As you know, I first attempted this technique in Procreate. We created a watercolour floral and did that with a raster-based stencil. Keeping those techniques in mind, I wanted to also try this process in Affinity Designer. In Affinity Designer, the additional value is in being able to use a vector-based stencil. Is this significant? In my opinion, there are many added benefits to using a vector stencil. I will reveal reasons in the class, but suffice it to say, the biggest advantage is on being able to adjust the stencil at any time. 

This class, Create a Gouache Floral Using a Stencil in Affinity Designer, will show you what I have done to create this pretty floral artwork with a mixed media feel to it. I use the built-in Affinity Designer gouache brushes, but you could pick any of your favorite brushes to use, as long as you are consistent. I even use mixed-media brushes to create a layered and detail-rich background after importing an image through the built-in Pexels/unSplash interface. In the class, I take you from start to finish in creating a complete gouache and mixed-media piece. Working in layers allowed me to have control so I could experiment with adding additional textures or even changing colors if I wished to later. I loved being able to specify what order the layers were in.

The art we’ll be creating is completely editable and in AD, we have the added benefit of the flower edge being a vector. That allows for enlargement if necessary, to a certain extent. I am providing you with the stencil to help speed up the process for you. 

In this class I’ll walk you through:

• my step-by-step method for importing the initial stencil
• use of the built-in gouache brushes
• my workflow for use of layers and blending modes
• working with gouache blending and adding texture
• adding texture using additional brushes
• methods for keeping the art fully editable for later adjustments and recoloring 

Creating an art piece in both Procreate and Affinity Designer will allow for you to decide on the advantages and disadvantage of each of the programs. You will soon decide whether or not you prefer one program over the other.