Exploring Texture & Depth with Simple Watercolor

Welcome to BETTER WITH ART. I’m Melinda and I’m here to encourage you to reclaim your creativity and practice creative self-care with weekly small-art prompts that can be done in the privacy of an art journal or on paper if you don’t have one. Cardstock would be best for this week’s watercolor art.

Join me in practicing creative self-care with a fun and easy watercolor project you can do in just a few minutes at a time or extend the relaxation for longer time you have. Enjoy three techniques for watercolor backgrounds and play with layers to create depth that makes our background our foreground.

Using inexpensive watercolor in spring colors I need a strong dose of, I’ll walk you through creating a layered leaf painting with the option of three different background techniques: plastic wrap, salt, and a plain variegated watercolor wash. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced painter, this project is a great way to relax while strengthening your watercolor skills.

Take time to make art. Because we are BETTER WITH ART! Scroll below the video for this week’s materials and suggested journals.

MATERIALS

If you’re interested in purchasing an ideal art journal for the wet, dry, and layered applications we use on BETTER WITH ART, the paper is important. It needs to be heavy-weight and smooth. Hot-press if it’s watercolor or some heavier mixed-media paper, because although I love the texture of cold-press it’s really hard on markers and pens. I aim for 140lb/300gsm. As mentioned in the video, the art journal I recommended from the beginning and used for art journaling groups at the library where I work is no longer available in the size I used. It’s still available in a larger size, and, I found out last night, at least occasionally available in small quantities so will include the link just in case, and if you’re interested in the larger size.

Here’s what else I’m using in this week’s video, which is so far so okay:
Lightwish Watercolor Sketchbook LIGHTWISH Watercolor Paper 2-Pack https://amzn.to/3Fe8zog

Here’s a link with more options.

I always use inexpensive watercolors in my videos because you don’t need to spend a lot of money to reclaim your creativity. My current favorite is the Prang set of 8 basic colors (currently just $3.89).

Here are the Grabie watercolor brushes I’m loving (more of an investment than my typical BWA tools).

I’m using artPOP! watercolor pencils in this video.
An even more economical option, that I often prefer, is Crayola

I, of course, used my favorite, tough, long-lasting scissors to cut my leaf template.

And these are the very useful shop towels I always have handy in the studio.

You can check out more of my favorite art supplies available on Amazon by visiting my slowly growing storefront.

If you use any of my Amazon product links and make a qualifying purchase, I will, at no cost to you, earn a commission, a convenient way you can support my channel while enjoying new art supplies. So thanks if you do!