How to Paint a Splatter Effect with Watercolor

I have always loved experimenting with watercolor and one technique that has always made me happy is using a splatter technique in my paintings.  It’s almost completely uncontrollable and thus gives a sense of mystery to my painting process.  Today I’ll be showing you how I paint a starry background with splattering. 

Before I begin, here is a list of the supplies I used in this video

Preparation

First, I traced a circle out of paper.  I highly recommend using a heavy stock or even some watercolor scrape paper for this.  I used computer paper which later I regretted.  So just be aware of that. 

Next, I painted the edges of my moon with liquid frisket.  Make sure to use a cheap junk brush when painting with frisket.  This stuff WILL ruin your brushes.   Once your frisket is dry, it should appear clear, water down two blue colors- I used Turquoise Blue and True Blue from Ph Martin.  Using some masking tape, I covered my moon with the circle we cut earlier and now I’m ready to paint. 

Splatter Technique #1: Beating Brushes

With this technique I prefer to use a large mop round brush and a large handled brush (it can be any brush just needs a large handle which to beat on.) 

Using a large round mop brush, I collected a large amount of watered down paint from my palette.  Then, with a larger handled brush, I beat my round brush against it splattering the paint onto my paper. 

Splatter Technique #2: Blowing Paint

In this painting I really wanted to give the effect of thick splattering paint streaks.  To create this effect, I would blow on wet puddles lightly in the direction I desired them to move.    

Splatter Technique #3: Spraying Toothbrush

Next, dip an old tooth brush in desired paint and with your thumb flick the paint onto the paper.  I worked closer to the circle to try and get full coverage of the paint.  I first used blue but then switched to a chartreuse green (or a light yellow green) to add some color variation. 

Finishing Touches

Once I removed the tape, you will notice a strong circle  which I proceeded to blend out in a circular motion with watered down blue paint.  I slowly moved from the center out blending some of the splatter to create faint rings.  Don’t overdo this technique or else you will lose your splatter effect.

Next, mixing Black with the Norway Blue to create a deeper midnight blue, I repeated the previous splattering techniques.   The only difference was this time I used my circle cutout as a guard closer to the moon.  Any blue paint that “accidentally” splatters on your moon can be smoothed out with water and create a cool illuminating effect.  This is a prime example of how a mistake actually became a positive. Let this dry. 

Finally, we are going to add stars. 

Make sure your old toothbrush is completely free of blue paint.  Then, with acrylic white paint, splatter tiny stars over your dark surface.  Using the splatter paint as a guide, with a small liner paint brush add tiny dots for stars. 

Once again let it dry and then show it off to your friends.