Loose Floral Watercolor Orchid

Florals make for fun, forgiving subjects. Painting them loose can be exciting and interesting and there's no better way to paint loose than with watercolor. This orchid, from a personal photo, inspired me to step outside my usual subject matter and go floral. I think I'll be doing more.
Morten Solberg site - www.mortenesolberg.com/
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Color Palette
Quinacridone Rose
Quinacridone Violet
Dioxazine Purple
Azo Green
Sap Green
Prussian Blue
Paynes Gray
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[@lindahines7294]

I subscribed during the video when I felt a connection to your watercolor ideas. Then I discovered we also share a spiritual connection. I love finding believers “out in the wild.”

[@helenechouinard3473]

I'm a former acrylic painter, trying to master watercolor, and I'm painting very tight. Very realistic. But I find great beauty in loose watercolor. I just don't know how to loosen up though. Gosh, it's hard to go againt's your... reflexes, shall I say ? I love your orchid painting, that's what makes watercolor so beautiful and unique !

[@pameladalton2457]

You make it look so easy. Your painting is beautiful!

[@LilCraftyNook]

Very high praise for your friend!! I think this is drop-dead gorgeous!! TFS

[@barbarakeyes8551]

Back in the 80's we collected Morten Solberg owls and eagle prints. The backgrounds inspired me to try watercolors 25 years later,. still working it!

[@sheilaegeland]

Absolutely gorgeous

[@OceanaFlorida]

Was looking for more loose florals like this from you, I'm sorry if I missed them. This was excellent and I learned a lot. I actually tried it. Mine was ok, I just need to use better quality paper and will from now on...lesson learned. If you don't have more like this, would you mind considering doing more loose florals like this in real time, too, please? Thank you. Even if on Patreon as I'd be willing to pay for more like this. Thank you for excellent, clear instruction and demonstration. Very respectfully and sincerely, April.

[@SB-qs9zu]

That was lovely to watch! Thanks.

[@MrsZoey]

Steve that was amazing to watch you create that without drawing it first!!!! Beautiful. I liked the part best where you painted real time speed and told us everything you were doing. Thanks

[@lindagerhard8381]

Wow, Steve! This is fabulous! I am that very controlled painter who struggles with painting loosely and this demonstration was really helpful. I love just beginning a painting with no pencil drawing, but rather beginning with the brush. I really enjoyed this one and will check out your other floral paintings.

[@isalawton6239]

Love your orchid. I do lots of flowers because as you say, they are forgiving. Thanks

[@alisonhendry2928]

Thank you again for an example of how to be loose, but still enjoy the details. Also thank you for Morton Solberg link. My mouth fell open. You are an inspiration and so enjoyable to spend breakfast with once the family are off to start their day. Please keep posting, you can see by your followers you are well loved and appreciated.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks so much Alison!

[@sorsofia]

Thank you soo much.. I had to go through a whole bunch of videos before finding my grand master.. I bow to you.. in just one evening of watching your tutorials, I have learnt tons!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks! Glad to hear you're learning.

[@danaedwardsart726]

Oh my gosh thanks for sharing Morten Solberg.... I have a new favorite artist!

[@karenhoward303]

Lovely!

[@margaretporzenheim961]

Magnificent!

[@cowboyblairehobbsarts5398]

very pretty work, love it!!!!

[@cazscot8397]

This flower painting is beautiful - you said you don't often paint flowers - well you do an amazing wonderful painting. Thanks. Caz

[@sherrywebster1675]

Thanks (again). I love your running commentaries, sharing your painting thought processes. Always fun, interesting and very helpful . I think Reece will get a nomination for his Shakespearean role too.

[@azzuparis]

This is gorgeous Steve. Thank you so much for showing this floral.

[@richardlumpkin4607]

Gotta love that Reece for his ambition! Dream big buddy.

[@pattyleib]

Goodness. I learned of Mort Solberg. Incredible. I googled him and the first thing I hit upon was him receiving a lifetime achievement award in Dubois, Wyoming. I'm a lifelong Wyomingite (63 years) and am just trembling with the thrill of seeing some of his works. I'll be doing a lot of research on him. Just incredible work. I'm truly stunned right now. Thank you for sharing this.

[@teresab1341]

WOW! Amazing Steve! TFS! I always am astounded when I watch you paint!

[@maureengarcia5478]

Loved watching you paint the orchid! I learned so much about loose/control of painting with watercolor. Thanks for sharing!

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

So beautiful 😍 !

[@Robreehl1]

Spectacular work. I am totally inspired by this work. I love painting flowers loosely. Thanks, Steve.

[@monicadewit9766]

I'm so glad you are painting orchids...my favorite!

[@Midwest0212]

Beautiful! Your painting of the orchid far outshines the snapshot.

[@jillterrell5570]

Amazing!

