Home » Craft Room » DIY Watercolor Painting with Gold Leaf

DIY Watercolor Painting with Gold Leaf

Ready to learn how to make a DIY Watercolor Painting? I’m all about making my own art and this was a quick and easy project. We’ll see how to watercolor paint,  how to paint DIY abstract art, how to apply gold leaf to paper and at the end of the day, you’ll have your very own DIY abstract painting….but first, the back story.

I’m still doing some decorating in Kate’s room…but it’s been on a rather sporadic basis. I’ve been trying to squeeze it in between my knitting projects and my uncluttering projects.  The truth is,  I rarely start and finish a project without several detours along the way…can you relate?

Still on my ‘Kate’s Room To Do’ list was to gather some art for the ubiquitous gallery wall that she requested.  We re-purposed many pictures and frames that we already had, but we needed some pops of pink and, as is my wont, I opted to try and make some nice piece of DIY abstract art instead of buy it.

This was a nice, quick project and a needed respite from the paper mache trophy ram’s head that I’ve been working on.  Talk about a messy project!   With any luck, I’ll be finishing that bad boy up this weekend.  The ram’s head SHOULD be the final element for a Bang Up gallery wall.  Fingers crossed.  Once that’s done, I’ll be back to give you a total roundup of what we did and how we did it.

What You Need To DIY Watercolor Painting with Gold Leaf:

Some of these links may be affiliate links and I may earn a small commission off of the sale of these products to help defray the costs of operating this site, but the price you are charged is not affected. You can see my full disclosure policy here.

If you’re at all like me, you may have most of these items already on hand.   The only thing I needed to purchase for this project was the tube of pink watercolor.

If you can’t find what you need,  Michaels will have supplies for most every crafting need under the sun. You can order online here and have it shipped or you can pick it up at your convenience. 

DIY Watercolor Painting – DIY Abstract Art and How to Apply Gold Leaf :

  • When I think about how to watercolor paint, I like to lay on the colors that you want in the watercolor painting.
  • By using your brush to ‘draw’ a line in the paint, you create a barrier that the paint really doesn’t want to cross, but will if really forced to.  Since we’re talking about an abstract painting, I made my line a little wonky, as opposed to a straight line.  You can force the paint to ‘cross the barrier’ by holding the paper up and lightly tapping it on the counter.  I like the way this made a few streaks of color to go out on their own.
    DIY Watercolor Painting: How to paint abstract art
  • Once that is dry, lay down the gold leaf adhesive where you want the gold leaf to be.  You don’t need much of the adhesive, a thin coat will do. I am always looking for ways to use gold leaf in paintings…this was a no brainer!
    DIY Watercolor Painting: How to apply gold leaf to paper
  • Wait about 45 minutes before you lay your gold leaf in pieces over your adhesive.
  • Take a sheet of gold leaf.  If you haven’t worked with gold leaf before, it is some fragile stuff.  Don’t panic if it tears, wrinkles or folds.  That’s part of the characteristic of it. You’ll notice it really wants to cling right to the adhesive.
  • Use a soft brush to gently brush the gold leaf away from the areas with adhesive.
  • I went back and added a bit of pink with a wee bit of orange on one side of the gold.  I did the same procedure where I held it up and shook it to get some of the paint to move.
    DIY Abstract Art: Watercolor painting with gold leaf
DIY Watercolor Painting: diy abstract art with gold leaf framed on wall
DIY Watercolor Painting: Abstract Art with Gold Leaf

This DIY watercolor painting was such a quick and fun little project to add some abstract art and needed color to a gallery wall.

Pinterest Pin of DIY Watercolor Painting: DIY Abstract art with gold leaf

If you are interested in making your own DIY Watercolor Painting or want to see how to paint abstract art, then bookmark this page or pin the following image for your future reference.

Pinterest Pin of DIY Watercolor Painting: DIY Abstract art with gold leaf
Society 6 - Pink and Gold Watercolor Collage

This abstract design is available as a phone case, a framed print or canvas or as gift cards at our Society 6 shop – please stop by and see our work – click here to visit!

Thanks again for spending a few minutes of your busy day with me today. Please know that I welcome each and every comment that comes my way.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss future content, pop your email in the beige box up on the right or click here.  I usually send out 1 email a week, so I won’t inundate your inbox…believe me, I’m sensitive to an overflowing email inbox!

When you subscribe to Nourish and Nestle, be assured that we will only use your email address to send you emails that will keep you up to date with the latest news and content on the site. In addition, you will have access to my growing library of knit patterns, crochet patterns, as well as other printables. This library will continue to grow, so check back often.

Please know that you can unsubscribe at any time by emailing me or clicking on the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of all emails.

Did you know that you can access many of the products I refer to in all of my posts on my Nourish and Nestle Amazon Page? You can access it here.

So, if you’d like to get in on the ‘subscriber benefit’ action, simply subscribe to Nourish and Nestle here or using the form on the right sidebar. It’s towards the top a bit. I have sent all my subscribers the link to the Subscriber Benefits Library. If you missed it or misplaced it, drop me a line.

Until next time…

Hugs,

 

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!

Similar Posts

43 Comments

    1. Hi Mary, You are so sweet. I can always count on kind words from you, you always lift me up. Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Hugs, Lynn

  1. Oh, this is just what I could envision on my daughters wall, Lynn! Lately I kinda have a crush on pink with gold. Georgeous! I’ve never crafted with gold leaf, but it sounds easy and I really love the texture and effect it has! You must know, I love love love easy & quick projects so this will be right up my alley! I’m sure Kate will love it!!! Have a great day! 🙂

    1. Hi Katrin, with your mad skills, you could knock this out in no time. Get some gold leaf and adhesive and have at it It’s a fun and quick project.

