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Painter’s Block? No Inspiration? Paint this easy, loose, expressive abstract watercolor!

Diane Antone Studio

8,797 views

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Think abstracts are too hard? Think again! Today we’re diving into an abstract colour experience that’s not only fun and freeing — it’s also the easiest way to break through a creative block. If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or just don’t know what to paint, this playful approach will get you grabbing your brushes and back in the flow. And best of all, you might just end up with a frame-worthy piece. So without further ado, let’s jump in and start painting!

Materials:
Madisi 24 pan Watercolor Paint Set (Kuretake Gansai Tambi style) $24.99 https://amzn.to/4kRVJey

Meeden 100% Cotton 140lb cold pressed watercolor paper 12x9 block https://go.meedenart.com/4gvFT8c
Use coupon code DIANE15 for 15% off every Meeden order
Meeden now has FOUR local websites. Use the one nearest you!
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Princeton Aqua Elite Cats Tongue Brush https://amzn.to/4nSNOjX
Princeton Aqua Elite Size 12 Round https://amzn.to/3TJE7GC

Binder Rings https://amzn.to/3ReTvtD

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:29 Materials
01:26 Painting the background on cold press paper
08:13 Comparing the effect on rough and hot press paper
10:23 Continuing with the hot press background
22:45 The finished painting in a frame

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About my brushes
I have always bought my favorite brushes from Drawell direct from Japan. They are handmade in Japan. Drawell will ship readily to anywhere in the world. The prices on their website are in Japanese currency but if you send Mr Maeyama an email he will give you prices in other currencies. The brushes I use are the Maestro Series (black and Gold handles) and the Golden Nylon Series 11-2 (red and white handles) and I use sizes 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. http://www.drawell.co.jp/english/prod...

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20 Comments

@karenlycan4784 6 months ago

This is so fun! Please do more tutorials like this! Great inspiration.❤

@JHW7 1 year ago

Hi lovely Diane, I AM a clinical psychologist here in your old county of Sussex, England but I’m not going to psychoanalyse your painting, lol, just to thank you for your teaching & for helping me to ‘free up’ so that I can paint. Always enjoyed watercolour but was never shown how to use it. Started watching ‘Copying the Master’ (watercolours with scripture verses) last year which inspired me to pick up my brushes again & I now LOVE LOVE LOVE painting & try to paint at least twice a week.
I follow several watercolour channels on YT but your’s & Ellen Crimi Trent’s (who you’ve previously mentioned) are my favourites by far. You are both SO inspiring, encouraging & EXCELLENT teachers. As a perfectionist I can be very self critical but learning to just enjoy the process of painting. I’m trying to loosen up my painting style & have particularly benefited from your old loose watercolour videos such as the hare & butterfly ones. Thank you & please keep on doing what you’re doing!! 😊❤

@debfarrell2505 1 year ago

I love all 3 of your backgrounds.
The one you worked on reminded me of autumn whirlwind.
I hope someday you show us what you do with the other two.
Thank you for all your hard wirk on these tutorials.

@jocelynmenting3461 1 year ago

...and the talking noise of the birds at the background..😂

@coraleefreeman5956 1 year ago (edited)

Even though you can't be there, couldn't they watch your videos for inspiration. Love this by the way. Looks like a storm with leaves flying everywhere. ❤

@libbykloap4494 1 year ago

This painting really is inspiring! I just love it! It is definitely frame worthy!! I would be so proud to paint something so wonderful!! Diane, you are such a talented artist and teacher.

@paulinestewart8188 1 year ago

This painting should be called "Autumn Storm". What great use of fun colours.

@TheArtsyAuntie 1 year ago

I was having a rough day worrying about some people I love who are going through some very difficult times and I feel hopeless that I can’t help. I sat here staring at my paints, looking at some sketches that were just not feeling right and wondered, what would Diane say. So I put on this video and just put paint on a piece of paper. Then I did it to two more pieces of paper. Now I can breathe again. It really does work. Just being grateful I have the supplies and I can paint for the love of watching the watercolor flow. Thank you and Tamsin so very much. ❤

@karenlewis632 1 year ago

Like looking down upon a forest glade on a windy autumn day I would say!!

@leelogs1 4 months ago

I never realised the absolute difference between these 3 papers before. So different from each other, especially the ‘rough’ , very different indeed!! It’s so dramatic, that it reminds me instantly of turmoil beneath the waves of the sea. with the storm raging above!! Resulting in deep, powerful currents, pulling here and there m, the fish having to go ‘with the flow’ as it were, no matter their size or intent!! Wonderful. So much more stimulating than the other two!! I feel I must get a block of that paper AND of the box of paints sooner rather than later!! Thankyou so much for this valuable and entertaining lesson you imparted to me today. 😊😊😊😊😊

@andreafranklin9626 1 year ago

Thank you for showing the different papers. Really helpful to see the same painting technique and how different they are. I love what you do and am so grateful for all the time and effort you expend to give to us! Very much appreciated and valued. Blessings!

@Ann-ey1tw 1 year ago (edited)

Can Tamsin begin using her teaching skills with her friends in the art group? It sounds like a good group! I’d love to find a group like that. We all need a community with a relaxing goal. And I love this technique!

@annehebert6959 1 year ago

I love all the little bird noises in the background. Very relaxing

@PhyllisBurnett 1 year ago

I see a yellow flower with the brilliant sun shinning into the middle

@robinsmith3719 6 months ago

That was spectacular. I really loved the freedom of the paint to just create the design and movement.

@rockchick-g3t 1 year ago

I love this! I'm blocked and feel unmotivated! I will try this tonight on hot press! Can't wait to see how it turns out. Thanks, Diane!

@tarakennedy3041 1 year ago

That is so brilliant! I haven't done it yet, but it is so calming. Listening is close to meditating. Thanks!

@BarbraMacNair 1 year ago

Thank you for showing the comparison between the different textures of paper. I ordered some of the rough because they were out of cold press and have enjoyed using it because I really like the texture. Fun, colorful way to start the day. Thank you.