Cherry Blossoms in Watercolour
In this class we paint a soft and joyful spring scene using the wet-on-wet watercolour technique.
Remember you can watch this recording and Loads and Loads of other class recordings in the Library Here
Together we create a glowing background and then slowly build up the painting in layers, finishing with delicate cherry blossoms and the suggestion of a tower in the distance.
I start by showing you how to prepare your paper with water so the colours can move and blend naturally across the page. Using gentle washes of colour, we create a loose background where yellows, pinks and touches of green softly merge together. This is the magic of wet-on-wet painting: letting the water and pigment do some of the work for you.
Once the first layer is dry, we move on to sketching the main shapes of the tower and the branches. I demonstrate how to keep the sketch light and simple so the watercolour remains fresh and luminous.
From there we begin adding details. We work both wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, building up the branches, blossoms and shadows to create depth. I also show you how to twist and vary the pressure of your brush to make natural looking branches, and how small details can bring the whole painting together.
It was such a joyful class. I truly loved seeing everyone’s cherry blossom paintings at the end, and they all looked absolutely wonderful.
If you paint along with the recording, please do share your artwork in the group. I always love seeing what you create, and when you share your piece you will also be entered into our monthly giveaway.
Take your time with this one, enjoy the process, and let the water and colour flow.
Materials I used
Watercolour sketchbook or watercolour paper
Mop paintbrush
Small round paintbrush
Sketching pencil
Painter’s tape (optional)
Daler-Rowney watercolours
Fluorescent pink watercolour (a small touch for the blossoms)
Plenty of clean water
Optional:
Hair dryer for drying between layers
White gouache for highlights
This was great fun!