How to Watercolor Paint a Loose Sunflower + Don't take 20 years to learn this essential skill!

In this tutorial I'll share a watercolor painting epiphany my beginners will love, plus four special effects you can use to create a beautiful aesthetic loose splashy sunflower watercolor painting with. Thank you ‪@ShaydaCampbell‬ for helping make this discovery possible btw! I'll discuss brusho, splattering, cauliflowers, spray bottles, and how to not overwork your painting and more so you can capture a loose vibrant style.
Hi! My name is Rachel Parker Varner and welcome to my KZbin channel. Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @rachelparkervarner
If you're interested in learning from me more closely, join me on Patreon at / rachelsstudio or buy individual tutorials at www.rachelsstudio.com/watercolortutorials or join my KZbin membership! Please don't hesitate to ask me if there is something you want that you can't find!
Join my community of watercolor artists on fb at / rachelswatercolorworkshop to share your work, get feedback about your paintings and enjoy seeing others' art too!
Full Length, Patreon Style Black Cat Tutorial with Traceable, Free to the Public! -
• How to Paint a Wet in ...
***************Free Stuff***************
Full Length, Patreon Style Black Cat watercolor painting Tutorial with Traceable, Free to the Public!
• How to Paint a Wet in ...
For free downloads, visit these pages, join as a member for free, and then access get access to…
www.rachelsstudio.com/pumpkins
www.rachelsstudio.com/santa
www.rachelsstudio.com/houdini
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My favorite supplies(contain affiliate links and I make a small commission when you purchase something):
Paint Puck - bit.ly/3ktdbcl
PAPER
140 lb Cold Press Arches Watercolor Paper - bit.ly/38CA8r8
Fluid Cold Press Watercolor Paper - (Cheaper Option for paper) - bit.ly/39wUVwN
PAINT
M Graham Napthol Red - bit.ly/3OPm667
Winsor & Newton Colors... - Burnt Sienna - Cobalt Blue - Ultramarine Blue - Winsor Violet - Green Gold - bit.ly/3LvzJFb
Daniel Smith Colors: -DS Lamp Black - DS Holbein Aureolin - Daniel Smith Permanent Green Light - bit.ly/3y3FqGF
Wisp brush set - amzn.to/2MMbw4A
Silver black velvet brushes - I bought the set of three with the 3/4 oval.
bit.ly/3F00wHi
Asian Sumi Hake Brush Set - bit.ly/3OMIWv3
Scrubber Brushes- bit.ly/3rXGt7h
Princeton Velvetouch Size 4 Long Round - bit.ly/3s1BWRl
Winsor & Newton Masking Fluid - bit.ly/3vWq8Rk
Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen in Black bit.ly/3vtHrKw
White Gel Pen- bit.ly/3s4lfol
I've also been using Holbein Soft Tape from Holbein. I have found if I leave this tape on my paper too long, it leave sticky residue. Otherwise, I LOVE it! bit.ly/3OMGJ2J
Elmer's Foam Board -. bit.ly/3F9v0qv
Pallette - bit.ly/3F0DGzk
Dot or Splat Spray Bottles -Stampendous has one at bit.ly/3MFyWlj but I haven't tried that one yet. www.artacademy... You have to scroll down and look for 'dot bottles'
everettswaterc... also has dot spray bottles. I think I like these a LITTLE better than the Tom Lynch ones.
Makeup Organizer I use to store art supplies - amzn.to/3cnam9D
Storage Bench for Art Supplies - amzn.to/32IJCdU
Gel Floor Mat amzn.to/3wyIF5X
5 inch Squeegee - amzn.to/2RjVzEE
Credit Card sized squeegee - amzn.to/3uvV88w
Samsung Galaxy - I use a Galaxy to film most of my videos! amzn.to/2IBXL5Y
SanDisk Storage for all my footage! amzn.to/3tZUYpe
Epson Surecolor P900 Printer - amzn.to/2UoSvFs
Epson Velvet Paper - (paper I use for prints) amzn.to/2K3eNKV
rachelsstudio.com
rachelsstudiodotcom (friend me! This is where I post the most)
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Instagram at rachelsstudiodotcom

[@cheralsquyresArt]

Hey girl!! I love your art!! I’ve started out with oil, then acrylic, then soft pastel. I’ve painted for over 30 yrs. Now my health isn’t the greatest and I paint watercolor in my recliner!! Thank you for taking the time to share! Your the greatest! You could be a fast friend. Blessings, and know you have blessed me! Cheral

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much!

