Thank you, Nark! The solution is the technique called “negative painting” where you paint the background around the shape instead of the actual shape. I teach this technique in most of my watercolor classes because it’s so essential in watercolor painting. If you like the style of this piece, then I recommend the course “Freely Grown” https://www.peonyandparakeet.com/freelygrown/
Magical Forest is also a fun course to learn the technique: https://www.peonyandparakeet.com/magical-forest/

Thank you, Carol!