Colors in Bloom: March's Art Guide
"Spring is the time of plans and projects. Just as the earth reawakens with new life, so too can we bloom with fresh purpose and renewed creativity. Let each brushstroke be a celebration of your own awakening." - Claude Monet.
March art Guide brings a peaceful journey through color, line, and playful shapes
March's Color Palette
Let these vibrant spring hues bring joy to your creative practice. The gentle awakening of March comes to life in our palette: Sage Green grounds us in nature's renewal, Soft Yellow brings the tender warmth of returning sunlight, Lavender whispers of the first blooms stretching toward the sky, Blush Pink captures the delicate flush of budding flowers, Sky Blue reflects the clearing winter skies, White provides space for possibilities to unfold, Turquoise flows with the freshness of spring waters, and Orange infuses our creations with the vibrant energy that pulses through all awakening things.
This month, we're exploring the meditative quality of geometric patterns and joyful shapes. Using watercolor, fine liners, and gel pen, we'll create compositions that celebrate spring's return while allowing our minds to settle into the peaceful rhythm of pattern-making. Each 30-minute session invites you to lose yourself in the flow of color and form, finding calm in repetition and joy in the interaction of watercolors with line work.
Basic Materials
Watercolor (or ink) paints in our spring palette.
Fine liner pens.
Gel pen for outlines and highlights.
Acrylic Markers.
Watercolor paper (140lb/300gsm recommended).
Round brushes: one medium, one small.
Water container and paper towels.
Optional: pencil for initial sketching.
You can find these supplies on my Amazon Storefront.
Week 1: Geometric Joy
Finding peace in geometric harmony.
Step 1: Simple Shape Planning
Divide your paper into a loose grid.
If desired, use your pencil to very lightly mark a few guidelines.
Consider the shapes you'll include:
Half circles and arches.
Full circles of various sizes.
Rectangles and strips.
Scalloped edges and wave forms.
Step 2: First Shapes
Choose 3-4 colors to begin with
Paint a few larger shapes first:
A half-circle in one corner.
A few arches toward the center.
A rectangle or two.
Leave white space between each shape.
Step 3: Building Your Composition
Add medium-sized shapes, using new colors:
Circles in empty spaces.
Short rectangular strips.
Scalloped borders along one edge.
As you work, notice the balance of colors across your page.
Keep shapes simple and clean, with space between them.
Step 4: Small Details
Add tiny circles in remaining spaces.
Create small dots in rows.
Include thin lines that connect different areas.
These small elements add rhythm and balance.
Step 5: Final Elements
Step back and observe your composition.
Add a few final shapes where needed for balance.
Consider adding one or two unique elements that stand out.
Trust your intuition on what feels complete.
If wanted, add white gel pen outlines to select shapes once dry.
Week 2: Spring Arcs & Curves
Celebrating the graceful curves of nature's awakening.
Step 1: Creating the Framework
With a very light pencil touch, sketch several large, flowing shapes:
Create curved forms that flow into one another.
Include some half-circles along the edges.
Add a few wave-like forms at the bottom.
Draw some concentric arcs in one area.
Leave small gaps between all shapes for white borders.
Keep your lines gentle and flowing.
Step 2: First Layer of Color
Begin with larger shapes, using turquoise blue for wave-like forms.
Add orange and yellow to curved shapes in another area.
Work one shape at a time, allowing the color to flow within boundaries.
Keep colors bright and vibrant, using enough water for smooth application.
Be mindful of keeping paint within each shape, leaving white borders.
Step 3: Second Color Layer
Continue with medium-sized shapes.
Add green elements to balance the composition.
Incorporate pink or lavander shapes in strategic locations.
Create some shapes that overlap or nest inside previous ones, always keepinf a blank space between each shape.
Notice how different colors interact visually when placed next to each other.
Step 4: Detail Elements
Add small circles within larger shapes.
Create repeated dot patterns in certain areas.
Fill any empty spaces with tiny details.
These small elements will add rhythm and interest.
Step 5: Refining White Spaces
Once all paint is dry, use your white gel pen or fine brush with white gouache.
Strengthen the white borders between shapes if needed.
Add thin white outlines around each colored shape.
