Watercolour painting has long been celebrated for its ability to capture the delicate, ephemeral beauty of flowers. From the soft, transparent washes that evoke the gossamer petals to the dynamic, expressive brushstrokes that suggest movement and life, this medium lends itself beautifully to floral art. However, finding the right balance between realism and personal expression can be a nuanced and rewarding challenge for artists.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
The Journey Towards Floral Mastery
As watercolour artist Angela Fehr notes, ”Painting flowers feels like ‘coming home.’ It’s comfortable, expressive, and almost effortless to shape petals, leaves and sunshine into a floral that is clearly an ‘Angela Fehr.'” This sense of familiarity and fluency with the floral subject matter is something many watercolour painters strive for. Yet, the path to this level of mastery is often paved with experimentation, risk-taking, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures.
Fehr’s own artistic journey illustrates this well. She explains that while painting flowers may feel “almost effortless,” landscapes have presented a greater challenge in striking the right balance between realism and personal style. ”It is not easy to find the balance between realism and self-expression, and I think it is this awareness of how much I have to learn that has helped me be a sympathetic watercolour teacher,” she notes. This sentiment resonates for many artists, as the pursuit of individual expression within the bounds of realistic representation can be an ongoing and enlightening process.
The Allure of Floral Expressionism
Branching out from pure realism, some artists are drawn to a more expressive, interpretive approach to floral watercolours. As painter Carla Golembe shares, ”My interest as an artist lies in expressing how something feels rather than what it looks like.” Her vibrant, dreamlike floral compositions demonstrate a delicate balance between botanical accuracy and lyrical, emotive brushwork.
Golembe’s work exemplifies the “magic realism” that can emerge when artists embrace their personal vision and translation of the natural world. ”Using striking shape and vivid color, Carla Golembe shares her passion for acrylic painting with brilliant imagery and attention to detail,” her website explains. ”With paintings and illustrations that stand apart and showcase a true eye for beauty, Carla is a unique original artist and illustrator whose works have been featured in high-profile venues and exhibitions worldwide.”
This capacity to infuse floral imagery with a sense of wonder, mystery, and personal expression is a hallmark of the most compelling watercolour artists. By cultivating a strong foundation in botanical drawing and painting techniques, they are then able to thoughtfully and skillfully deviate from realism, creating works that captivate the viewer on an emotional level.
Watercolour Techniques for Expressive Florals
Achieving this balance between realism and personal expression in watercolour florals requires a mastery of both technical skills and creative intuition. Watercolourist Chris (of Espero Art) emphasizes the importance of “simplifying your art” and “discovering how to break down complex shapes and colors into simpler forms.” This foundational understanding allows artists to then layer in their own unique interpretations and stylistic flourishes.
One powerful technique for adding expressive elements is the wet-on-wet method, where pigments are applied to damp paper to create soft, atmospheric backgrounds and blended effects. ”Explore methods to add your personal touch to the artwork,” Chris advises. ”These techniques help create a piece that reflects your unique style.”
Complementing the fluid, intuitive nature of wet-on-wet, experimental mixed media approaches can also elevate the personal expression in floral watercolours. Incorporating collage elements, textural mediums, and unconventional tools can introduce unexpected and evocative marks, shapes, and compositions.
As artist Stanka Kordic notes, ”Try new tools to break your default mode. I will use, tape, brayers, sponges, sandpaper, fingers, to get myself out of my learned box. Even holding the brush differently will inspire a new mark that is useful.” By embracing a spirit of playful exploration, artists can push the boundaries of traditional watercolour and infuse their floral paintings with a captivating sense of individuality.
Practical Floral Painting Tutorials
For aspiring watercolour artists seeking to hone their skills in floral painting, a wealth of practical tutorials and demonstrations are available. These resources can provide step-by-step guidance on fundamental techniques, from layering transparent washes to capturing the delicate forms of botanicals through pencil sketching.
One particularly valuable tutorial is Chris’ ”Angel Watercolor Tutorial,” which walks students through the process of painting a serene floral scene featuring an angelic figure. ”In this Angel Watercolor Tutorial, you will learn how to transform a reference photo into a unique piece of art,” the tutorial description explains. ”I’ll provide step-by-step guidance throughout the process, from sketching to the final touches.”
By breaking down the painting process into manageable steps and offering insights into colour, brushwork, and composition, these tutorials empower artists to confidently explore their own floral interpretations. Whether working in a strictly representational style or embracing a more expressive, abstract approach, the combination of technical know-how and creative freedom is what ultimately allows watercolour florals to blossom.
Cultivating a Personal Floral Style
Ultimately, the journey of balancing realism and personal expression in floral watercolours is a highly individual one. As artists like Angela Fehr, Carla Golembe, and Stanka Kordic have demonstrated, there is no single “right” way to approach this medium. The key is to remain open, curious, and willing to experiment.
By starting with a solid foundation in botanical drawing and painting techniques, artists can then thoughtfully and skillfully deviate from realism, allowing their unique perspectives, emotions, and artistic voices to shine through. Whether through the use of wet-on-wet effects, mixed media explorations, or a keen eye for colour and composition, the possibilities for creating captivating, expressive floral watercolours are endless.
As you embark on your own floral painting journey, embrace the lessons of persistence, risk-taking, and personal expression that have guided so many successful artists before you. And remember, the true beauty of watercolour lies not just in the final painting, but in the process of discovery and growth along the way. Happy painting!
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique