Spring is upon us and it’s finally starting to feel like a new year. So let’s make something fresh and pretty for our homes, shall we?
I want to show you how you can make a one-of-a-kind piece of art work for your walls at home. A beautiful abstract watercolor painting.
Here’s what you need
- Canvas (mine is from a local craft store)
- Gesso
- Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor set (similar)
- Paint brushes (mine are cheap ones from a local craft store)
Optional supplies
Get your supplies out and let’s get painting!
I’ve put together a video to show you just how easy creating your own abstract watercolor painting is.
The best thing is that’s it’s both minimalistic AND detailed. It will look so fancy and advanced – especially if you take the time to add texture with stencils beforehand. I totally recommend doing that.
Don’t save this for later – put it in your schedule or, better yet, do it right now. Have fun painting!
xo Nina
This is amazing Nina!! I could watch you painting all day. I NEED modeling paste now! Thanks friend!!
Yes you do! Art journaling without modeling paste is like a cheeseburger without cheese. ;)
Thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t wait to do my own!
I’m unclear about order and type of canvas prep. Since ur painting over a used canvas I assume it was already prepped before these steps…it sounds like u did modeling paste texture followed by gesso on this one (which I assume was already gesso WD from original painting?) if starting from fresh canvas do u gesso first, then use modeling paste…or reverse? Pls clarify order. Also u say u add gesso to make it receptive to paint…my experience is that gesso repels watercolor. Also do u seal it…if so with what? Hope this isn’t too confusing…I do want to try it and thank u for making video.
Hi Bonnie!
Yeah I’m sorry it wasn’t super clear how I prepped it. I have quite a few failed motifs under this so it had a lot of texture already. I used some modeling paste to enhance the texture even more and the white gesso, just like you say. :) Gesso can feel like it’s repelling the watercolors so I recommend painting on a flat surface with the canvas laying flat, not standing up. Some of the paint will run off if it’s upright.
After the gesso you can go ahead and paint with watercolors. As it dries it will cling to the gesso’ed surface and won’t rub off. I feel no need to seal it (unless maybe you hang it in a wet room like the bathroom and expose it to water splashing). I hope this helps! :)
Thank you so much for your question. I’ll keep it in mind for future tutorials. Sometimes I’m so focused on not rambling that I forget to include things in my voice overs. :) So again, I’m sorry for the trouble.
Have a great Friday and I hope you get to painting. Kind regards, Nina.
Very nice tutorial Nina,Amazing. Enjoyed it.please can you specify how you used the stencils and modeling paste to get the uneven effect on the canvas.Can we do this on 300gm grain paper also.
Thank you
Rita