[@violinamore1927]

A quite similar effect as with the brusho you can have with the residue of a sharpened watercolor pencil. Also nice and fun to see.

[@victoriousvalentine9779]

@ViolinAmore - exactly. Inktense pencils and crayons produce an even more intense result - close to the intensity of Brushos.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm going to try that for another hack video, thank you!

[@annewatman677]

I have some pastel sticks an artist friend gave to me as a gift. They work with water, and I’m now wondering what effects I might be able to get with them.

[@Ceares]

oh nice tip! I have a ton of watercolor pencils. Can't wait to try this.

[@BB-nz5sk]

You have such a great personality. You seem so down to earth. I am sure a lot of your followers feel like they have a friend teaching them watercolor! Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us!

[@rachelparkervarner]

That is so kind - thank you!

[@thedisconnectedwife4165]

You may already know this one, but I watch another artist on KZbin Karen Rice, takes an emery board to the tip of a water color pencil. Kind of the same thing as brusho, but doesn't go quite as crazy.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yes, I am so trying this!

[@elainek1234]

I love this sunflower you did! Thank you for teaching us these tips and tricks.💖

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure : )

[@barbaramilbradt2188]

Lol, a little kitty poo never killed anybody.

[@debralynrosenbachart]

Oh my gosh! You’re awesome, so real and hilarious…my kind of artist!!

[@lauraholland5315]

Gorgeous

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you Laura!

[@LINCONANT-so5uk]

so fun to see all the little tips done in shorts because it is easy to take notes of try it right now. THANKS

[@rachelparkervarner]

You are so welcome!

[@ladennastanley6259]

Thanks for great ideas, lovely!❤

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure!

[@annettefournier9655]

I've been having trouble with Arches and changed two years ago because of sizing issues. I mentioned this to a few people and they said yeah me too! Changed and am much happier.

[@DavZell]

What did you change to?

[@rachelparkervarner]

For this video I tried Fabriano Artistico and really liked it.

[@rowenawhiteford1928]

Also have noticed a change in Arches. Bought some sheets of rough pressed...felt it was going to damage my brush...and the paint didn' t look nice on it. Have changed to Saunders Waterford and Fabriano Artístico

[@rachelparkervarner]

@@rowenawhiteford1928 I am really enjoying Fabriano Artistico and just ordered several big sheets

[@jennw6809]

I'm really enjoying Winsor and Newton, it doesn't buckle like Arches and Fabriano both do for me. The other night I tried to stretch a piece of Fabriano and it didn't work... tried again and it didn't work again!!! It just dried buckled anyway.

[@SteviePaints]

Nice video! Thank you, Rachel.

[@rachelparkervarner]

You are so welcome!

[@aprilbrown8081]

Now I have a use for all the brusho powders I impulsively bought!

[@susanshirley7846]

This is the prettiest sunflower I've seen as a painting! Beautiful!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you so much 😊

[@teresajordao6634]

This was so very interesting! Thanks for this excellent video!

[@lovdolls]

You are a lot of fun and very relaxed in presentation and painting. I'm just a senior beginner and have today been looking at sunflower tutorials to see if I could manage one. Thank you.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Just have fun with it and try many times!

[@LindaSmithLatimer]

One of my most favorite paintings and the bloopers are so funny. ❤️

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you! Coming from you, who does amazing flowers, that's such a compliment!

[@aliciashackley5830]

Hahaha. Oh Rachel, you are adorable!And lovely for sharing your knowledge of watercolor. Thx very much. 🥰 hahaha

[@rachelparkervarner]

Have a good weekend Alicia and thank you for taking the time to comment!

[@robinmoulyn3327]

I LOVE QOR!!!! so great

[@rachelparkervarner]

It really does explode on the paper!

[@verwilliams1]

Michelle is such a good teacher

[@rachelparkervarner]

She is!

