Easy Watercolor Abstract: Concentric Circles and Mark Making Tutorial

In this video tutorial, I demonstrate how to create a calming and creative watercolor sampler featuring concentric circles, inspired by the techniques in the book Creative Abstract Watercolor. Using shades of orange, red, and pink, I paint concentric circles on watercolor paper from one of my custom handmade journals. After letting the watercolor dry, I return to the piece to add interesting and dynamic mark-making details, transforming the simple circles into an abstract work of art. This relaxing exercise is perfect for any skill level and can be done on any type of paper or in a handmade journal.
*Supplies I'm using in this video:
(Some of the links are affiliate links. If you use my link, I get a small commission, which will go toward my art supplies and to support this channel! I appreciate your support!!)
Handmade Art Journal - **New class - Fabric Snippet Rolls and Clusters: Enhancing Your Art Journal
Available on my site: 2lilowls.com/p...
And Skillshare: skl.sh/3Vq9JRS
The Color Cube - sarahrenaeclar...
Creative Abstract Watercolor book - amzn.to/3zdBpSY
Ocean Paper watercolor sets: theoceanpaper....
Posca - Ultra Fine to Fine Paint Marker Pens - black: amzn.to/3ZhP4Dd
Posca - Ultra Fine to Fine Paint Marker Pens: white - amzn.to/3zmTtKm
Posca Paint Marker Medium Point (PC-5M) 29 Colors - amzn.to/3Zn1bij
*My very favorite supplies that I might mention in every video:
*You can check out Skillshare here: www.skillshare...
*Check out my Amazon Store for more goodies: www.amazon.com...
*Check out my favorite Sketchbox products here: shopsketch.com...
*Get Sketchbox Subscription: www.getsketchb...
StencilGirl Stencil Club - www.stencilgir...
Joggles Stencils: shrsl.com/4e32b
*Facebook Group for Art Peeps: / deniselovecreativecomm...
Favorite Paper:
Hahnemuhle Collection 100% Cotton Watercolor Pad - amzn.to/43mlJGA
Arches Watercolor Pad 9x12-inch - amzn.to/3PF9Jfi
12x16 Khadi Paper - amzn.to/3uOHJOG
8x8 Khadi Paper - amzn.to/3SVVKlL
Artway Indigo Journal - amzn.to/3SZngPf
Favorite Pens/pencils:
Faber-Castell Graphite Pencil Pitt Graphite Matt 14B - amzn.to/443RhB0
Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle Water-Soluble Single Pencil, 6B - amzn.to/3tmLA4h
STABILO All-STABILO -Black - amzn.to/3URofU8
Posca - Ultra Fine to Fine Paint Marker Pens Set - amzn.to/3wLmIVR
Archer & Olive - www.archerando...
Inks:
Kuretake GOLD MICA Ink - amzn.to/3oG04dt
Kuretake Gold mica Paste - amzn.to/3V2EpYZ
Kuretake Zig Gold Marker - shopsketch.com...
Favorite Paints:
Masha's Watercolors - selections vary - www.etsy.com/s...
Kuretake Watercolor Gansai Tambi 48 Color set - amzn.to/3qaThZW
Kuretake Watercolors Art Nouveau set - amzn.to/3ZWACgp
ARTEZA Acrylic Paint, Set of 60 Colors - amzn.to/3MxPKwp
Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint Set, 48 - amzn.to/3s48vAX
Liquitex Heavy Body White - amzn.to/3wCyiCz
Favorite Brushes:
Raphael SoftAqua Brushes - amzn.to/3L5Bpq7
Princeton Artist Brush Neptune, Size 4 - amzn.to/3pkXPgg
Princeton Artist Brush Neptune, Size 8 - amzn.to/3SznDRX
Princeton Umbria Filbert 8 - shrsl.com/4fxsb
Pastels and blocks:
Sennelier - Savoir-Faire Sennelier Soft Pastels Half Stick Set - amzn.to/3YpHG69
SENNELIER Latour Spray Fixative Soft Pastels - amzn.to/3Pgsd5Z
Mungyo Gallery Artists' Soft Oil Pastels Set of 72 - amzn.to/3rf0E3v
SENNELIER D'Artigny Oil Pastel Fixative - amzn.to/3X9DfMg
Caran d'Ache Classic Neocolor II Water-Soluble Pastels - amzn.to/468tdPw
STABILO 3-in-1 - Wallet of 18 - amzn.to/3RqdnLs
Misc:
Artist tape - amzn.to/3Hf6fLP
Art Sponges - amzn.to/3L9xf0k
Jack Richeson Grey Matters Paper Palette (50 Sheets), 9" x 12 - amzn.to/423Q7o2
Hardboard art panels - you see me tape things down to these and they come in several different sizes: amzn.to/3C8EK3z
Painters Color Diary - 9x12 watercolor - amzn.to/3NHFCSm
Ranger Heat It Craft Tool - amzn.to/3FVjNLn
Clear Sleeves Storage Bags - amzn.to/3R5GbIj
Zoie + Chloe Multipurpose Silicone Bowl Scraper - amzn.to/4b5iTKS
White Gesso - amzn.to/48rbhiW
Clear Gesso - amzn.to/4bH9GIO

