Lavender in a Mason Jar: Easy Watercolor Tutorial for All Levels

If you want to paint beautiful lavender with watercolors but don't know where to start, you're in the right place.

In this guide, I'll walk you through every step, from the materials you'll need to the final touches, so you can create a dreamy lavender scene in a mason jar. Ready to dive in and start painting?

Let's go!

Materials You Will Need for Painting Lavender

Let's talk about the materials before we jump into the painting process. Having the right supplies is key to making this tutorial smooth and enjoyable.

Watercolors

For painting lavender, I'll use two shades of purple: dioxazine purple (a bluish-purple) and red-violet (a warmer, reddish-purple). These two colors help create depth and variation in the lavender.

Next, I'm mixing sap green and a bit of brown pink for the leaves to create a muted green that complements the purples beautifully.

I use yellow ochre and burnt umber to capture the natural tones for the rope around the mason jar.

And for the shadows in the jar, neutral tint and indigo give it that soft, transparent look.

Brushes

I use three different brush sizes:

• Size 10 for larger areas and the background.
• Size 8 for detailed areas like the lavender and leaves.
• Size 6 for fine lines and extra details.

Paper

I recommend using cold press 100% cotton, 300gsm paper. This type of paper absorbs water well and gives the watercolor texture its full potential.

Additional Tools

Lastly, a white ink pen is handy for adding final highlights and your mason jar reference to guide you through painting the jar.

Step-by-Step Process of Painting Lavender

Now that your materials are ready, it's time to start the painting. I'll break it down into easy-to-follow steps.

Preparing the Sketch and Background

First, sketch a simple outline of the lavender and mason jar. This doesn't need to be overly detailed; it's just a guideline for your painting. 

Once the sketch is ready, grab your size 10 brush and wet the area where you'll paint the lavender.

I use the wet-on-wet technique, where I wet the paper first and let the water soak in a little bit.

Painting the Lavender

Let's move on to the most exciting part—painting the lavender! I always enjoy this step because the colors come together beautifully.

I start by picking up my size 10 brush. I wet the area above the mason jar with clean water where I want the lavender to be.

After that, I let the water sit for a moment so it can sink into the paper. Then, I switch to a size 8 brush to begin painting the flowers.

I mix bluish-purple, reddish-purple, and a touch of indigo on my palette. This mix gives me a rich and balanced lavender tone that I love.

Once the color is ready, I paint directly onto the wet paper.

I ensure not to overload my brush with water—if there's too much, the color spreads too far. The right amount gives me better control.

If you find it's spreading too much, just dab your brush dry and reload it with more pigment.

Now, let's talk about the shape. A lavender flower is made of a tall stem with tiny buds coming out along the sides.

So when I paint, I keep that in mind. I use short, rounded strokes to suggest those tiny buds.

Some buds are smaller at the top, and they get a little larger as they go down the stem. I sketch that basic shape directly onto the paper with the brush.

I notice my paper starts to warp a little because of the water, but that's fine—it won't ruin the painting. 

I keep going and add in the lavender shapes one by one. Some flowers are taller, some shorter. I paint one coming up higher and then another one stopping a bit lower.

I place them at different heights to make the composition more natural. Around the middle area, I leave some spaces to add the stems later.

Then, I add more water to my brush to get a lighter tone and continue painting the next few flowers.

After that, I grab my size 6 brush to add tiny splatters across the area. These little specks create a beautiful, soft texture in the background.

Keep adding some details. At this point, the lavender starts to take shape. What you'll see is a dreamy, blurred shape of the flowers.

It looks soft, natural, and delicate, like real lavender blowing gently in the breeze.

Painting the Leaves and Stems

Now, it's time to add some greenery and balance the composition.

I mix sap green with yellow ochre for a warm, natural green. Then, I lightly wet the area again before painting the stems.

I carefully place the green strokes, adding a touch between the flowers—not too much, just enough to suggest the structure.

I wait a little for the area to dry so the paint won't spread too much. While it dries, I grab some neutral tint and paint soft shadows inside the jar using a very light wash.

I blend it gently, then use the sharp tip of my size 6 brush to define the jar's outline, keeping the shape clean and delicate.

Adding Details to Lavender

Now that the paper is drier, I add more texture and detail to the lavender.

Before painting, I use a clean brush to lift extra water. I blot it on a paper towel, then roll the brush lightly over the lavender area.

This helps create a mix of wet and dry spots on the paper. It's a simple trick, but it gives a stunning effect.

Next, I pick up some color and begin painting. As I work down the shape, I notice some parts stay dry and crisp while others soften into the wet paper. This contrast adds depth and texture.

I add a few light splatters for interest, then let it dry again. At this stage, it's all about layering and building up rich textures in the lavender.

Painting the Jar and Rope

Now, I focus on the jar. I leave the center as the white area and paint the rope using yellow ochre. 

I use burnt umber for shadows, keeping it darker near the back and around the knot. I blend the edges softly, then draw a few simple lines to finish the rope.

Adding Details to the Stems

Now that the area is dry, I draw a few fine lines to shape the stems. I mix sap green with a neutral tint to get a darker green. Then I carefully extend the lines out to build more depth and definition.

Keeping Layering the Lavender

Now, I return to the lavender and add even more tiny buds to define it better. This is my third layer, and I love how layering slowly brings out textures and interest.

Some edges stay soft, while others are sharper, which creates a lovely balance. I don't fill in every blurred area—just a few parts.

In a blank spot, I lightly paint a few stems. Then, I mix a little neutral tint to deepen the shadows and help the petals pop.

I focus on the darker shade near the inner stem and shadow areas. I step back to check the overall painting, and I'm happy with how it looks now.

Completing the Jar

Now, I leave the lavender and return to working on the jar. I switch to a bigger brush—this one is size 8. I mix a neutral tint with a bit of purple to create a soft, light shade.

Then, I gently paint the shadows of the jar. After that, I use my size 10 brush to blend it all out.

I don't use a reference photo, but you can always search for “glass jar” on Pinterest or Google if unsure. Look closely at how the light and shadows fall on the jar.

I follow what feels right, painting the darker shadow areas based on instinct.

I like leaving light through the glass, so I add a bit of yellow ochre and softly blend it in. 

There's also a circle in the center of the jar—I draw it using broken lines. I leave white space around it to keep the jar transparent and light.

Now, I add a mix of yellow ochre and brown to paint the shadows. I blend it out nicely. Then, I fill the white space inside the jar with a bit of green to show the lavender stems.

I draw the stems going downward, making them thicker at the bottom. I mix in dark and light greens to create depth. 

Then, let’s draw the words. 

Finally, I add a few extra touches to make them more interesting. To finish, I use a very light mix of yellow ochre and a touch of neutral tint to draw the outer edge of the jar.

Adding Final Touches

For the final steps, I grab a white ink pen to bring back some highlights, especially on the lavender stems.

Next, I add more lines to the string for extra detail. A few final lines here and there help create contrast. 

We’ve completed our Lavender in a Mason Jar painting—well done! Take a step back and admire your beautiful work.

Final Thoughts

With a bit of patience and the proper techniques, you can paint beautiful lavender with watercolor.

It's all about layering, experimenting with wet-on-wet techniques, and adding those final touches to bring your painting to life.

Have fun with the process, and remember to step back occasionally to assess your work. Keep practicing, and soon, you'll be painting more beautiful floral scenes!