[@chantalrochon3566]

Great exercise! Always love to watch your videos.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@WardStroud]

Thanks for the shout out! Go Rachel:)

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you for being awesome! Make more videos!

[@sarah4264]

This is the first video Ive seen of yours and I'm hooked. I too love Fabriano paper. I bought a 10. full sized sheet pack at an estate sale for $10. I also find Shayda's "perfectly imperfect" works for me.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Oooooh lucky find re the paper!!

[@annewatman677]

I started watching you because I enjoyed your “hacks,” AND I thought you were funny (I still do)! But, you’re also a talented artist and good instructor. I got started (again) with watercolors this winter and early spring because I keep telling myself I’m going to “master” it. I’m actually not too bad, but I certainly have a lot to learn. I’ve mentioned before that my husband and I have horses (I had an appaloosa when I was growing up-sweet horse). Summer is busy, so a lot ends up not happening artistically, but I’m so glad I’ve found you. I’ll keep watching and painting as I get time, and this winter I’ll be back into it! Thanks for making watercolor fun!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I love hearing this - and welcome to my channel : ) I used to own horses, and each one had appaloosa markings. I just did two paintings with my online students of appaloosas in fact - one was a foal and just ADORABLE. You can see a picture at www.rachelsstudio.com/patreonindex - that is a page that shows all the tutorials I've done, and if you scroll towards the bottom, you'll see the appy. They are fun but stubborn horses : ) I miss having them in my life!

[@Lyddiebits]

Your ah-ha moment!! My husband says, his dad would tell him, "know when to step away son" and really, this applies to a lot of things in life! From texturing walls, to relationships, to our pottery, and certainly, H20 color!! My sister taught me to paint a sunset/mountain/bird H20 painting. That was 2 weeks ago. Last week, I painted 4 things...and only one was the one she taught me. I'm really enjoying H20 colors and I liked your entertaining and educational video! New Sub💜

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you for sharing a little about your exciting new journey - it's a fun one (and sometimes frustrating) I hope to hear from you again! It's so true you have to know when to step away, or just plain start over!

[@rosemarycarley2948]

thanks forthe instruction

[@rachelparkervarner]

You're welcome!

[@EnjoyDrawingwithMary]

Thank you for sharing this with us 👏🤗🌸🖌️🎨 I agree for not overworking the painting but that needs practice 😄 have a great weekend! Marija 💗🤗

[@EnjoyDrawingwithMary]

Oh, and I love your bloopers!! 😂😂

[@rachelparkervarner]

I hope you had a good weekend too!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you!

[@judybreedlove5348]

Well, I just had the most fun playing with paint. I even put in a stalk and leaves....not too sure if they are anatomically correct; but, I had fun. My QOR set is very small and does not have Cadmium Yellow, so I just used Daniel Smith. My Brusho set had Dark Brown and it came out looking pretty good. I poke a hole in the top of the Brusho can and just shake gently instead of using a dry brush. I know I'll still find little tiny Brusho crumbs. I'll have to use a vacuum to find them...LOL. As soon as this is dry enough, I'll post it.

[@rachelparkervarner]

I can't wait to see!

[@karenjames5063]

Brusho is so much fun to use. Great tips.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you! I can't wait to play with it more

[@DimpyKansal]

Great tips. Thanks for sharing.

[@rachelparkervarner]

My pleasure!

[@LauraS13]

So cute ..thank you

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you too!

[@weebobart]

Great work and great tricks. Maybe get into water colours at some point. Sunflower looks great! Have a great weekend.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you! Enjoy your weekend Bob : )

[@suzy7301]

So that's what happened to Arches!! I was wondering!

[@lynneamattson6043]

If you take a push pin and push it into the cap you can shake out the brusho

[@barbaramilbradt2188]

That really was awesome!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you! It was a fun painting to do

[@kathryncurry2662]

Omg, I’m so excited because I just ordered my first set of Brusho because of Ward Stroud! Now it just needs to arrive! 😂 Thanks for these tips and love the bloopers! 💩

[@rachelparkervarner]

Yay! Did you see his dragonfly?!

[@kathryncurry2662]

@@rachelparkervarner Yes, I’ve seen them all, I cannot wait to try the sea turtle! That’s my favorite.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Be sure to tell him you discovered him from my video!

