Easy and fast. I really like this watercolor flower technique when pressed for time. Its a simple thing to get out the Rekab #2 320s watercolor brush and mix up a couple of pretty colors!

Watercolor Flower Technique
I actually don’t know of anyone else who has done this, but I can’t possibly be the only person to have used the brush this way. Its not a unique Debi Riley watercolor flower technique that I am aware of!
The Steps Used
- Load up my brush with the orange yellow first
- and then dunk it into the deeper darker, toned red pink last
- Hold the brush pointed towards me at 12 o’clock
- and then simply rotate it clockwise in a nudging, gentle fashion on the paper
- releasing the colors on the watercolor paper … gently
- leaving a nice big center, that is irregular in shape
- when its dry, if you choose,
- return to it and put a pale cream butter jot of yellow within part of the center
- not mid tone yellow, but clear and transparent
- keep it simple – keep it fun!
I like to keep my watercolor flower centres white. They sparkle that way.
It enhances the bold impact, the loveliness of the shape the white has created!! When I ‘add yellow’ it always, takes away from the impact, the clarity, the ‘oomph’ I had hoped for.
So, now – I just leave it out.
Doing several watercolor flowers, to get the ‘hang’ of it is a great idea.
But its a fun and simplified version to painting nice little watercolor floral cards.
Or simply just a relaxing form of zen – meditation, really.

Posts
Easy Beginners Watercolour Techniques
What’s happening in May
It is Day 18 of the May Challenge I’ve committed to with Laura at createarteveryday.com and Margaret at yubagold.wordpress.com Daring Watercolors.
We’ve chosen to “create something” and post each of the days of May.
Some days the Muse is with me. Some days she is not. Muses, as I’ve mentioned ….come and go at their pleasure. Not mine.
We’re not always, 24-7 “on” nor do I expect myself to be perfect. To create something that draws oohs and ahs each post.
Its not possible. Nor, is it a reasonable expectation of myself.
In the midst of this May Challenge, my computer backup system had a failure along with my hard drive failing… losing all photos and docs of the past. But, I’m so lucky to have the 300+ compressed images on WordPress!!
My next post will feature a walk through a few chosen gardens of the past, using some of my remaining WordPress images.
For a list of stockists and art store suppliers for the Rekab 320s #2 brush see my post Watercolor Brushes.
I personally, have bought and tried over 300 brushes.
And, just saying…. the Rekab is the only one I can get to cooperative with me nicely, to create these easy watercolor flowers that sparkle!
I love that “pin it” option with your flower, I pinned it of course, simple and lovely. I wasn’t able to see where you can buy the Rekab 320s #2 size. The store in New Jersey doesn’t seem to stock it, I’ll do more research on it. What a horrible thing losing your photos! 😦 I can’t imagine. At least you had access to some of them.
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thanks Margaret! do all my images have the pin option? they’re supposed to…. The Art Scene in Sydney will and so will the artshop in victoria. its hard to locate in the US but Armadillo ‘used to’….
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ah….maybe they did all along but I just noticed it. 🙂 I’ll do some research on finding that brush.
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You make it sound so easy.
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I agree about flower centres being left white, but I didn’t know that till I just read it now! Lovely technique.
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thanks Vicki! 🙂 glad that I shared something… a bit fresh and new!! It is getting to be more of a challenge now though …. lol
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More beautiful ideas and inspirations. Thanks, Debi, for sharing your paintings and techniques.
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thank you!! it is so wonderful get get your feedback and thoughts! its lovely to hear from you, and other readers finding out whats on your minds!
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Wow, what a great technique, Debi! And you do make it look so easy. Love those colors, they wanna jump right into a vase here on my table! I’m so glad you still have your WP images. Can’t even imagine what that must be like but you are rolling on with a happy heart, as always….inspiring us all!! 💜😘🎨👏🌻
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yes! happy as can be 🙂 thank you Laura!
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Dear Debi, nice flowers, as usual. The bald vulture would like some yellow in the middle of the flowers below because they remind me of pansies a lot. Hope you don’t dislike me now. Cheers, Mitza
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Wonderful paintings and article.
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Beautiful, Debi! The colors on that first one just pop off the screen… and I really like that! hehe… gorgeous my friend! 😍
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thanks Charlie! its my fav too 🙂 the lavender was a tad…. under for me !
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I like the simplicity and the pure color on the paper. Thanks Debi for sharing your thoughts and imagination.
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thanks Sharon, I’m glad you enjoy these…. and continue to comment 🙂
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Love the water colors!
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thank you! that starts the morning off great!! cheers, Debi
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love the technique Debi. I have some giant poppies just opening and think it’s time for some wabi sabi for them 🙂
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fabulous!! I’m excited now to see more of your New Work!!
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