Layering Negative Space: Layered Leaves Watercolor

In this layered leaves watercolor, leaves are created by repeating negative space painting techniques with darker layers of background color.

If you’re looking for something peaceful to paint, this is it!

The Subscription Box

The monthly subscription box arrives from Let’s Make Art with all the supplies needed to complete 4 projects. Today’s project covers one of those four.

Layered Leaves Negative Space Watercolor Tutorial

Layered Leaves Project supplies:

• 2 pieces of watercolor paper
• step by step written instructions
• completed project photo
• paints

Layered Leaves Project 4 repeated steps:

• even wash
• paint background around leaves
• dry completely
• repeat

Brushes used:

• Size 2 Princeton Heritage
• Size 4 Princeton Heritage
• Size 10 Princeton Heritage

Colors used:

• Paynes Gray
• Orchid
• Yellow Ochre
• Space Blue

Hide and Seek YouTube tutorial:

You can see the Let’s Make Art- Hide and Seek Leaves tutorial I followed on YouTube here.

I always forget to take pictures when I begin! In this first photo, I had already painted a light wash of soft pink over the whole area using my size 10 brush and a paper towel, then painted the outline of 2 leaves with a darker pink. After it dried completely, I repeated the process with a light purple color and added 2 more leaves.

After that layer dried I repeated the process adding more leaves using a darker purple.

I added another layer of negative space leaves using a very dark purple.

It’s easy to get confused when you are adding new layers of darker color while you create more leaves with each layer. But I stayed focused and concentrated of creating the leaves by sections instead of trying to plan out the whole layer before painting.

I could have painted one more layer by adding black but I decided to stop here because I really liked the color of the dark purple.

You have to paint around all the leaves as you’re creating each layer, and allow each layer to dry completely before painting on top of it so this was time consuming to complete. But painting leaves is always relaxing to me.

Paint With Me!

Thank you for traveling along with me while I learn how to paint with watercolors. Are you ready to try it? It doesn’t cost a thing to follow the Let’s Make Art with Sarah Cray videos if you already have watercolor supplies. To visit their website, click the link in the left sidebar.

? Or click here to get $5.00 off any order over $35 when you decide you’re ready. You can sign up for their monthly subscription box which comes with the supplies needed (paint, paper, outline, graphite paper, finished project photo sample and step by step written instructions) for 4 watercolor projects every month. In addition, Individual kits and supplies are also available. By using the link provided, I will receive a discount on a future box. So thank you in advance!

If you have questions please leave me know in the comments below.

This is the 3rd time I’ve tried to paint florals using negative space, my first attempt can be seen here: Daisies Created with Negative Space.

What’s next? Hit the subscribe button to get updates on future watercolor posts! I would love for you to join me on my journey to become a watercolor artist. Stay peaceful. ☮

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