[@kathryncurry2662]

@@rachelparkervarner unfortunately, I’ve already been following him and on his FB page too.

[@pippyshortstocking9739]

Regarding the dot bottles, Tom Lynch sells them.

[@JeanneK930]

Thanks for great tips!

[@rachelparkervarner]

You are so welcome!

[@reniacreates]

So beautiful painting very big like. Done new friend here and stay connected and have a wonderful day 💖💓❤️😊👍

[@barbiemathis1605]

I LOVE this!!!

[@barbiemathis1605]

I like Fabriano best, too.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you friend!

[@carollangman1163]

Just found you and subscribed. ..i love Shada too 🌻from England

[@rachelparkervarner]

Greetings to you in England : )

[@kathytincler2446]

This says it's for beginners but sadly not me....a real beginner. Today I'm going to take brush in hand and try my 1st cloud. I do not know what you meant by many things you mentioned. Maybe if ever I should reach an advanced stage (we'll see about that!) I will come back here knowing a little more and it will be helpful. Tfs :)

[@rachelparkervarner]

Aw, I would love hear more from you! What kinds of videos would you like? I WANT to make beginner friendly videos! I made a watercolor basics playlist at kzbin.info/aero/PLk8QfRJaMFF2GmPlBBVxrvF6b4FFAqCy4

[@kathytincler2446]

@@rachelparkervarner Thanks you. I will check out your watercolor basics playlist :)

[@shoshirlb1165]

You’re awesome! :)

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thank you Shoshi : )

[@annaisabeljordan1294]

Thank you so much

[@rachelparkervarner]

You're most welcome!

[@annaisabeljordan1294]

Thank you

[@rachelparkervarner]

You're welcome

[@EmergeVS]

Your personality is sooo mee

[@rachelparkervarner]

You must be a wonderful person ; )

[@britbrat4559]

Tim holtz also sells a water bottle that performs the dot technique. You can fill it with any color so i think its more versatile in my opinion. Also do you have anymore of that flawed arches paper because i think it will be super helpful to show us what to look out for when you have sizing issues ?? Thank you!!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I made a video about bad sizing at kzbin.info/www/bejne/p33On5atgJycqs0

[@jenneke9763]

Fun!

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm procrastinating finishing the stem - I don't want to mess it up lol

[@lauraholland5315]

Ore paintings using Brusho please

[@rachelparkervarner]

You're right, I need to play with it more!

[@NicoleRoy-Artist]

I loved this so much , my sweet friend!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Aw, I do wish we could get together over a glass of wine! Thank you for watching my ads. You MUST really love me! 💗

[@NicoleRoy-Artist]

Me too!!!...I wish.... I managed to watch 2 of your awesome videos today...hopefully I will put a few on over the weekend as I work on a commisson portrait....and yes...YES...I do love you, my beautiful talented friend!!! XOXO

[@michelejackson4873]

Thanks for the great video! Any chance you could add a link in your supplies list to the spray bottle(s)?

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm out of town but I will soon. Or Google tomlynch.com and he has links to his and "Artist and teacher of watercolor" everettswatercolors.com are two

[@cherylladd24]

Hi Rachel, i love your content! Have you ever tried Preval bottles? They are well known for spattering. They are meant to atomize but get clogged then they are perfect for spattering.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Oooooh ANOTHER thing I MUST try. Talk to you later, I'm off to google Preval bottles, thank you SO MUCH for the tip!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Oh yeah, just bought one, thanks again!!!

[@cherylladd24]

No worries! I’m a scenic artist by trade but new to watercolour, i took a class at OCAD. I watched Carol Carter’s puppy project webinar. We have a black cat too, he’s short hair but I’m looking forward to painting him. Thanks for all your videos, I’m learning a lot from them.

[@caroltribou3408]

Regarding your AHA moment, how do you build form when you get in and out after one brushstroke? Or won't it look flat without layering? Thanks! Love your tips!

[@rachelparkervarner]

It is ok to layer glazes over previous dried layers. It's just you don't want to dab dab dab one stroke or area to death.

[@KathyBath]

What a great video. I love the watercolor spray bottles. How do you get the watercolor into the bottles at the right thickness? Or is it ink or something else?

