Learn how to paint a cluster of flowers with watercolors effortlessly and loosely by using techniques such as wet-on-wet, splattering, lifting, scumbling and layering.

What will we do in this class?

If you’d like to paint flowers like wisteria, lilac and golden shower loosely using watercolors, then this class is for you.

In this short course, we will focus on the different techniques that beginners can easily do on their own to paint a cluster of flowers like the one shown below.

The techniques to be discussed will help you:

Achieve a smooth background even with a small brush;
Paint clusters of flowers loosely and create organic marks;
Use shadows to add volume to things like the vase’
Add details and create organic marks; and
Mix your own colors and work with a limited palette consisting of 4 colors only.

By the end of this class, you can then choose your own reference photo and apply the same techniques discussed and work on your own project.

Color Mixing

As I am recently into a limited palette, I will also show you how to expand four colors and mix secondary colors that we’ll use for the class project. We’ll start with a demonstration of how I set up my working space and swatch my colors to make sure that I have all the colors I need.

This is especially helpful if you find one color very challenging to work with. My demonstrations will make you realize that all it takes is a bit of color mixing and giving that “not favorite” color a second chance to redeem itself.

One of the pigments shown in this class is Greenish Yellow which I avoided using the first time I swatched it. But when mixed with the right colors, it could be pretty useful, too.

Who is this class for?

This class is specifically designed with watercolor beginners in mind. I know that the techniques will work since I had taught this with my face-to-face watercolor workshops where most of the participants are beginners and used watercolor for the first time.

To encourage you, here are some of their before and after the workshop paintings.

What do you think? Of course you can do it, too!

What do we need to get started?

All the information you’ll need including colors used, recommended materials, finished painting and future projects can be found in the Class Guide. Please go to the Resources tab and grab your copy if you haven’t already.

To help you get ready, here’s a list of materials that you’ll need to prepare:

Watercolor paper (preferably 300GSM and 100% cotton as we’ll be doing lots of wet-no-wet technique)
Watercolor paints (colors are mentioned in the Class Guide)
Watercolor brushes (a 1 inch flat brush and a size 6 round brush would do)
Water jar, rag or paper towel, masking tape (for a clean border)
Backing board, pencil and eraser
Kitchen plastic wrap (optional)

If you’re all set, I’ll see you in class and let’s get started.

Music by Purple Planet.com

Pattye Archer

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