Take your time with this step, enjoying the meditative quality of line work.
These white lines create the "stained glass" effect that unifies your piece.
Week 3: Overlapping Circles
Creating centers of energy and expansion.
Step 1: Planning Your Circles
With a light pencil touch, sketch 8-10 large circles of different sizes.
Add 10-15 medium circles overlapping with your larger ones.
Include a few small circles in the remaining spaces.
These will be your guidelines—keep the pencil marks very light.
Notice how the arrangement creates a pleasing, organic flow.
Step 2: First Layer of Circles
Begin with larger circles using pink, lavander, and yellow.
Paint inside your pencil lines, leaving the white paper showing between circles.
These white spaces will create your borders.
Work with one circle at a time, using gentle, mindful strokes.
Where circles overlap, let one color dry before adding the next.
Step 3: Second Layer of Circles
Add medium circles in blue, turquoise, and orange.
Continue maintaining the white space between shapes.
Where circles overlap, observe how the colors create visual interest.
Some circles can be more transparent, others more opaque.
Trust the process as your composition develops.
Step 4: Final Circle Details
Add a few small circles in bright pink or white (you can use an acrylic Marker to arreate these details).
Place these strategically to create balance.
Fill any large empty spaces with tiny circles.
These small elements add energy and completion.
Step 5: Background Fill
Once all circles are completely dry, prepare a sage green wash.
With a steady hand, carefully paint around your circles.
Fill all the remaining white spaces with this green background.
Allow the background to have subtle variations in tone.
Step 6: White Border Enhancement (Opcional)
Once everything is completely dry, use your white gel pen or fine brush with white gouache.
Carefully trace along the edges of each circle, strengthening the white borders.
This step creates the distinctive "stained glass" effect.
Week 4: Pattern Conversations
Combining elements into a spring dialogue.
Step 1: Creating Your Grid
Using a light pencil touch and ruler, divide your paper into a grid of equal squares.
Aim for 4-5 columns and 4-5 rows (16-25 squares total).
Leave a small border around the edge of your paper.
Make your pencil lines very faint.
Step 2: Drawing Flowing Lines
In each square, lightly sketch 2-3 flowing curved lines.
These can be C-shapes, S-curves, or gentle arcs.
Let them divide each square into 3-4 sections.
Keep the lines organic and flowing.
Vary the patterns across different squares for visual interest.
Step 3: First Colors
Choose 2-3 of your colors to begin with.
Starting with any square, carefully paint one section at a time.
Follow your pencil lines, leaving thin white borders between sections.
Work one square and one section at a time.
Step 4: Completing the Palette
Introduce your remaining colors.
Continue filling in sections across your grid.
Create balance by distributing colors throughout.
Avoid clustering too much of one color in one area.
Maintain the white borders between each colored section.
Step 5: Final Touches
Once you've colored all sections, look for any areas that need strengthening.
Deepen some colors for contrast if desired.
Ensure all white borders are clean and visible.
If needed, add white gel pen to reinforce any borders.
Techniques to Explore
Creating Clean White Lines
Ensure watercolor is completely dry before adding white gel pen.
For best results, use a white pen with opaque ink (Sakura Gelly Roll or Posca pens work well).
Hold your pen vertically for thin lines, at an angle for thicker lines.
Practice consistent pressure for even lines.
If white ink skips, roll pen on scrap paper to restore flow.
Watercolor Tips
Let wet sections dry before working adjacent areas for clean edges.
For smooth gradients, work wet-into-wet.
For crisp pattern sections, work wet-onto-dry.
Keep paper towel handy to lift color if needed.
Remember that watercolor dries lighter than it appears when wet.
Pattern Ideas
Dots: varying sizes, spacing, or in clusters.
Lines: parallel, radiating, wavy, or zig-zag.
Scallops: like fish scales or flower petals.
Grid: squares, diamonds, or honeycomb.
Nature-inspired: tiny leaves, flower shapes, or raindrops.
May these March explorations bring you moments of peace, creative joy, and connection to spring's awakening energy. Remember that each mark you make is perfect in its own way, just as each spring blossom unfolds exactly as it should.
Next month: April's "Earth Elements" - exploring texture, natural forms, and environmental connection.
