Creating Stunning Abstract Watercolor Flowers: Tips and Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 9 min read

Creating abstract watercolor flowers is a wonderful way to express your creativity and add a splash of color to your life. In this blog, we'll explore tips and techniques to help you create stunning works of art featuring abstract watercolor flowers. Let's get started!

Choosing the Right Materials

Before you begin painting your abstract watercolor flowers, it's important to select the right materials. This will ensure your artwork looks its best and lasts a long time. Let's take a closer look at some essential materials to get started.

Paper Selection

To create vibrant abstract watercolor flowers, you'll want to use high-quality watercolor paper. This type of paper is specifically designed to hold water, which allows the colors to blend and flow beautifully. Look for the following features when selecting your paper:

Weight: Heavier paper (140 lb or 300 gsm) is ideal, as it can handle more water without warping or buckling.
Texture: Watercolor paper comes in three textures: hot-pressed (smooth), cold-pressed (medium), and rough. Cold-pressed paper is the most popular choice for painting abstract watercolor flowers, as it provides a nice balance between smoothness and texture.

Watercolor Brands

There are many watercolor brands on the market, so it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your abstract watercolor flowers. Some popular artist-grade brands include:

Winsor & Newton
Daniel Smith
M. Graham
Sennelier

These brands offer high-quality pigments and excellent color vibrancy. If you're just starting out or on a budget, student-grade brands like Cotman and Van Gogh can also provide satisfactory results.

Brushes and Tools

Having the right brushes and tools will make painting your abstract watercolor flowers much easier. Here are some essentials to consider:

Round brushes: These versatile brushes come in various sizes and are perfect for painting petals and other flower elements.
Flat brushes: Use these to create bold strokes, fill in large areas, or create interesting textures.
Detail brushes: Small, fine brushes are great for adding intricate details and finishing touches to your abstract watercolor flowers.
Palette: A mixing palette is essential for blending and mixing your watercolors. Look for one with multiple wells to keep your colors organized.

Now that you have the right materials, you're ready to start painting your abstract watercolor flowers!

Basic Floral Shapes

Before diving into the world of abstract watercolor flowers, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with some basic floral shapes. This will give you a foundation to build upon as you experiment with different techniques and styles. Let's explore three popular flower shapes to get started.

Roses

Roses are a classic choice when painting flowers, and they can be easily adapted to create stunning abstract watercolor flowers. To paint a rose, follow these simple steps:

Start by painting a small circle or oval in the center of your rose. This will serve as the bud.
Using a round brush, paint loose, curved strokes around the bud to create petals. Vary the size and shape of your strokes to give the rose a more natural appearance.
Continue to add petals, working your way outwards and increasing their size to create the illusion of depth.
Add color variations and softened edges to enhance the abstract feel of your rose.

Daisies

Daisies are another popular flower choice and can be easily transformed into abstract watercolor flowers. To paint a daisy, follow these steps:

Begin by painting a small circle or dot in the center of your daisy. This will serve as the flower's center.
Using a round brush, paint elongated oval shapes around the center to create petals. Vary the size and direction of your strokes for a more abstract look.
Add color variations and blending to the petals and center for a more unique and artistic appearance.

Tulips

Tulips are a beautiful and simple flower shape that can be easily adapted for abstract watercolor flowers. To paint a tulip, follow these steps:

Start by painting a curved line for the stem of your tulip.
Using a round brush, paint teardrop-shaped petals along the stem. You can vary the size, shape, and angle of the petals for a more abstract appearance.
Add color variations, blending, and softened edges to create a unique and visually interesting abstract watercolor tulip.

Now that you have a basic understanding of these floral shapes, you can begin to experiment and create your own unique abstract watercolor flowers!

Color Theory and Mixing

Color plays a significant role in the beauty and appeal of your abstract watercolor flowers. Understanding color theory and mastering mixing techniques will help you create visually stunning artwork. Let's delve into the basics of color and how to mix them effectively.

Color Wheel

The color wheel is a fundamental tool that helps you understand how colors relate to one another. It consists of primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), secondary colors (green, orange, and purple) created by mixing primary colors, and tertiary colors formed by mixing primary and secondary colors. Familiarizing yourself with the color wheel will enable you to create harmonious color schemes and avoid muddy, unappealing hues in your abstract watercolor flowers.

Harmonious Colors

Creating harmony in your artwork is essential for producing visually pleasing abstract watercolor flowers. Some tips for achieving harmony include:

Complementary colors: These are colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange, or red and green. When used together, they create a vibrant and dynamic contrast.
Monochromatic colors: Using different shades, tints, and tones of a single color can create a sense of unity and cohesion in your artwork.
Analogous colors: These are colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel, such as red, orange, and yellow. Using analogous colors can create a harmonious, soothing effect in your abstract watercolor flowers.

Mixing Techniques

Effectively mixing colors is crucial for achieving the desired hues and tones in your abstract watercolor flowers. Here are some helpful tips for mixing watercolors:

Start with a limited palette: Using a limited number of colors can help you gain a better understanding of how they interact and mix. With practice, you'll be able to create a wide range of hues from just a few primary colors.
Use a mixing surface: A palette or a ceramic plate can be used as a mixing surface, allowing you to experiment with color combinations and control the amount of paint you're using.
Gradually add colors: When mixing colors, start with a small amount of paint and gradually add more to achieve the desired hue. This will help you avoid wasting paint and give you more control over the final color.
Test your colors: Before applying mixed colors to your artwork, test them on a scrap piece of watercolor paper. This will help you see how the colors will appear when dry and prevent any unwanted surprises.

Armed with a better understanding of color theory and mixing techniques, you're ready to create beautifully harmonious abstract watercolor flowers that will captivate your audience.