[@TammieWardArt]

Yeah, BONUS ❤ Sunday. I really was not sure about this pallet but...oh my this turned out so pretty. Especially with the paper on the other side. This is really a lovely piece. PS, you can buy individual Ocean Paper colors. They carry all the pallet colors. That's how I started, I chose a 15 color set to see if I liked them enough to use them. Then it was on, LOL. I am making my way to owning all the colors...lol. shhhh don't tell Mr. W. 😂😅😊

[@2lilowlsstudio]

It worked out even better than I thought!! I am really enjoying these watercolors! Between those and Mashas - they are beautiful! So glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you! 🥰

[@Lainers2000]

Your secret is safe with me, as long as you don’t tell my hubby that I have 2 more packages of crafting supplies coming.😁

[@TammieWardArt]

@@Lainers2000 ROFLING, I am staring at 2 packages on my table that came in today. LOL

[@Lainers2000]

@@TammieWardArt Have fun!!! Did I mention that I already had 3 packages on my desk?

[@TammieWardArt]

@@Lainers2000 oh my, you have fun too.

[@nicolezanardi6023]

...I was thinking... GOLD...GOLD 🤭😅❤️

[@kimbranson3374]

Haha - me too 😄

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Haha! Always gold! 😁

[@kimbranson3374]

Fun and Lovely and Gorgeous 🩷🧡♥️ I have Kate’s book, of course, but watching today’s video has inspired me to give this piece a try 😁 And I enjoyed it when you shared about your pups, too 🥰 Prayers for little Suki to recover completely from her surgery 🙏🏻 Take care and happy Friday 😃

[@2lilowlsstudio]

This is a fun piece to do! I enjoyed it. We are about 2 weeks after surgery for Suki - so is doing ok. Starting to use that leg a little. 🐶 Thank you! 🥰

[@Lainers2000]

Wow! I had a 60’s-70’s flashback…almost tie-dyed. I love wonky. This page looks great against the opposing page. I read down the comments and was happy to read that Suki is recovering well. Thanks for sharing the pics of your babies…very cute (love Mia’s cute little face looking out the door). A big ol’ hug to you and your pups.🤗

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Yes! Suki is doing ok… and the hurricane is almost past me… still windy - but hopefully it is the end of it! So glad you lived this one!! Thank you! 🤗🤗🤗

[@Little_Ammy_Arts]

I can’t believe it, I also have a little dog named Sookie. She also has a bad back leg where she ruptured the tendon. But she is 14 now and just as full of life and spirit as she has ever been 🥰 I hope your little pup is recovering well from her surgery 💕 and btw you have inspired me so much with your painting tonight. And also now I want this book too! 😂 Thanks Denise. Lovely video! And I still can’t believe our dogs 🤯

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You do? Crazy! We are about 2 week out now from Suki’s surgery and she is doing ok. Starting to use that leg some! I think it must be a common thing with these little babies! 🐶

[@semmaville]

saw your photography... got teary... not what I expected.... beautiful...

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! 🥰

[@marysharp9635]

AWWWW Denise….those colours worked so well with your make making….love love love. Yes I follow kate Rebecca Leach….waiting on her book to arrive …you inspired me today to embrace wonkiness. I want to play and not sell art….i’m a giver…have a fabulous Friday, its Saturday 10am NZ time ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@2lilowlsstudio]

So glad you enjoyed it! You’ll love the book!! Thank you! 🥰

[@mariacohen5179]

Thank you thank you- such a joy to watch and enjoy, yes what a super book, totally agree, I use my journals for play, color, form, marks…looking forward to next session 🥰🤩🎨

[@2lilowlsstudio]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! 🥰

[@ByGGiPaint]

Love this!!! So much fun...Thank you for posting!! :)

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! 🥰

[@GrandJan46]

Denise it is always a pleasure watching you create with mixed media. Love your art. Going over to Skillshare now to finish watching the newest you put up in there. 🎨🖼♥ Your pups are so cute and hope the leg surgery goes well for your little one. I use to have 2 Yorkies. Such fun they are.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I love my little girls… I think we got all the breed health issues 🤪 Suki is doing ok. We are about 2 weeks after surgery and she is starting to use that leg! 🐶 Thank you! 🥰

[@UFOS4]

Beautiful! I love the colors. Denise, you are the Queen of Inspiration. My artwork has improved by listening to you and watching your work. You break all of the rules and use every art tool available, and now I am, too. Thank You!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You’re the best! That made my day. Thank you! 🥰

[@jlm517rocks]

no accident yr name speaks before you do... asking better questions is a lesson ii learned from tony robbins before he was Tony Robbins, 1985-ish, did 2 or 3 firewalks & have been literally walking out lessons you give a new voice to...keep sharing sis...you out the naysayers who suddenly have a mirror reflecting back to them their small mindedness...

