• Home
  • About
  • Art Days 2018
  • Etsy Shop
  • Freebies
  • Subscribe
Paper Nerd

Crafting

DIY Abstract Watercolor Painting | Video Tutorial

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

  • Stencils
  • Modeling paste
  • White acrylic paint

DIY Abstract Watercolor Painting – Super Easy! With video Tutorial

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.

DIY Abstract Watercolor Painting – Super Easy! With video Tutorial

Don’t save this for later – put it in your schedule or, better yet, do it right now. Have fun painting!

xo Nina

Share

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Share

Share
Tweet
Email
Pin
Comment
Previous
Next

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. lauren says

    March 17, 2016 at 02:45

    This is amazing Nina!! I could watch you painting all day. I NEED modeling paste now! Thanks friend!!

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      March 17, 2016 at 20:48

      Yes you do! Art journaling without modeling paste is like a cheeseburger without cheese. ;)

      Reply
  2. Dawn says

    March 17, 2016 at 16:33

    Thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t wait to do my own!

    Reply
  3. Bonnie says

    April 1, 2016 at 18:20

    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.

    Reply
    • Nina Christensen says

      April 1, 2016 at 22:04

      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.

      Reply
  4. Rita says

    September 3, 2016 at 15:11

    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

    Reply

Hi! I’m Nina

Paper Nerds are loving

  • Easy DIY Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial and Freebie Printable
    Easy DIY Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial and Freebie Printable
  • DIY String Closure for your Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial
    DIY String Closure for your Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial
  • Watercolors: When to prime – and when not to!
    Watercolors: When to prime – and when not to!
  • 2015 Project Life Catch Up Checklist | Free Printable
    2015 Project Life Catch Up Checklist | Free Printable

About sponsors and affiliates

If a product is given to me as a sample or gift (for review or otherwise) it will be clearly stated in the article. My opinions are always my own and I pride myself on my honest and thorough reviews. I don’t endorse anything I don’t fully believe in and haven’t thoroughly tested myself.

I use affiliate links on this blog to all of my favorite products. If you enjoy my work you can shop crafting supplies and more – at no extra cost to you – via my affiliate links and support me and my work.

I’m very thankful for all your support! <3

Get the Paper Nerd newsletter



Receive inspiring blog posts and lovely newsletters in your email. Subscribers get the Paint-it-Yourself Planner printable for free!
* = required field

Paper Nerds Are Loving

  • Easy DIY Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial and Freebie Printable
    Easy DIY Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial and Freebie Printable
  • DIY String Closure for your Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial
    DIY String Closure for your Traveler's Notebook | Tutorial
  • Watercolors: When to prime – and when not to!
    Watercolors: When to prime – and when not to!
  • 2015 Project Life Catch Up Checklist | Free Printable
    2015 Project Life Catch Up Checklist | Free Printable
  • Review | Clipbook by Filofax
    Review | Clipbook by Filofax
  • Living in Nyborg is a beautiful thing
    Living in Nyborg is a beautiful thing

Explore

  • Crafting
  • Art Journaling
  • Planning & Doing
  • Reviews
  • My Story
  • FAQ

Copyright 2022 Nina Berg Christensen