Creating Botanical Beauty: A Watercolor Journey with Japanese Art Supplies

There's something deeply satisfying about capturing the organic flow of botanical forms through watercolor. This piece emerged from an exploration of loose, expressive techniques using some exceptional Japanese art supplies that have become favorites in my studio.

https://www.artbytamlinetteplaster.com/products/blue-green-abstract-folliage

The Magic of Gansai Tambi Watercolors

For this painting, I reached for my Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set 48 Colors, and what a difference these paints make! Unlike traditional tube watercolors, gansai tambi paints come in solid pans with an incredibly creamy, rich consistency. They're formulated to be more opaque than typical watercolors while still maintaining that beautiful translucent quality.

The blues in this piece highlight the intensity these paints can achieve. The deep cerulean and ultramarine blues create those striking focal points in the center of the composition, while still allowing for subtle gradations and soft edges. What I particularly love about Gansai Tambi is how they reactivate with water – you can go back into dried areas and create seamless blends and transitions.

Adding That Golden Touch

The Uni Posca Paint Marker PC-5M in Gold was the perfect finishing touch for highlighting the two prominent leaves. Posca markers are unique and I love working with them. They're pigment-based rather than dye-based, which means they maintain their opacity even over watercolor washes.

I waited until the watercolor was completely dry before adding these gold accents. The metallic quality catches the light beautifully and creates a focal point that draws the eye through the composition.

Technique Breakdown

Wet-on-wet application: Much of the background was created by applying clean water first, then dropping in blues and letting them flow naturally. 

Layering: The leaf forms were built up in multiple layers, starting with light washes and gradually adding depth and definition.

Linear details: The fine stems and leaf veins were added with the smallest water brush using more concentrated pigment for definition.

Why These Supplies Work So Well Together

• Gansai tambi paints provide rich, vibrant color with excellent mixing properties
• Posca markers add details and highlights that won't muddy the watercolor

Final Thoughts

Working with quality supplies truly makes a difference in watercolor painting. Whether you're a beginner looking to invest in reliable tools or an experienced painter seeking to expand your palette of techniques, this combination offers so many possibilities.

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 Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set 48 Colors (Amazon) 

Uni Posca Paint Marker PC-5M in Gold (Amazon)

Princeton Heritage, Series 4050, Synthetic Sable Paint Brush for Watercolor, Set of 4 (Amazon) 

Arches Watercolor Paper Pad, 140 pound, Hot Press, 11.69"x16.53"   (Amazon)