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by Kaitlyn Bonack

  • Gouache
  • Painting Techniques
  • Tips & Techniques
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Using the Watercolor Floral Set to Create Flowers

Watercolor supplies including brushes, paper, and paint tubes on a workspace. ft strathmore paper and Daler-Rowney aquafine watercolors

The Princeton Watercolor Floral Set, curated by floral artist and Princeton Ambassador Esther Peck, provides artists with a versatile collection of brushes designed to enhance floral compositions. This set combines selections from three of Princeton's renowned brush series—Neptune, Velvetouch, and Heritage—each tailored to meet the demands of botanical artistry with watercolor.

A Look Inside the Princeton Watercolor Floral Set

The set includes five synthetic brushes, each chosen for its ability to render specific floral elements:

Princeton Heritage Round Size 2 brush strokes
  • Heritage Round 2: deal for intricate details and fine lines, this brush excels in adding delicate touches to petals and leaves
Princeton Heritage Round size 6 Brush strokes
  • Heritage Round 6: A versatile brush suitable for both detailing and broader strokes, making it essential for various floral components like petals, leaves, and details.
Princeton Neptune Round size 8 Brush strokes

  • Neptune Round 8: Known for its excellent water retention, this brush is perfect for creating soft washes and expressive petals. You won’t have to dip your brush in water or color very often!
Princeton Velvetouch Angular Shader 3/8 Brush strokes

  • Velvetouch Angle Shader 3/8": Designed for precise strokes, this brush is excellent for crafting sharp edges and geometric floral patterns. Create everything from straight lines to multicolored petals with ease.
Princeton Velvetouch Petals size 8 Brush strokes

  • Velvetouch Petals 8: Specially shaped to mimic the natural form of petals, this brush simplifies the process of painting realistic floral shapes including petals, foliage, and teardrops.

Each brush in this set is designed to help you effortlessly create botanical and organic shapes with watercolor or gouache, giving you the perfect tools to bring your floral art to life.

Tips for Creating Watercolor Florals

To use the Princeton Watercolor Floral Set to its full potential, consider the following tips:

  1. Understand Each Brush's Strengths: Familiarize yourself with the unique characteristics of each brush. For example, use the Neptune Round 8 for larger washes and loose florals, and the Velvetouch Petals 8 for shaping precise petals. Round brushes are also great for petals, while angled or detail brushes (like the Heritage Round 2) help define edges and veins.
  2. Experiment with Water Control: The brushes in this set are made with high quality synthetic hairs that offer excellent water retention. Practice controlling water levels to achieve desired transparency and saturation. More water will give you soft, airy blends, while less water can help create sharper details.
  3. Layering Techniques: Utilize the brushes to build layers. Start with light washes and gradually add layers and details to create depth in your florals. Always let each layer dry before adding details to prevent colors from bleeding and to maintain crisp shapes.
Watercolor painting of pink hydrangeas by Esther Peck with paintbrushes and Princeton Watercolor Floral Set

Exploring Brush Techniques with Esther Peck

Esther Peck's expertise in watercolor florals shines through in her demonstrations of each brush:

  • Neptune Round Size 8 Brush: Esther utilizes this brush to create peonies and roses, showcasing its ability to form soft, rounded petals and fluid leaf shapes.
  • Velvetouch Petals Brush: This brush's unique design allows Esther to effortlessly paint various flowers and foliage, highlighting its versatility in producing both broad strokes and fine details.
  • Velvetouch Angular Shader Brush: Esther demonstrates how this brush excels in painting hydrangeas, particularly in achieving tight angles and defining individual petals using two colors.
  • Heritage Round Size 6 Brush: This brush’s versatility is evident as Esther uses it to paint a range of florals, emphasizing its role in both detailed work and broader applications.

The Princeton Watercolor Floral Set is a must-have for anyone looking to refine their floral watercolor skills. By getting to know each brush and experimenting with its unique qualities, you can take your botanical paintings to the next level with detail and depth.

For a visual demonstration and more inspiration, you can watch Esther Peck's tutorial on using the Princeton Watercolor Floral Set:

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