      Kate saw the post and she does love it…thankfully!

      Hugs, LYnn

  2. love this! So beautiful. Pinning to give a try. And, I can fully relate to the sidetracked projects. Story of my life. Especially decorating our home because it seems I never have the budget or time …. or I change my mind! The rooms slowly get pieced together and that is just fine. In the end, the results are worth it.

    1. Hi Sarah, I’ve got to believe that we are not in the minority on the sidetracked project challenge. At any one time I’ll have 4-5 projects in the queue. My problem is that I come up with projects faster than Terry has the energy to do them. Oh well…guess I wouldn’t know what to do if my list got too small.
      Thanks for stopping by today!

      hugs, Lynn

  3. I love it! I am on the lookout for a painting for my bedroom. Unfortunately, they are either very pricey or not up my street. Painting myself is a great idea. Pinning 🙂

    1. Hi Mila, I am all about making my own art. I’m not blessed with patience, so instead of waiting until I can find or afford what I want, I end up making it…mostly so I don’t have to wait! Not sure that’s a good thing, but it’s made me resourceful!
      Thanks so much for stopping by and so happy I was able to give you a wee bit of an idea.

      Hugs, Lynn

    1. Hi Cassie, thanks for stopping by and I’d love to come back next week! I’m planning on it.
      I completely agree with you…this was such a simple project, but the gold leaf gives it a bit of ‘je ne sais quoi’ (high school French still there…yay me!). This is my kind of project too…think of something and then within an hour I have a finished project. I’m all about (well, mostly all about) immediate gratification.

      Wishing you a happy Thursday!

      Lynn

    1. Hi Mandi, thanks so much for your sweet words. I love seeing your photography, you have such a great eye, so your compliments on my art creations are so appreciated. So glad you popped in for a visit today.

      Hugs, Lynn

    1. Thanks so much sweet Allison! Honestly, so very easy and I know you could make it. I’d love for you to try it…and the supply list is very short. I love making art like this, especially when it turns out like I imagine it. So appreciate you stopping by today.

      Hugs, Lynn

    1. Good Morning Yami…get those watercolors out of their drawer, get your brushes out of their jar, grab a piece of paper…or two…and have some new art by this afternoon! So glad you stopped by.

      Enjoy your weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!

      Lynn

  4. Art is always better when one can make it themselves and it looks really nice on the wall in her room! I’m sure she loves it! Popping over from #waywow Facebook

    1. Good Morning Michelle, I do agree with you. If I haven’t created the art on our walls, its art that we have some connection to…a friend painted it or it’s a place we love or an image that means something to us.
      I think she’ll really love it. She’s still away, but of course I sent photos of the layout before I put nails in the wall… she is a young lady with very strong preferences!
      Thanks for swinging by…hugs, Lynn

  5. Lynn, this is awesome! I might try doing something similar for our bedroom or bathroom. I love the gold leaf you added for that bit of bling! You come up with some really great ideas and I look forward to seeing what the next one will always be.

    1. Hi Carol.. thanks for your very kind words. Coming from you…you of the DIY heart map brilliance…I am truly honored.
      I really hesitate to call it a ‘painting’ since it took me all of 2 minutes to roll some paint over some paper…I feel like it’s cheating a wee bit, but oh well. I do love it, no matte what it’s called. If you do make one for your bathroom, I’d love to see it!

      Hugs and wishes for a Happy Valentine’s Day

      Lynn

  6. This is so beautiful! I never do painting because I’m worried that I don’t have enough skill. But, this looks so great! I love your tutorial and think that I might be able to do it. I particularly think that the colors you chose look fantastic! The pinks with the goldleaf are phenomenal!

  7. I love making my own artwork and this tutorial is awesome! Thank you so much for the inspiration.

    Thanks so much for sharing your creativity at The DIY Collective this week! Please come back next week to show off your latest project!

    Have an awesome week!
    ~ Ashley

    1. Hi Ashley, you are so welcome for whatever inspiration I might provide you. I’ve been to your site, so I know that you are brimming over with creativity and can easily make this simple project. Have fun with it! Hugs, LYnn

    1. Hi Holly, it was so easy…really. There’s no right or wrong way…my kind of project. I encourage you to give it a whirl and I think you’ll be pleased with your end result.

      Thanks for stopping by today, Lynn

    1. So sorry I’m so late in responding, for some reason this got sent to spam and I just found it. But I do so appreciate your kind comments and would love to encourage you to try again. My guess is that you are judging yourself too harshly.
      Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Lynn

    1. Hmmm…I hadn’t heard that and I have several paintings I did with gold leaf that I have never sealed and years later they are find. But, I’m guessing you could use any non-yellowing acrylic spray paint…lightly over the entire painting.

      Good luck and thanks for stopping by.

      Hugs, Lynn

      1. Thankyou for your prompt reply. Saw video using leaf with acrylics and that was stated. Acrylics have some amonia in them and it turns the leaf. I am a watercolorist and want to use leaf on the art work, but not a sealant. So will try your way . Hugs back at you

  8. Wooow, this looks amazing and simple enough for me to try. Glad I came across thisand thanks for the share.

    1. Good Morning Alisha and thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your kind comment.

      That painting was so easy and fun to do and I’m so glad it might have inspired you even a wee bit.

      Hope your day is fantastic!!

      Many hugs,

      Lynn

    1. Good Morning Sara,

      I hope you had a fantastic weekend!

      I used a ‘frameless’ frame like this https://amzn.to/2HVwrhN (affiliate). At the same time, you could use a traditional frame…think that would be lovely too.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and hope this answers your question. If not, do pop back by.

      Have a great day my friend.

      Hugs, Lynn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *