Simple Watercolour Background Tutorial Using Just 4 Colours!

[@ritaharker8792]

This style is gorgeous, the background really projects the subject forwards. I’ve had a go at the background on its own and it really is surprisingly easy but oh so effective! Thank you Karen for showing us how x

[@rosemarykreltszheim8731]

!

[@blessingindesign3412]

What camera is used for shooting your beautiful work.

[@mikelkirby2791]

Thank you for sharing your Bokeh background technique, especially lifting with the circle template of varying sizes. I have used this technique but chose square and triangle templates because the main object of that painting had sharper. angular edges. The background does make your bird pop!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much for sharing! Really pleased you like the background

[@cindycreateforlife]

Gorgeous painting and you are so encouraging and inspiring!💕 from 🇨🇦

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Cindy 😊

[@PKMarston]

Love this style very beautiful background and bird!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Glad you enjoyed this tutorial 😀

[@rialarasati9564]

I really enjoy the process...I will try to follow your technique...thank you for the tutorial!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@DottieStanley]

This tutorial has convinced me that I need to try the Bokeh technique on a wedding bouquet painting and a fall leaf and berry painting! So excited to get started on those for friends! Thank you for sharing your wonderful skills!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Wonderful!

[@jeleavitt]

The effect is quite striking and Iplan to play with it. What I really love though is your branchC! It is gorgeous.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much!

[@joanastley6334]

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS TUTORIAL... I JUST BOUGHT A FEW NEW PAINTS AND DUG MY BRUSHES NEED A FEW THINGS BUT RARING TO GO THANK YOU.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Wonderful! Have fun Joan 😊

[@gloriawellington1444]

Thank you for sharing. I've been looking for how to create this technique for a painting I'm working on. I see it's a lot easier than my mind had it. lol. Thank you.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@estelbaldo]

Muchas gracias por darte y por ofrecer tus conocimientos.

[@glorialacoma9735]

Beautiful Karen!!!!!!! Thanks from Spain.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much!

[@beccogiallo]

Beautiful painting and informational demo. Thank you.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you too!

[@arlenemoore5699]

The music is beautiful as well. Thank you for sharing your talent ❤ Arlene 17:22

[@senthilkumarpolitician8163]

Hi... very nice painting...! Your working explaining is very super. Very clear understanding your speach. Thanks.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@senthilkumarpolitician8163]

@@KarenRiceArt what is using color and paper company name pls..?

[@patriciadupuis9857]

Yours have got to be the best learning tutorials, not just for new techniques and tools, but for how to use them effectively. The bokeh technique is particularly useful for background softness and light but using Brusho on the branches is a great idea for texture. So much to love about this pretty tutorial. It's a must do!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Wow, thank you Patricia for your lovely comment! So pleased you like the techniques and on how to use them. Bokeh is so much fun and painting the textures on the branches 😀

[@EliLoveGems]

Love these out of focus effect ❤

[@isabelrodriguez6717]

Precioso! Tan delicado y sencillo y, a la vez, tan rico tanto en color como en textura! Me encanta! Una belleza!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much Isabel 😊

[@deannelemire9681]

Such a good tip.-using a paper clip. I use a straight pen but it does dig into the paper. I love your painting and your clear, concise instructions. Many Thanks.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you!

[@donnabirney817]

loved this new technique!!! Thanks so much for teaching us!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@terrikarman6878]

Wow!! That background technique is so cool!!

[@patlizgailer681]

Such a great tutorial. Thank you!!!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@poliwilliams6138]

I just start watching your videos, and I am telling you I have been learning a lot!!! thank you Karen you are the best tutor

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Pili! So pleased you are enjoying the tutorials 😊

[@lyndamitton4496]

Absolutely fantastic! You are a fantastic artist and a wonderful teacher!

[@susanthomas8274]

LOVE the effect using the stencil! Brilliant!!!😃

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@alicapendleton4054]

This is lovely !!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Alicia 😊

[@arceliageraldinagutierreza731]

You are a fantastic painter, I loved your work.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@alison-b1v]

Thank you for sharing this technique! Will try and use it on my next painting!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You’re so welcome. Happy painting 🎨😊

[@artonthecreek]

Best explanation of bokeh I’ve ever seen! Thank you, Karen I am inspired!!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Wow, thank you!

[@adelabasso62]

Absolutely beautiful! 😍

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@marytesta3003]

I have heard the term bokeh and wondered how it's done. It's sp pretty. Your explanation and demonstration is perfect. The technique has a dreamy feel. Love it. Thank you for sharing your techniques. I'm new to WC and not an artist so your tutorials inspire me.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much! So pleased you like the tutorial and painting and find them inspiring! Yay!