Watercolor Techniques

Mastering various watercolor techniques will help you create stunning abstract watercolor flowers that showcase your artistic skills. Let's explore some popular techniques that can elevate your artwork and bring your floral creations to life.

Wet-on-Wet

The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint onto a wet surface, resulting in a smooth, blended effect. This technique allows colors to flow and mix naturally, creating soft edges and beautiful transitions between shades. To achieve this effect:

Wet the area of your paper where you want to paint with clean water, using a brush or a spray bottle.
While the paper is still wet, apply your chosen paint colors, allowing them to spread and mix as they come into contact with the water.
Allow the paint to dry naturally or use a hairdryer to speed up the process.

Wet-on-wet is perfect for creating dreamy, ethereal abstract watercolor flowers with a soft, blended appearance.

Wet-on-Dry

Wet-on-dry is a technique where wet paint is applied to a dry surface. This method allows for more control and precision, producing crisp edges and more defined shapes. To use the wet-on-dry technique:

Ensure your paper is completely dry before applying paint.
Using a brush loaded with paint, create your desired shapes or lines on the dry paper.
Allow the paint to dry, either naturally or using a hairdryer.

This technique is ideal for adding details or creating bold, defined abstract watercolor flowers.

Glazing

Glazing is a technique that involves applying thin, transparent layers of paint over a dried layer, creating depth and luminosity. This method can be used to adjust the color or value of an area in your abstract watercolor flowers. To glaze your artwork:

Ensure the underlying layer of paint is completely dry.
Create a thin, transparent mixture of paint by diluting it with water.
Apply the glaze gently over the dried paint layer, taking care not to disturb the underlying colors.
Allow the glaze to dry completely before adding additional layers if desired.

Glazing can add depth and richness to your abstract watercolor flowers, making them even more visually stunning.

By mastering these watercolor techniques, you'll be well-equipped to create captivating abstract watercolor flowers that showcase your artistic talents and unique style.

Composition and Design

Creating eye-catching abstract watercolor flowers goes beyond mastering techniques—it also involves understanding the principles of composition and design. By incorporating these elements, you'll be able to create balanced, harmonious, and visually appealing artwork that captures the viewer's attention.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a simple guideline that helps you create a well-balanced composition. It involves dividing your paper into nine equal parts—three horizontal sections and three vertical sections. Place the focal points of your abstract watercolor flowers at the intersections of these lines to create a more dynamic and visually appealing composition. This technique can make your artwork more intriguing and engaging to the viewer.

Balance and Contrast

Balance and contrast are essential for creating harmonious and visually appealing abstract watercolor flowers. To achieve balance in your artwork, consider the following:

Color: Use a mix of warm and cool colors to create a sense of balance and harmony.
Size: Vary the size of your flowers and elements to avoid monotony and create visual interest.
Shape: Incorporate various shapes and forms to add depth and complexity to your composition.

Contrast, on the other hand, can make your abstract watercolor flowers stand out. You can create contrast by using:

Color: Pair complementary colors or use a combination of light and dark shades.
Texture: Combine smooth and rough textures to add visual interest and depth.
Value: Use a range of light and dark values to create a sense of depth and dimension.

Focal Points

A strong focal point can draw the viewer's attention and make your abstract watercolor flowers truly captivating. To create effective focal points in your artwork:

Choose one or more elements to serve as the center of interest, such as a particularly striking flower or an area with vibrant colors.
Emphasize your focal points by using contrasting colors, bolder shapes, or more intricate details.
Arrange the other elements in your composition to lead the viewer's eye towards the focal points, using techniques like repetition, leading lines, or patterns.

By incorporating these composition and design principles, you'll be able to create stunning abstract watercolor flowers that are both visually appealing and well-balanced, making your artwork truly stand out.

Finishing Touches

Once you've created your abstract watercolor flowers and applied the principles of composition and design, it's time to add the final touches to your artwork. These finishing touches can enhance your painting, make it look polished, and showcase your unique artistic style.

Adding Details

Details can bring your abstract watercolor flowers to life, adding depth, texture, and interest to your composition. Consider the following techniques to add details to your artwork:

Line work: Use a fine brush or pen to add delicate lines, swirls, or patterns to your flowers, leaves, and other elements.
Highlights: Apply light-colored paint or a white gel pen to create highlights, making your flowers appear more dimensional and vibrant.
Texture: Use a dry brush, sponge, or other textured tools to add interesting textures to your painting, enhancing the overall visual appeal.

Correcting Mistakes

Even the most experienced artists can make mistakes. Thankfully, there are ways to correct or disguise them in your abstract watercolor flowers:

Lifting: Use a clean, damp brush or tissue to gently lift or lighten areas where the paint may have spread too far or the color is too intense.
Layering: If an area appears too light or transparent, add more layers of paint to achieve the desired depth and opacity.
Embellishments: Disguise mistakes by incorporating them into new design elements, such as adding leaves, stems, or additional flowers to cover up unwanted marks.

Signing and Sealing

Finally, don't forget to sign your artwork to make it truly yours. Choose a discreet location and sign with a fine brush, pen, or pencil. Additionally, applying a sealant or fixative can help protect your painting from dust, fading, and other potential damage:

Fixative spray: Use a fixative spray specifically designed for watercolors to protect the surface of your painting without altering the colors or texture.
UV protective varnish: Apply a UV protective varnish to shield your artwork from the harmful effects of sunlight, helping to maintain its vibrancy over time.

By following these steps and applying the finishing touches to your abstract watercolor flowers, you'll be able to create a stunning, polished piece of art that showcases your unique style and creativity.

If you enjoyed our blog post on watercolour techniques and want to dive deeper into the world of watercolour painting, don't miss the workshop 'Introduction to Watercolours' by Bianca Rosen. This workshop will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to master watercolour painting and unleash your creativity.