If you've ever wondered how to paint delicate and beautiful bubbles in watercolor, I'm here to show you how to turn them into mesmerizing galaxy-inspired orbs.
In this tutorial, I'll walk you through two techniques for creating these magical bubbles, each with its unique twist.
Whether you're new to watercolor or an experienced artist, these techniques are easy to follow and will help you create something truly stunning.
So, let's dive in and learn how to paint galaxy bubbles step-by-step!
Contents
What You'll Need to Get Started
Before we start, make sure you have all your materials ready. Here's a quick list of what you'll need:
- Watercolor paper: I recommend Arches 300 gsm cold-press paper for its texture and durability.
- Brushes: A smaller and a larger brush will be perfect.
- Watercolors: You'll need several colors, like pink, blue, green, yellow, and purple.
- A palette or ceramic plate to mix your paints.
- A water container and a clean paper towel to keep your brushes clean and your workspace tidy.
- Object to create circles: You can use a compass, a small disc-shaped ornament, or a mug.
With your supplies ready, let's jump into the first technique!
Technique 1: Creating Beautiful Bubbles with Hand-drawn Circles
The first technique I'll teach you is using hand-drawn circles to create a larger bubble effect. This one will let you play with overlapping bubbles for a more dynamic and fun design.
Draw Your Circles
To start painting your galaxy bubbles, you'll need to create circles. I recommend having a few objects on hand to help you draw the perfect circle.
You can use a compass, a small disc-shaped ornament, or even a mug. The beauty of this technique is that you can play with different circle sizes.
I suggest using a variety of sizes to fill your page—just make sure some overlap. The overlapping bubbles will create a mesmerizing effect when completed!
If you're heavy-handed like me, don't worry—there's an easy solution. You can lighten your circle lines using a kneadable eraser.
This will ensure the lines are barely visible and won't interfere with your painting later.
Mixing Your Colors
Once your circles are ready, it's time to mix your colors on your palette. I'll use pink, blue, green, and a hint of yellow for this galaxy bubble effect.
But don't feel limited—feel free to experiment with different colors you love!
Blending the Edges for a Smooth Transition
Start by dipping your paintbrush in pink (or whichever color you choose) and trace around the circle's outline.
Remember, I'm jumping right into a larger circle here to make sure you can see the technique clearly, but you can always start with smaller bubbles if that feels more comfortable.
Once you've outlined the circle, dip your brush in water and blend the paint. The goal is to smooth the line and prevent any harsh, dry edges.
You want the color to blend seamlessly into the rest of the bubble. Don't let your edges dry out, as it will make blending difficult.
I recommend going back and forth with the colors—using blue on the outer edges and pink towards the center.
This technique requires a bit of speed and precision, so keep the circular shape as even as possible.
It's okay if the lines aren't perfectly smooth—this is part of the watercolor magic, and those “wibbly” edges will only add to the unique look of your bubble.
Creating That Magical Shine
As you paint, leave a small white shine line in the bubble's center. This shine will give your bubble a reflective, glossy effect, similar to the natural sheen on real bubbles.
However, be cautious, as too much water may muddle this shine. If that happens, gently blot the area with a paper towel to bring back the shine.
Now, add blue to the edges of your circle, focusing on making the outer areas darker.
The edges should have the most intense color to create a shadowed look, while the center remains lighter.
Then, mix in some greens, yellows, and even a touch of purple. This will mimic the colorful, iridescent sheen on real bubbles, similar to the oil-slick effect when light reflects off them.
Switch to a larger brush once you start working on the bigger bubbles. The larger brush will allow you to blend your paint more easily and smoothly.
Make sure your brush stays wet as you blend, and don’t be afraid to go back and add more blue to deepen the edges, while also adding more yellow and green in the middle.
This colorful combination will help achieve that shimmering, bubble-like effect.
Darkening the Edges for Depth
To create a more defined, bubble-like appearance, focus on darkening the edges of the bubble.
Use blue or purple to make the edges the darkest part of the bubble, adding depth and dimension.