[@good_youtube_handle]

Love your sense of humor. Thank you for your videos. They have been immensely helpful! Hopefully we can all pay it forward and teach others about the things with which each of us are gifted.

[@martyc2328]

I love your videos! This floral video is really fun, and I love the controlled loose technique for those of us who want to paint wild and free, but have trouble breaking out of our controlled, tight-painting shells. I'll be trying to loosen up. Thanks for sharing!

[@amyybee12]

Thanks love watching you paint! Thanks also for introducing us to some other artist for inspiration as well.

[@gloriawachel917]

Amazing - gorgous

[@kimleon-guerrero9980]

Just beautiful Steve, thank you. 💞💫

[@donnabirney817]

Thanks so much for sharing!! Flowers are my favorite topic. gorgeous!!!

[@mariegamber]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful tutorial

[@gloriarapp2778]

Great talent, inspiring and gracious. Many thanks.

[@jacruick]

Fabulous! Can't wait to try your method !

[@smoigida]

Stunning results! You may not do florals often, but it's wonderful! Thanks for sharing Kathleen

[@norakaven3705]

Very nice! I like your style of controlled LOOSE. Love it!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@sherrywebster1675]

,,,and yeah I agree ...even the simplest floral paintings are beautiful when they have good design/composition. BTW (that means 'By the way' , Reese ) thank you HEAPS for all the brilliant sharing. And thank you Reese for your invaluable contributions :)

[@isabeltipple9942]

WONDERFUL AGAIN. Not only is this relaxing and instructive to watch but the music is so lovely too. Now, let me have another go at some magnolias!👍🌺

[@anastasiasholeinthehollerc8697]

So gorgeous, just lovely!

[@TheLermis]

Thank you for sharing ur awesome work.

[@davidhooper9769]

Just a big thank you for your work. 👏👏👏👏🇨🇦

[@joys4524]

Thanks again, Steve, beautiful.

[@sherrywebster1675]

Your orchid's lovely . And thanks for directring to Moreton Solberg !!! Wowee...but I am blown away by his landscapes and animals much more than the florals...I'll find my favourite loose floral painters and give you names to have a peep. ...very soon. Tell Reese not to hold his breath though..he might end up in... shhh..you know....

[@plants53]

Fabulous video and seeing you paint is awesome. Thanks.

[@kevinheller1145]

Another wonderful demonstration...All the Best!

[@silviameneses11]

I love this. Congratulations!!!!!

[@dawnreaume6003]

Absolutely beautiful! My biggest problem is patience! And I appreciate how you were able to slowly work at your flower!I Enjoyed the tip about the dark contrast in the little corner triangle areas it is priceless! It Really made the flower pop! Your loose flower came out terrific! I enjoyed watching you create it! Thank you very, very much for making these great videos!

[@artbyduck-darlenegillet1935]

I could watch you paint all day, and some days I do. I am a new artist, and I love your style and would like to emulate it. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you providing the KZbin videos, and how they inspire me. Cheers.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Glad to hear it, thanks!

[@tecpjccasey5020]

As always, love your painting. I have learned so much from you. This was beautiful.

[@Robreehl1]

This is beautiful! Do more of these, please. You make it look easy and I do love your instructions. Thank you, Steve. Happy New Year.

[@DontBeSaddrawing]

Inspiring work. So beautiful. Thanks.

[@BarbrajoanOriginals]

Very beautiful. I have that exact brush and love it..

[@joanrenner5727]

This is absolutely beautiful!!

[@milenabdesign]

Gorgeous!

[@jillplunkett5704]

Beautiful. Thank you for the demo.,

[@Ruby-wise]

Stunning...especially for someone who doesn't generally do botanicals😃

[@cherylsmyth2809]

Stunning! Love your work, and manner of teaching. I feel I am learning so much from you. Thank you for doing these workshops.

[@gee355Art]

This was really helpful - thank you. I'm trying to paint more like this at the moment and your commentary and real-time video really helped. Most videos show you how they make it but don't always explain it! Awesome!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Cool! Glad it was of help.

[@amiek9269]

So beautiful! Great work! 💝

[@downtownpearl]

just checked out morton solberg! i look at a lot of art . . but solberg's florals . . . wow!! they take my breath away. a couple nights ago i checked out erik lungren he paints like butter -probally not a good description but he had me in a trance. thank you so much for the intro to these two wonderful artists and btw your classes are the absolute best i'm learning so much. the quality of your class instruction are without challenge, the best. thank you so much!

[@judycook1918]

WOW!

[@LeaGalTan]

Beautiful! I like the look of loose watercolor but I can't stop adding details:-) You have the perfect balance of loose to details!

[@sheilarawlingson1050]

Beautiful ❤️

[@katybeadle684]

Quite beautiful!