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you so much! Means the world to me! 🥰🥰🥰

[@dianad6314]

Hey Denise! It's YOUR channel and you been doing such a heck of a great job, motivating and being fun to be with😂❤Don't pay any attention to those nay sayers. Just keep doing what you're doing🎉❤😊

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You're the best! Thank you! 🥰

[@dleigh4534]

Prayers for your little fur baby. Big dogs have hip problems too.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

We are 2 weeks out from surgery and she is doing ok! Starting to use that leg a little now. 🐶 Thank you! 🥰

[@sheilaschmid7768]

Ohhh yea! Love this piece so much. That row of circles inside that peachy pink circle toward the bottom reminds me of a lovely string of pearls. This book is my favorite!!! I love the outside cover, the beautiful separator papers inside, and the concept of mindfulness. Ok, so this particular piece of separator paper was distracting me today as I was pondering all the wavy lines and movement inside it, thinking of how I could incorporate those in an actual painting. Love everything about this piece! Gorgeous 💕

[@2lilowlsstudio]

It does look a bit like a string of pearls! I love these nooks too, I made a couple similar to this and think they will be some of my favorite! So glad you loved it! Thank you! 🥰

[@phillipweeks634]

I love LOVE Kate’s book! It is under the Gustav Klimt marks I was creating from a certain lil lady on Skillshare? You, Denise…lols. I sorely need a book holder for this book to be able to do her watercolor exercises. Soon? Gets back to watching you paint here. ~❤~

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I agree… Klimt is still a favorite!! So glad you loved it!! Thank you! 🥰

[@robingoff322]

I love how you did today’s page. It looks awesome! I hope Suki is recovering well.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! 🥰. We are about 2 week out now from Suki’s surgery and she is doing ok. Starting to use that leg some! I think it must be a common thing with these little babies! 🐶

[@CHARUL814]

Heeeeehuuuu. Love it. Simple and something to do when feeling out of inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing it Denise. I have just got out kuretake yellows and oranges to work with. Thank you so much for getting me out of my slumber. ❤ I am really very grateful 🙏

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You’ll enjoy making one of these! I love how it worked out. Have fun!! 🎨🎨🎨 Thank you! 🥰

[@MsMoniqueWilson]

This is so freaking pretty! Being away with no wifi for a few weeks mean I can binge your videos which makes me so happy happy happy!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Welcome back! 🎨🎨🎨 Thank you! 🥰

[@donnachristy-d1w]

Such a lovely result, Denise! I love your growth mindset way of thinking. I hope your sweet doggie recovered well from surgery and that you are all safe and snug with that awful hurricane. 🌀

[@2lilowlsstudio]

So glad you enjoyed it! We are about 2 weeks out from Suki’s surgery and she is doing ok! Starting to use that leg a bit now. 🐶. Hurricane is moving out, no damage and we kept power! Thank goodness! 🤗🤗🤗

[@bonnerdebbie]

Beautiful watercolor page, colors work perfect next to the handmade paper. Denise your puppies are adorable, I also have a Yorkie. My Quincy thinks dogs are to be ignored and all people should give him attention. lol

[@2lilowlsstudio]

My Yorkie is so funny… she is definitely the lively one in the house! 🐶🐶🐶 Thank you! 🤗

[@paulinestewart8188]

What a fun little exercise. Just what we all need sometimes for our journals. Thanks Denise.

[@2lilowlsstudio]

It really is! Thank you! 🥰

[@alineroberts]

Just what I needed for today's journal entry! Thank you, Denise. 💕

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Have fun!! 🎨🎨🎨 Thank you! 🥰

[@BlueLotusLife]

!!!!!! Thanks for the inspiration !!!!!!!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

You bet! ☺️

[@dianaclaus629]

We love you, Denise! You are so inspirational!!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! 🤗🤗🤗

[@Hugho59]

I can’t wait until you do the page in this book that is embossed or has those raised flowers, I am so hoping you use drippy ink and let it roll around the page, Thanks for another great lesson and I bought the book and followed her on Insta and said you sent me. ❤

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I just painted a couple of layouts with flowers this week and love how they turned out! Definitely coming up! I must have been in a flower mood! You’ll love the book. It has so many fun ideas! ☺️

[@kathyb5740]

Your journal is fabulous ❤!!!!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you so much! 🥰🥰🥰

[@zoekane4012]

I'm enjoying what you're doing in this book with the glorious big button enclosure and the yummy hand made paper. And today's piece compliments it's peachy textural neighbor. Go concentric circles! And, I hope Suki's knees recover quickly. TFS!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

This book is turning out so good! I have several more pages painted in it coming up… I love looking through it! Thank you! 🥰

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Suki is doing ok! We are 2 weeks out from surgery and she is starting to get around better 🤗

[@sueallen1945]

Lovely! I saw a review for a product I think you’d love. It’s Kissho Ayami ink. It’s in the standard palette format of their other paints. They are muted and absolutely GORGEOUS!

[@2lilowlsstudio]

I have some kissho in my collection I’ve had in a haul. Wonder if it is the same thing I have. I’ll have to look! Thank you! 🥰

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Looks different than the set I have! I’ve ordered some! Thank you! 🥰

[@Dulcy-Doll2736]

To quote you...Super fun! 💗

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! 🥰

[@sdmixedmediaart]

So much fun to watch❤

[@2lilowlsstudio]

Thank you! 🥰