Future Classes (April 17 with Rhonda) The Dripping Technique

The Dripping Flower Technique - Host - Rhonda

The dripping flowers watercolor technique involves applying wet, concentrated paint to paper, often starting with wet-on-wet washes for softness, then tilting the paper or using a wet brush to encourage paint to drip and flow downwards, creating organic, whimsical petals and stems, sometimes enhanced by adding more paint or water to the drips for varied texture and bleeding effects. Key steps include wetting the paper, dropping in colors, manipulating gravity by tilting the page, and adding details like centers and leaves while wet for blending or dry for crispness. Link: https://youtu.be/uj8lrFTA2EI

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Key Steps for Dripping Flowers

This video demonstrates how to start with a wet wash and create dripping flowers:

11:52

Deb Watson

YouTube • May 1, 2023

1. Wet the Paper: Start by wetting your watercolor paper with clean water using a large, water-holding brush to create an even, wet surface.
2. Apply Color: Drop concentrated watercolor paint (pinks, purples for flowers) onto the wet areas in a "hit or miss" fashion, leaving some dry spots.
3. Encourage Drips: Tilt your paper vertically so gravity pulls the paint downwards, creating natural drips. You can also use a clean, wet brush to tap and push the paint.
4. Add More Paint/Water: While the paper is vertical and the paint is wet, add more color or clean water to the puddles to make them drip further or blend, creating varied effects.
5. Create Petals: Use the wet-on-wet technique by adding paint into wet areas or pulling concentrated color into petal shapes with a water-filled brush.
6. Add Details: Once petals form, add contrasting colors (like yellow for centers) while still wet for bleeding or wait until dry for defined edges, as shown in this video.
7. Add Stems/Leaves: Use a slightly drier brush to add stems and leaves, integrating them into wet or dry areas for depth. 

Tips for Success

• Work Quickly: Especially when forming petals, work fast so the paint doesn't dry before you can manipulate it, notes this Instagram Reel.
• Gravity is Key: Tilting the page is crucial for the "dripping" effect, as shown in this YouTube video.
• Control Bleeding: For a soft, blended look, drop color into wet areas; for harder edges, let areas dry first or paint on dry paper.
• Use a Variety of Brushes: Different brushes, like round or angle brushes, offer different textures and control, according to this YouTube tutorial.