Wonky Bubbles

This is a typical warm-up exercise I have painters start off with in my workshop classes.  By abandoning the need to perfectly render subjects realistically, painters relax.  I show them how to let water and pigments mix on the paper to effect interesting reactions yielding textural blooms unique to watercolor.  We work with alternating brushfuls of warms next to cools, letting the hues mingle and mix on the paper's surface. Inevitably everyone produces exceptionally bold paintings that are unique, fun, and whimsical! 

I paint these demos on 300# watercolor paper, either Arches or Kilamanjaro. I've done these on cold press as well as hot press surfaces.