How to Paint Better Backgrounds for Watercolor Floral Bouquets: 6 Easy Tips

Want to make your watercolor flowers stand out more? The secret might just be in your background.

In this tutorial, I walk you through my full process of painting a daisy bouquet and how I create beautiful, balanced backgrounds.

These tips are easy to follow and can help add depth and harmony to your floral pieces. Let's get started and make your backgrounds work for you!

Why the Background Matters in Watercolor Floral Paintings

Before we jump into the painting process, let me explain why I focus so much on backgrounds.

A background isn't just extra space around the flowers—it sets the mood for the entire painting. When done right, it can make your subject pop and harmonize everything.

I believe a good background adds depth, contrast, and life to the artwork.

Tip #1: Start with the Background

Let's begin with the first step: painting the background before anything else.

For a long time, I found it hard to decide how to paint the background after finishing the flowers. If you're like me, you might feel stuck figuring out what fits best after everything is done.

To solve that, I switch it up—I now start with the background first. This makes the whole process smoother and helps set the mood early on.

I begin by thoroughly wetting the right side of my watercolor paper with clean water. I use a soft, flat brush to do this, and I'm careful not to touch the flower area.

The flowers need to stay dry so they remain paper white.

Once I finish wetting that area, I give it a minute or two to let the water soak into the paper. This helps the paint flow better. Then, I switch to a round brush to start applying paint.

I use a soft mix of colors in this painting—blues, greens, and yellows. These colors blend beautifully when the paper is wet.

They also help create a calm, dreamy background that doesn't overpower the flowers.

Tip #2: Prepare Your Paints in Advance

Before you start painting, make sure your colors are ready to go.

The paper must stay wet for the paint to flow nicely when working with the wet-on-wet technique.

If you stop to mix colors in the middle of the painting, the paper can dry out too fast. That's why I always prepare enough paint in advance.

You can see on my palette that I have all my paints mixed and ready. This saves time and lets me paint quickly and smoothly. I gently apply a few colors and blend them to see how they interact.

Once I finish painting the right side of the paper, I move on to the left.

I repeat the same process—pre-wet the paper, then paint it in the background while the surface is moist. This helps keep everything even and consistent.

Tip #3: Incorporate Warm and Cool Colors

Now that your paper is wet and the paints are ready, let's choose the right color tones.

Adding warm and cool colors to your background can bring your painting to life. This contrast creates depth and interest. It also helps your flowers stand out in the composition.

When I work on my background, I balance the colors on both sides. I mix warm hues like yellows and browns with cooler tones like blue and green.

I also include some neutral tones—soft grays, muted browns, and other toned-down shades to connect everything smoothly. These act as bridges between the warm and cool colors.

Most importantly, I adjust as I go. I trust my eyes and make changes depending on what looks best for the piece.

Tip #4: Use Glazing for Richer Backgrounds

To make my background stand out, I love using the glazing technique. It's a simple way to add depth and texture to the piece.

Glazing involves applying multiple layers of transparent color over the dried paint. Each layer I add builds upon the one before, creating a more complex and varied background.

I apply a few different glazes with different colors, and each layer adds to the overall richness. The result is a beautifully textured background that feels dynamic and alive.

Once I've built up the background with glazes, I can move on to the flowers, starting with the centers of the petals. I paint them yellow, then add some brown tones to build up their shape.

To add shadows, I mix in a grayish color using the shades already on my palette.

Now, I use a sharp liner brush to paint the stems, carefully drawing fine lines down to the vase. I use a lighter shade of blue for the glass reflections, giving it that realistic, glass-like effect.

Tip #5: Bring Back the Highlights

Once the background is in place and the flowers are painted, it's time to bring back the light.

This step adds realism and gives your painting a three-dimensional feel. I use white gouache to restore the highlights. It works beautifully to show where light hits the surface.

In my bouquet painting, I paint thin white stems using gouache. This brings back the sparkle and clarity in the composition.

I also use a lighter blue for the vase's reflections, which gives the illusion of glass.

Tip #6: Splatter for Final Touches

Let's finish the piece with a fun and effective technique—splattering.

Splattering light paint, especially white, adds texture and draws attention. It works well over a darker background. I splatter white gouache around the center of the painting.

This step helps highlight the focal flower and makes the center area more lively.

To create interest, I vary the sizes of the splatters. Having a mix of large and small drops gives more texture and contrast. It's a simple way to add energy to the final piece without overdoing it.

It's a simple way to add energy to the final piece without overdoing it.

Wrapping Up

That's how I paint better backgrounds for my watercolor floral bouquets.

These steps, from wetting the paper and preparing paint to splattering, help create a balanced, beautiful scene that enhances the subject.

Which of these techniques will you try first in your next painting? Let me know in the comments or share your tips—I'd love to hear from you!