The interior can stay lighter, mimicking how real bubbles look when light catches them.
If you lose your shine line during this process, don't worry! Simply use a clean paper towel to mop up any excess paint or water from the center, and you'll restore that shiny effect.
Working with Multiple Bubbles
Once your first bubble is completely dry (use a hairdryer to speed things up if needed), you can start painting over it with smaller bubbles.
The technique is the same, but now you'll be painting on top of the dry bubble, which creates the “see-through” effect bubbles naturally have.
Letting the first bubble dry completely before layering on the next one is essential.
This technique of overlapping the bubbles adds a fantastic dimension to your painting and is one of my favorite aspects of creating watercolor bubbles.
If you find the larger bubble challenging, you'll probably find the smaller bubbles easier to paint since they cover less surface area.
By following this technique, you'll see how watercolor interacts with itself, and you'll quickly get the hang of blending and layering.
If you're just starting, practice on a few smaller circles until you're confident!
Technique 2: Using a Mug to Create Watercolor Bubbles
I'll show you how to create beautiful watercolor bubbles using a mug in the second method. This technique is handy if you find it tough to keep your circles neat and even by hand.
Paint the Outside Rim of the Mug
First, grab a mug or a glass—anything with a solid outer rim will work. Dip your brush straight into your watercolor paint and start painting directly onto the outside edge of the mug.
This step might initially feel unusual, but it's a fun shortcut. You'll probably find this much easier if you've struggled to keep a steady circular shape with the first technique.
The circle might not be perfectly crisp, and the edges could look a bit wobbly. That's just the nature of watercolor, and it still creates a beautiful effect.
Stamp the Painted Rim onto the Paper
Turn the mug upside down once you've got enough paint on the rim. Find the circle you previously made with the mug and gently stamp it onto your paper.
You don't need to press too hard—just a light touch will do the trick. When you lift the mug, you'll have a lovely painted circle ready to work with.
Blend the Edges Quickly
Now comes the important part—you need to work fast! Grab your water-filled paintbrush and start blending the edges of the circle immediately.
If you wait too long, the paint will dry and leave a harsh, stubborn line that's hard to soften.
Ensure your brush has enough water, and blend out those edges quickly to get a smooth, soft look.
Adjust Based on Your Paper Type
The results of this technique can vary depending on the paper you're using. I'm working with 300 gsm cold press paper, but if you're using hot press paper, your experience might be different.
Actually, if you're using hot press paper, you might even find this method works better for you than the first technique! It depends on your style and what feels right for you as an artist.
Blend Just Like Before
From here, you'll use the same blending method I taught you earlier. Dip your brush into clean water and carefully soften the edges of your circle.
I find that using the mug helps a lot if you're struggling with maintaining that perfect round shape.
It gives a little extra guidance and can speed up the process when creating multiple watercolor bubbles.
Adding Details and Shimmer
After the bubbles are dry, I darken some of the edges. I don't outline the entire circle—just parts—to make the bubbles look more crisp and realistic.
Add Shimmer Drops Paint
I pull out my Shimmer Drops paint. This special ghost paint has a beautiful blue undertone, and I love it.
I start by applying the blue-toned ghost paint to one side of the bubble. Then, I use a pink undertoned ghost paint on the opposite side. It adds so much depth and dimension!
Feel free to skip this step if you're already happy with how your bubbles look. This part is totally optional—it's just me being extra!
Add Tiny Stars for a Galaxy Effect
This step is totally optional, but if you want to make your bubbles even more magical, you can add tiny stars. I use some white gouache to dot tiny stars across the bubbles.
It gives them a dreamy galaxy vibe, which I love. Again, you don't have to add this part unless you want to—your bubbles will still look amazing either way!
Wrapping Up
Painting galaxy bubbles with watercolor is a fun and creative process that allows you to explore different techniques and colors.
Whether you use hand-drawn circles or a mug for precision, both methods offer unique ways to create beautiful, dreamy bubbles.
Want to add a touch of magic to your next painting project? Try out these techniques and see how stunning your watercolor bubbles can be.