How to paint loose roses in watercolour
I’ve always been drawn towards painting subjects in a realistic style, which is what led me to develop the unique painting method and style I’m best known for.
But I find other painting styles hold lots of appeal too, and many of my School members have said they’d love to explore watercolour painting in its other forms as well.
I’m in full favour of learning to paint in more than one style, so to help with this, I’ve decided to create more opportunities for you to explore watercolour further.
As you’ll know if you’ve seen the Illustrative Lemon tutorial, I believe that learning to paint in more than one style is no different to learning more than one language or playing more than one musical instrument.
In fact, in any of these cases, once you’ve learned one style / language / instrument then learning another one is easier. So if you’ve gained confidence painting with my wet-on-dry watercolour method, I think you’ll really enjoy this very special mini class I have in store for you.
Special Guest!
I’m delighted to introduce professional watercolour artist (and friend of mine since we were in school together aged 4!) Jennifer Rose, as a special guest.
In this mini class, Jennifer will demo how to paint loose roses with a blurred foliage background, using a wet-in-wet technique.
I really hope you’ll give Jennifer’s mini class a go and paint loose roses of your own. You could also use the techniques she’s shown you here to create watercolour backgrounds for your other paintings, whether the subject is in a realistic or more impressionistic style.
You might spot that Jennifer uses equipment which is different from mine. She paints using mop brushes (which carry a lot of paint), cold pressed paper (to help the paint to disperse) and a daisy-style paint palette (for mixing large quantities of watery paint). You don’t need to have these items to give this style a try though – just use what you have!
We’ll be seeing more of Jennifer when I welcome her back into the studio for more guest classes in the future, so keep an eye out.
And if you’d also like to paint roses in my realistic watercolour style, you can find mini classes here and here.
If you decide to paint loose roses with Jennifer Rose in this mini class, I’d love to hear how you get on, so let me know how it goes in the comments below. And do also drop a comment if you enjoyed the video. I love reading them!
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Thank you. This was very helpful. I tend to paint more freely, but also like detail. So, very glad to see another artist’s technique..
Your gallery has become more interesting with the introduction of your friend! Though I started realistic with your free guidance videos, I found loose florals also pretty daunting, as they became messy. Will surely try these and tag you both.
P.S. for a moment, i could not understand what happened to dear Anna? Is that another big turn on her art journey!
Do include some fun ladies banter on your collab videos!
Thank you for sharing your friend.
@mrunaliniArt
What a nice addition to the beautiful work already provided by you. I am still somewhat intimidated by watercolor and I’m looking forward to practicing more in both of your techniques. How fortunate for us that the two of you found each other and joined forces.
Thank you from Atlanta, Georgia USA.
Thank you for such a lovely message, Olivia! I’m really looking forward to helping you develop your loose watercolour techniques in Anna’s school 🙂
Thank you for Jennifer’s video. As much as I love your art, I am not sure I can handle the detailed work as a beginner. Her style looks more like what I can handle now. I didn’t think I would be afraid to start painting after my daughter gave me professional watercolours for my birthday, but so far I have just tried the colors without painting anything.
Oddly, sometimes it’s more hard to loosen up. I am a leisure watercolour (and mixed media) artist of many years. I like doing botanical art and anything to do with the natural world.. I started off being very precise and detailed, It took me a long time to adopt a much freer approach, which I now much prefer.
Might I just also add that I studied graphic design in the late ’60s, although I didn’t make my living that way. Enjoy whatever you do anyway!
So true. Picasso said “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
The thing about us artists is that we like novelty… and learning to paint in different styles is novel and exciting.
baby steps! They’ll get you there! Also, when I get anxious about starting a painting – and I do! – i tell myself that it’s not brain surgery. No one has EVER died from a bad painting. And that makes me laugh, which makes me loosen up, and then I am able to have some fun.
Hi Kathy, I’m so pleased to hear you’ll be giving the loose watercolour style a try! Relax and enjoy 🙂
This is so welcoming to me because begin a wet in wet Botanical Artist would love to loosen up that was the reason that I left the site was looking for a more looser style..
Hi Rita, I’m so pleased you’re here, and I’m really excited to be helping you develop your loose watercolour techniques 🙂
What a terrific complement to your other classes. I want to learn it all! Sometimes I want a more formal look and sometimes I want to let go. This was just perfect!
Thank you for the mini loose watercolor roses demo.
Enjoyed watching loose, as I can not yet accomplish it.
Sally Morris, wonderful submission, Jennifer. Tommorow I will pick up my brushes and give it a try.
Thank you so much, Sally! I can’t wait to see your loose watercolour roses!
So pleased to hear that people will be giving this a go 🙂
I want to paint looser too and have yet to try this tutorial of Jennifers. I find close work difficult especially the close focus kn detail it requires. I learn so much from Anna on mixing colour combinations so i welcome you both coming together. Thku.
hallo jennifer.
met jo uit limburg nederland
ik heb je weer gevonden.
wanneer kom je weer naar meersen ?