[@isalawton6239]

Beautiful, You were talking about Morten Solberg, but also Maria Raczynska, have you check her work? She does some stunning watercolor.

[@almudenagarcia9114]

That was beautiful, thank you!

[@daysimolina3910]

Really beautiful!

[@mariapellegrino4815]

Awesome once again. Love it !! That's my kind of loose :)

[@TheBicycleLadyThings]

Thanks for the floral I loved it.

[@gingerkelly5146]

Love this exercise! Thank you!!

[@stinar37]

Fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@tamarahulaton6162]

Love this!

[@pablomiezavarela8358]

I think it's a beautiful drawing. Thank you

[@msalyssa6604]

Beautiful.

[@katwillson9709]

Nice interpretation. Enjoyed this.

[@joellest-jean3086]

vraiment génial !! merci

[@josette.greatjobjackson8705]

Great job....I enjoyed watching and you gave me good tips

[@giovanasmith5243]

Love it!

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Yes it did give me some ideas on how to do a lose painting. Thank you 😎

[@DrawingWithFire]

Great video Steve! 😆 Beautiful painting.

[@stellauno]

Gracias, son maravillosos sus videos.

[@linneakokinos4550]

Nicely done!

[@paulcollins5200]

Fabulous awe struck

[@LearnFineArt]

Paul Collins It is awesome

[@Rockymtnbloom]

wonderful, and your comments are so helpful!

[@anakarinamedinasalas3036]

Hermoso su trabajo.

[@paulaibsen6486]

Thank you MOW, as usual I learned a lot and got some new ideas!! The last month or so I have been only practicing with my new Silver Black round #12 brush. Learning to control it has taken a while and I still do not always get the water/pigment ratio correct. I think my next new brush will be a little less "soft". The upside? I have gotten better with the other (and inexpensive) brushes!

[@liart6219]

Great, always something to learn, thanks a lot:-)

[@Juhani139]

Lovely as always. It's so true what you said about design. No use just copying the reference, we have to think about what elements to leave out and move around. Watching your videos has helped me to loosen up a little more when drawing and painting. (Love the verse at the end :D )

[@mindofwatercolor]

Glad to hear it. Thats what I'm after, getting artists to look beyond the reference and see the artistic possibilities. I'm glad you picked up on that.

[@katherinesimonds622]

Really stunning :)

[@PauseCreative]

whaouh!!!!amazing, j'aime beaucoup :) Merci 👍

[@veroklassmann654]

Know I got it, what means blending an color! Thanks a lot for that. I will practice in this manner.

[@veroklassmann654]

Sorry, this comment should go to the botanical Rose workshop! But anyway, your loose painting is also worth watching it!

[@kimgloverart]

Beautiful. This piece seemed a bit loose compared to how I paint but I loved the colors you chose. They pop nicely.

[@LearnFineArt]

that's so nice

[@elsagrace3893]

I Love pink. Daniel Smith Quinacridone Pink and Rhodonite Genuine are the pinkest. Also Holbeins Opera Rose but it fades. I suppose Rhodonite Gen. Is the most lightfast. Just got it today. Need to try mixing with it.

[@debbiesagan4339]

I really enjoyed this particular painting session. Watching you preserve the white edges helped me see how to do that. I grow Orchids and if you would like I have some fantastic photographs I would like to share with you.

[@lisadroze7572]

Debbie Sagan Hi Debbie, I love orchids too💕 If your ever sharing photos? I'd love to see them? I have Beautiful garden flowers locked in a computer I'm trying to rescue...lol! But I also have some beautiful photos of our birds & our ducorps cockatoo to share if interested? Blessings, Lisa Drozé

[@ivonalivalot4035]

Lisa Droze I am new to watercolor and alcohol ink. I'm looking for for subject challenges... If you don't mind me using your photos for reference, please send me some to [e-mail]... Thank you!

[@AmyGiglio7683]

First of all I must say that I learned so much from this video! You really break it down and explain the loose technique. Two questions: 1) Would it be possible for you do more loose style paintings using the quill brush? And 2) Perhaps you could explain a bit more about how to use this type of brush/ what it is meant for. It is completely new to me, so I ordered one and it behaves very differently from my Black Velvet round brushes. I have been trying to master loose watercolor florals and you have been a great help to me. Thank you much!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, I will do more loose work videos with the quill. It definitely is a different animal than a standard round. Quills are also sometimes called mops. Traditionally they are made of squirrel hair which is limp but holds a lot of water. Now days there are also synthetic versions but they are still designed for the same purposes. Its primarily used for very wet and even sort of sloppy painting techniques. Not as suitable for painting small areas with less watery washes and constant color changes. Good for wet sketching or filling large or numerous areas with a single color wash. This sketching video is another good use for quills. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4nUY4xthrCrfdU

[@AmyGiglio7683]

That was fast! Thank you! :)