[@leon9707]

So inspiring. Thanks 😊❤

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@sherizapara2992]

Love the bird, great painting, thankyiu!!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lefthandstory1280]

Great sharing friend,beautiful content☺️✌️very nice☺️

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@gooisiewling4431]

Love your style of painting from Malaysia

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@bartha4art]

Wonderful and tricky, Love this!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@lynnemcguire7804]

Absolutely stunning

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much!

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Love the paper clip idea and the brusho on branch

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Kelly!

[@ip06460]

Thanks!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@danielleleclaire9974]

The bird is absolutly wonderfull ! And the treatment of the background is a fantastic idea, the trunks look So natural. Plenty of ideas of painting,thank you so much, Karen.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Danielle, so pleased you enjoyed this one! I love this Bokeh style of painting! 😀

[@Misses_C]

I love your bokeh technique. Beautiful!!!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😊 If you would like to access more exclusive and in-depth tutorials why not think about joining my Patreon membership. www.patreon.com/karenriceart

[@ang2887]

💥Absolutely stunning! Many thanks for sharing your fabulous technique with us, Karen 🤩

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much 😊

[@sueking3870]

Thank you, I needed to rescue a watercolour background I had painted too heavily around a pencil drawing. Your bokeh method has really helped.

[@KarenRiceArt]

I’m so glad it was helpful!

[@karenk490]

You are so talented and fun to watch! Thank you for providing us your instructions and ideas!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much!

[@Thunderbird68-i2f]

Gorgeous!

[@sandraneale128]

Wow! So beautiful. Thank you❤️🦋

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@sanazrafi2707]

Amazing Karen. Thanks for sharing these wonderful techniques with us. I appreciate

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@eliagron8750]

Loved the background. Thank you for sharing.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@seemakapoor4894]

Lovely Karen loved the background

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you!

[@rebeccawong1]

Magical 🥰

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you!

[@dianaguzman7737]

That's beautiful!!!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@akhilaak3785]

Beautiful

[@glowycloey]

Didn't think about a paper clip for masking fluid! Ty.

[@philipdown3147]

Greatful Karen calmingly how you achieve amazing effect using the Bokeh technique as before, enjoyable and inspirational tutorial again, greatly appreciated stay safe and healthy

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Philip! This technique for backgrounds is so much fun to do and so easy!!! 😀

[@vickigower8125]

I love this and can't wait to try it. I just love birds and I think I could actually maybe accomplish this. Between the way you have done your background and the use of scraping and brusho, lifting etc it looks like it will be a fun adventure. Thanks Karen. I love your work.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much Vicki! I hope you enjoy painting this one!

[@elenaborowski2520]

Lovely ideas . Thank you for sharing.

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome 😊

[@wendypan5394]

Thank you so much for teaching the technics.You always use some "special tools" to have special amazing result, they were so inspired my drawing. I am so so happy to learned a new one! Appreciated,🌹❤️

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you very much!

[@pattydearden3000]

I tried your background technique!! Love it!

[@KarenRiceArt]

So pleased to hear it worked for you. Thank you 😊

[@nostalgicnelly76]

This is gorgeous! I’m going to try this and if it’s a success will give it to my friend for their birthday! 😬

[@KarenRiceArt]

Great to hear - thank you 😊

[@danielluis7371]

Beautiful background technique!!! Bokkeh effect 👍🏾

[@KarenRiceArt]

Yes! Thank you Daniel 😊

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

Really lovely technique. And I love your use of simple home items like paper clips and salt! I'm inspired to try.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@annahitajasavala5854]

Thank you for the detailed tutorial for creating a bokeh technique background 😃

[@katherinewinfree7831]

What a fabulous painting! It's such fun to see you paint and learn how you achieve such beautiful effects with your yummy techniques! Thank you for a great tutorial!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much Katherine! I love them!! 😀

[@cherylbrewer1218]

Thank you Karen for a lovely tutorial 😊

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks for watching!

[@magical571]

the tree looked the best at 9:55, but hey it happens with watercolor, you can't go back. Nice background.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you!

[@angelashaw5731]

Wow - so beautiful!🦋

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@jeankellner4314]

That is truly amazing! I didn't have a clue as to how you could get that bokeh look with a watercolor. Actually, I enjoyed watching and learning from all the technics you used. Thanks for this lesson. Looks beautiful!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Jean! It is such a cool technique to use for watercolour backgrounds! So glad you liked it!

[@IMMA383]

So beautiful !!. Thank you Karen.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much!

[@johnporter9247]

So glad to see this demonstration! Have pondered how to achieve the blurry effect...thanks so much.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you John!

