Abstract Dots Watercolor Painting

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolors: Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Permanent Rose, Intense Blue (Phthalo Blue)
• Winsor & Newton Cotman Round Brush, Size 6 or Similar
• 9"x 12" Cold Press Watercolor Paper
• Ceramic or Plastic Watercolor Palette Well
• Container of Water
• Paper Towels

DIRECTIONS:

1. Protect your work surface with paper or plastic (recommended) and assemble supplies & tools.
2. Into first water well, squeeze out a pea-sized amount of red.
3. Into second water well, squeeze out a pea-sized amount of yellow.
4. Into third water well, squeeze out a pea-sized amount of blue.
5. The project has variations of reds, blues, greens, and purples.
6. Take a dab of red and dab of blue and mix them with the wet brush in a clean water well to create violet.
7. Take a dab of blue and a dab of yellow and mix them with a wet brush in a clean water well to create green.
8. Next, decide where on the paper the cascade of dots will begin. In this project, the dots started at the top left of the paper.
9. Dip the wet brush into one of the jewel toned colors, like the violet, and create an organic circle.
10. Then, either add some water to the violet to make it more transparent or pick a different color mix with the wet brush.
11. Using this color, create a circle that is very close to, but not yet touching, the first violet circle.
12. As the circle is formed, gently and carefully touch the brush to the first circle and let the wet watercolor bleed between the two circles.
13. Continue this process with the reds, blues, and greens. Occasionally add more water to some of the dots to create a more transparent color for variation.
14. Consider the overall composition and alternating of colors for variety and interest.
15. Each time a dot bumps up to another wet dot, the colors will bleed and blend and create a unique new color.
16. The painting will be touch dry in an hour or so.

JOANN HACKS:

• During the process, some dots will dry and not bleed as they are touched with fresh color. Just add some clean water to the dry dot to encourage bleeding/blending between the two colors.