Have you ever wanted to play with your watercolors without worrying about perfection?
That’s exactly what I do when I dive into abstract watercolor textures.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I create beautiful textures step by step using air, brushes, and some unexpected tools to shape vibrant marks and layers.
Grab your brushes, join me, and let’s explore the magic of texture together!
Contents
Step 1: Preparing Your Materials and Palette
Before diving into textures, we need to prepare our supplies and lay a strong foundation. Here’s how I like to start every abstract texture painting.
Choosing Your Palette and Colors
I always gravitate toward a limited palette. I like how fewer colors help me focus more on values and shapes instead of juggling too many hues.
For this painting, I decide to work with one of my favorite combos: blue and brown. It’s a classic pairing that I never get tired of.
I choose these colors for my palette:
- Indigo
- Burnt Umber
- Burnt Sienna
- Prussian Blue
- Yellow Ochre
With just these, I can create a full range of values. By mixing different ratios, I get light washes, rich mid-tones, and deep darks — all without overcomplicating things.
Gathering Brushes and Tools for Mark Making
Now, let’s talk about tools. Of course, I reach for my favorite brushes:
- Princeton Aqua Elite quill brush: soft, holds lots of water, and feels great.
- Bristle brush: coarse and perfect for adding scratchy textures.
- Air blower: to create splashes.
- Palette knife: to scratch into wet paint and create grooves.
Step 2: Building the First Layers with Fluid Paint and Texture
With my materials ready, I build the first soft layers. This is where I start to have fun with movement and texture.
Starting Light and Loose
I begin light. I mix burnt umber and a bit of yellow ochre and water them down well. Adding more color later is always easier, so I start light and loose.
I use my Princeton Aqua Elite quill brush for this part. It’s soft and fun to use.
Then, I mix in Indigo because that deep blue is just gorgeous. I lay the color onto my page and let it flow naturally. I let big marks form, and I don’t worry about controlling it too much.
Introducing Dry Brush and Bristle Effects
Next, I want more texture. I reach for a bristle brush. It’s coarse and great for rough textures.
I come back for more colors. Then, I add some prussian blue and dab brighter spots in a few areas.
I love how the color spreads in surprising ways. I use the bristle brush to drag more textures.
Creating Scratch Marks with a Palette Knife
I dip back into Indigo and dot some circle marks. To add more depth, I grab a palette knife. Scratching into wet paint creates grooves where the pigment collects.
I scratch small lines and even shapes that look like twigs or grass. I scratch into the colored and white areas and love how these marks add interest.
I swing back to my browns and add a stripe down the page, even letting it bleed into other areas.
I’m okay with the cauliflower textures that pop up when wet paint hits drier spots — this project is all about embracing those organic effects.
I also add some little brown marks and use the bristle brush for rougher textures.
Then I switch directions and come back with Prussian blue to add a little ground shape that wraps around. I love how it frames part of the composition.
Sometimes, I dip back into leftover paint or go straight to the palette to add extra marks wherever I think it needs them.
Before finishing this layer, I decide to add some scratches using the same blue tones. I make one here, one there—just to give the painting a playful flow.
Step 3: Using Air to Manipulate Paint and Enhance Texture
Now, we’re moving into the most exciting part: using air to manipulate the paint!
This technique is excellent for creating splashes and movement within your abstract painting, where the texture starts to shine.
Applying Darker Colors with Intent
I mix Indigo with a bit of Prussian Blue, making sure to get the paint nice and dark. I load my brush with a heavy amount of paint.
I focus on adding darker patches at the bottom of my painting.
I’m ensuring the paint is concentrated in some areas while other spots remain more open and airy. This contrast in values will help create a sense of depth in the painting.
Using an Air Blower for Splashes and Movement
Here’s the magic tool: the air blower. I use it to create splashes by directing air onto the wet paint.
This technique produces interesting, organic marks that resemble splashes or eyelash-like patterns.
The great thing about using air is that you can direct the flow in any direction, which gives the painting a sense of movement and energy.
To get the best effect, I squeeze the blower firmly to create larger splashes, but I also experiment with lighter squeezes for smaller, subtler splashes.
I love how the air makes the paint behave differently, and I can adjust the splashes to fit the direction and flow I want.
Balancing with Contrasting Colors
After creating those splashes, I mix a muted green by adding Yellow Ochre to my existing blues.
This green creates a nice contrast to the blue and brown tones, adding warmth to the cooler areas of the painting.
I use this green to make additional marks around the splashes, allowing the color to flow into the wet areas and blend naturally.
The yellow ochre adds a soft touch to the composition, and I enjoy seeing how the different colors work together to create a harmonious balance.
At this stage, I let the painting dry before moving on to the final details.
Step 4: Adding Final Details for Depth and Shine
The painting is almost finished, and it’s time to add those final touches to bring everything together.
For me, this step is all about detail, adding some highlights, and accentuating the textures I’ve created so far.
Drawing Details with a Posca Pen
I start by using a Posca pen in khaki green to draw shapes on top of the abstract background.
The shape I’ve chosen is inspired by some collage pieces I made earlier, but I’ll replicate the shape with the pen instead of using the collage.
I focus on leaves and make sure they are bold and dark so they stand out against the lighter background.
The khaki green is a nice neutral color that allows the blue to remain the dominant color but adds contrast and interest. I fill in the leaves to make them solid and impactful.
Once the leaves are filled in, I think about adding even more texture. I lightly sketch background leaves poking through by just drawing faint lines around them.
Embellishing with Gold Ink
After adding the leaves, I decide to take it a step further with some gold ink. I love how the metallic gold adds a touch of luxury and shine to the artwork.
Using a small brush, I outline the leaves with gold ink, giving them a soft shimmer.
I also add some gold dots scattered around the painting, almost like little bursts of glitter, to add texture and visual interest.
I use it sparingly because I don’t want the gold to overpower the painting. Just a few little accents here and there can completely transform your artwork.
The gold also contrasts the darker blues and greens, creating an extra layer of depth.
Reflections
Once the gold ink has dried, I take a moment to reflect on the texture and layers I’ve created.
I can see the marks from the palette knife, the splashes from the air blower, and the brushstrokes from the dry brush technique.
These elements combine to make the painting feel full of movement and energy.
I love how the piece turned out. The layers of texture, the rich colors, and the touch of gold give it life.
It’s a great reminder that with watercolor, there are no rules — just opportunities to experiment and have fun.
Final Thoughts
This process of playing with texture using air, brushes, and tools is such a fun and rewarding experience.
I hope this tutorial inspires you to try something new in your watercolor practice. Remember, abstract painting is all about experimenting and letting the paint flow.
Don’t be afraid to try different techniques and tools — the textures you create will make your art unique and full of character!