[@chrischurchley7003]

Your best background yet - it definitely works best keeping colour in the circles and not making them too white (that was definitely my learning). The texture on the branches is amazing and your bird is lovely. Thank you so much - hope to see more bokeh for sure 🙏🤞😁

[@KarenRiceArt]

Oh thank you Chris, so nice of you to say! I totally agree about making the circles different shades is so much more effective! So pleased you like the textures on the branches!

[@2moneyhoney]

Lovely technique 👌

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@allisonjames2923]

Absolutely mesmerising. I love watching your videos. Thank you 😊 Love seeing you incorporate the random magic of Brushos too. I really struggle with trying to loosen up & Brushos don’t give you much choice, so I’m trying to incorporate them more

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much Allison! So pleased you are enjoying the tutorials! Brusho is a very loose amazing medium and really can help you to loosen up! 😀

[@katherineclock7782]

Absolutely LOVE this technique! The project flow and music is just amazing. Thank you - I feel really inspired!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Yay, thank you!

[@barbarabarry309]

Love this way of making a background! Have my stencil ready❤️👍🏻. Thank you!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Barbara! Have fun!

[@crystalheart9]

What a magical painting! Thank you so much for this beautiful tutorial in real time and especially how to do a background with bokeh. I thought you were going to paint circles with gouache. The lifting was so much more effective.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@crystalheart9]

@@KarenRiceArt You are welcome and thank you.

[@evahagemeyer9142]

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@MsBuster74]

I love this technique and will try soon.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Have fun!

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Karen. I will have to try this background. It's lovely and soft! 💜

[@KarenRiceArt]

Have fun!

[@katharinebirkett1016]

What a wonderful birdie, and as always, great colors and composition. Thank you for the tip not to lift color with good brushes. So practical. I'm pretty sure I've damaged a few brushes exactly that way. What do you suggest looking for in a lifting brush? Would love to know what you actually use for that when a sponge won't do.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks Katharine... you could use a hog hair or bristle brush.

[@judithchaparro3336]

woooow, amazing!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@avaliveradio]

Are your technique for the background is so much easier than all of the different masking fluid lengthy styles that I have watched

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you!

[@franceduchesneau8561]

Just Wow! 👌🏻✨

[@madmax7201]

Those hands magic. Magic Wand comes after.

[@KarenRiceArt]

😂

[@sbowenful]

BEAUTIFUL! I'm definitely going to try this! I also do photography and love a lot of bokeh in my photos. Just Magical! Thank You!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome! Thanks Sheila! Have fun!

[@jilld8787]

Super cool! 😎🎉🥰

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 🤗

[@connietreadway9460]

Absolutely love this style. Your video was my morning art meditation. Very relaxing. 😍

[@KarenRiceArt]

I'm so glad! Thanks Connie 😀

[@suerittmeyer885]

I loved learning about this technique and keen to give it a go. Thanks so much for sharing all your tips and techniques

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@Nogoingback_1]

I use my scorer to add the masking fluid. Working pretty good.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Great tip! Thank you 😊

[@anjadewit8696]

Beautifull

[@seshagriffin7025]

So amazing!

[@mariebaar4694]

So many useful tips, I cannot wait to try them out! Thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome!

[@catherinedoherty2025]

Fabulous! Now I know ! Thanks

[@joannepeyton1654]

Beautiful, Karen! Really cool background. That bird looks like it’s popping out of the painting. I could watch you all day. 💜😎🇺🇸

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thanks so much 😊

[@migdaliarodriguez3652]

Realmente es maravilloso!!!!!desde Puerto Rico

[@migdaliarodriguez3652]

It is so real you think the bird i goin to fly

[@artwithmamafairybreadd]

This is gorgeous ❤️❤️❤️💕

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you 😊

[@terrilikens4975]

Thanks for sharing this. I already have something in mind to use it with!

[@KarenRiceArt]

Wonderful! Have fun and thank you Terri 😀

[@sandraocallaghan8616]

Ingenious.

[@jessiemontgomery5838]

These backgrounds are so much more interesting.

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you! They are so much fun to paint!

[@eileencollins3126]

Very interesting background, Karen. This technique is something I plan to use. I can also see the possibility of many deviations of this style. Thanks for explaining it so well and sharing with all of us!

[@KarenRiceArt]

You are so welcome Eileen! It really is a great techniques for backgrounds!

[@TheBeverleyann]

Wonderful lesson ! I will give this a go :) You popped up and inspired me to pull out my paints & play. Thank you so so much. Have a Lovely Day

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Beverley! So pleased you were inspired by this painting! 😀

[@Marilynnr53]

Love this!

[@gillianjones537]

Absolutely inspiring. Thank you. 😊

[@KarenRiceArt]

Thank you Gillian!