do it with all the parts of my cactus. Begin at a little bit of the color and adding them to my other bots to make them more strict, chair and define. Trying to let one side darker than the other. So the effect on us out, like a shadow. Mixing with the cobalt blue keys to create a combination of my two colors. I will go on All my paths, making the color more cohesive as well. Using my Prussian blue and my cobalt blue. Then I will let this completely dry before continuing with the details. And I will see you in the next video. 8. Boho Cati Composition The Details: Okay, our composition is already completely dry, and now we're start painting the details, starting with the white paint using my fine brush number. Though, CDO. These are very, very fine brush. If you don't have a very fine brush, don't hesitate to use a fine liner. White, fine line at ODU wine, white gel pens. Now, we had started painting the light or Nepal cactus. As we practice in their brush control exercises. You can see it makes a really nice contrast because the watercolor now is a little bit darker and the white pop up on our eyes. And then making many, many fine lines in the pad of our Nepal cactus. I will do the same with all the buds on my notepad cactus. Going and painting the lines with my fine brush and wipe pain. Take your time to paint these lines. You have already practiced enough, then this is a easy and fun part of your painting that you will enjoy. If you haven't practiced that much and then this is your time to practice. We're going to be adding these lines on all the paths on all Nepal cactus. Until we have painted onto the last part. It is very fun to do this. So take your time and go slowly. All the buds. Know what outside water, cactus. I will do some dots using my white paint and my fine brush to live a space between the dots. So the whole body of the cactus gets evenly. Decorate it. If you prefer, you can use lines in this cactus as well. But I find that does make them look super cute. We're filling up the body of our cactus in the hands with little white dots. Take your time to do this. And if you get tired, just come back later. To continue with your meditation. You can also paint these dots in another tape to prefer. Just be creative. This is the whole point of working with watercolors and creating art. So we're almost done here. And we will proceed with our fears. Aloe Vera plant, the pink one. And I will add a line in the middle as well in the flowers and in the botanicals. Just to make a little bit of a contrast and a structure on those elements that we have in our composition. I am going through all the elements, the flowers and the leaves, and the plants. Here in the green aloe Vera. I then adding some white lines to make it more structure. And you know, the Alberta had this white spot on them. I just, I'm doing them as lines. When we are finished with this details, we need it to let this completely dry. Before we proceed with the next step. I will see you in the next video. 9. Boho Cacti Composition Adding The Spines: Now we're ready to apply the other details which add the spines using our fine liner. And going around or not bulk cactus first, starting at the bottom and making those little v shapes with a line in the middle. As this is super easy to do. And they make the perfect look of a bulk cactus, Saguaro Cactus. I kept changing the names of these beautiful cactuses. I really hope they don't mind. I will go out on the sidewalk, cactus and paint some in the inside of the body. I hope you can see that I mentioned the dimensional look of this beautiful cactus. By now that the color has dried. I will show you more specifically so you can see it better. But working with, with lasers using the watercolors really gives you these effects. So beautiful. I think. So. Our cactus is complete. Now we can start with our Nepal cactus. Doing the round with the spines. Be a line in the middle. So it's signal lies the protection for the cactus. So the animals doesn't eat them. Does this the whole point of this spines. I am feeling the body of the cactus as well with some of those spines. And I will be going through all the cactus part. Those paths. The smallest one and the biggest ones are receiving the spines. Okay, let me give you a closer look on how this look. How easy it is to paint those spines. In a line in the middle. The autofocus is blazing around here. And I hope you can see it thoroughly. We're going through all the paths of the Nepal cactus. Composition is looking really nice, really cohesive, and all the colors that we have on the planet are beautiful and they are dying. They look so pretty. I'm super happy and having so much fun painting this with you. And I hope you are having so much fun as well. And you feel motivated and inspired to share to your own creations of this composition. In the class project section for this class. I can't wait to see them. Now, let's add the spines to or alloy better. Starting with the big one, they are green. I'm adding this binds around the leaves. This so comfortable to paint. And I hope you are painting with me along with me. And we are having this much fun. I then not speeding up the class. So you have a real-time painting process IN just letting out the dry time because this is really too much time. Maybe an hour or so, that will be too much for you. But I hope do aren't judging to see me painting in real time on the leaf needs to get the spines. So be patient and take it easy because this is work we have work to do. And remember, you can take breaks between the paint. Doesn't get tired or bored. By doing this activity is to have fun. Of course. We're almost done with our big alloy better. Okay? Now we have the last lives of our alphabet. And this will be complete. So we can go and start painting this bind onto the pink beta. And this is a very small one. So we are going to finish as soon as the blink of an eye. Just adding all the spines inside and out of the leaves to give it the look of a alloy beta. And we have here the last leaf. And we're going to finish it thoroughly and then we can continue. I will see you in the next video. 10. Boho Cacti Composition The Reveal: Time to add the last details which add some splashes on the bug. And then using the pink. First, using my flat brush and my bamboo stick. And going on or places of my painting. Then I will add a little bit of blue to my contrast. Going on some places, throw my paper. This makes the picture for the painting look more cohesive and fun. Let this dry. And now I will add my signature. Please don't forget to these older paintings. So you have your mark on your art work. I remove all the washi tapes and this is how our beautiful cactus composition looks like. And I can't wait to see what you create. And please take a look at the class project section for this class where I left you a sample project so you have a better idea on how to create your own class project. Of this class, I will see you in the next video. 11. Your Class Project: Congratulations, you've finished the glass and see if you are seeing this video is because you are ready to upload your class project in the class project section for this class, I will display to help a little bit further. To give it. Do I now ready? And you have all the insights to create your own watercolor cactus composition. And I can't wait to see what you create. Just remember, you can upload a picture with sketches that do materials, work in progress or your final paper, and upload them to the class project section for this class. And I will love to review your class and comment on them. I will see you in the next video. 12. Thank You So Much : Thank you so much for taking my class. It wasn't really a joy to have you in class and I can't wait to see you beautiful creations and get in contact with you through your class project. In the class project section, I would love to hear from you is you have any doubt, any suggestion, anything you want to share with me, please feel free to just write me a note in the discussion section for this class is very easy. I will love to read your comments and rewards. You can follow me here and I screen share so you don't miss any class updates, any conversation that I share with my students. And I really love to have you in my family to can also follow me on Instagram. And if you check your work over there, then just tap on me and I will go and see what you create. It is always a pleasure to share their new classmates. And I can't wait to see you in my next classes or in my previous ones. Take care and good creative. I will say to me my next class. Bye bye.