[@rachelparkervarner]

It's watercolor paint. I put about an inch long squeeze in about an inch high of water or so.

[@mariavictoriagarcia9164]

Hi! Where can l get they brushos set ?

[@rachelparkervarner]

I got mine on Amazon

[@kirstynewbery8012]

Thank you Rachel, such good tips. Interesting about the Arches paper, when did this happen? I have a couple of blocks still but they're about 1 year old. Hopefully they're still the good ones?

[@rachelparkervarner]

It's been a few years. I haven't noticed the problem until now though! Some of my paper is fine. Some isn't : (

[@kirstynewbery8012]

@@rachelparkervarner I noticed on Amazon that they're calling it Canson Arches note

[@rachelparkervarner]

@@kirstynewbery8012 Oh interesting!

[@morgenmachen2400]

Hi! A few things ; ( this is kind of a long one, I'm sorry!) so I checked the comments, description box and Shaydas videos but I can't find the upload referenced. Is there anyone who wouldn't mind linking me? Absolutely adore this sunflower and the berries demo done with the clean water highlights. Each is so gorgeous 💜 I do force an occasional back run- what would be the difference between an intentional back run and this technique? Thanks in advance, everyone.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Of course! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYvWqpiZZZtnmcU @ShaydaCampbell

[@BB-nz5sk]

I wonder if we could make a Brusho type product with mica powder mixed with powdered gum arabic. I may have to give it a try. By the way....thank you for the 411 on Arches being bought out. Sad that quality ALWAYS seems to decline when a company is bought out by a larger company. I am glad I heard this from you before I invested in more Arches. I have been buying pads every so often - but waiting to use them until I feel like my abilities are worthy of Arches. I will stop buying Arches! #savingmoney

[@rachelparkervarner]

I've had several people say they make a brusho type effect by shaving watercolor pencils onto their wet paper!

[@Roslyngal]

I thought Brusho wasn’t lightfast? It’d be a shame for your terrific sunflower to fade or change colour! Love the dynamism though.

[@rachelparkervarner]

This was just a play painting. Thank you for watching!

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

I think the “push technique “ is just forcing blooms or cauliflowers.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Basically

[@victoriousvalentine9779]

I’m traumatised - a poop smear? I didn’t know there was such a thing. I think I need counselling!

[@rachelparkervarner]

Poop smears x2

[@lisamessina5952]

@@rachelparkervarner my pugs and bulldog used to leave what i called "the butt stamp". so gross, perfect outline lol.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Heehee charming. His own kind of art

[@petalpusher]

we had "skid marks"

[@rachelparkervarner]

@@petalpusher ah yes, that's another favorite thing my cat does to torture me, drag her poop butt across an entire floor. Because I need to have more to clean.

[@evangelinepoe8952]

Who bought out Arches?

[@rachelparkervarner]

Arches is currently owned by Ahlstrom-Munksjo and this partnership would give Munksjo access to ColArt's worldwide network of distribution. Ahlstrom-Munksjo makes a variety of fiber based products- wallcoverings, tape backings, beverage and food packaging, fine art papers, and even electrotechnical papers.

[@susanshirley7846]

Doesn't your cat job no up in the middle of your paintings? Mine like to be the CENTER of MY attention! 🐈Love cats have 4. I had 5 ones missing 😭my emerald green eyed SIBERIAN beauty! Heard one gunshot next door...😲😭🐈I'm trying to learn to watercolor love to watch you paint. I must buy some decent brushes, have paint already....😊

[@susanshirley7846]

I meant...doesn't your cat jump up on top of your paintings?

[@rachelparkervarner]

She did love to be the center of attention and it was like she knew when I turned the camera on. I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty that's terrible!

[@rachelparkervarner]

She's actually pretty good about not doing that!

[@SteviePaints]

Something is wrong with the sound at about 6:15.

[@rachelparkervarner]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@63Calypso]

Unfortunately, you are showing not the WHOLE painting, which would be very sensible...its just about ADVERTISEMENT......sad......

[@rachelparkervarner]

I'm sorry you don't find value in my free content. Luckily based on feedback from most viewers I get the impression my content is quite helpful. My paid content allows me to give away A LOT of free knowledge.