Paint Cherry Blossom Trees with Watercolors

If you’re a beginner in watercolor painting, creating beautiful cherry blossom trees can feel intimidating at first.

But as Kerrilyn Cheah often reassures her students, even the most delicate pink blooms become easy to paint when you break the process down step by step.

In today’s tutorial, Kerrilyn Cheah will guide you through every stage of the painting. By simplifying the shapes, understanding the shadows, and using gentle layering techniques, you’ll transform those soft blossoms into stunning watercolor art.

Materials Needed for Painting Cherry Blossom Trees

Before the painting process begins, it is helpful to go over the materials needed.

1. Watercolor Paints

When it comes to colors, cherry blossoms are usually painted with a mix of soft pinks and earthier shades for depth.

The artist prepares a few colors to give the painting variety. Here is the recommended palette:

• Pinks: These are the base colors for the blossoms, so it is helpful to have a variety of pinks available. Alizarin Crimson, a bright red pink, can be used to add vibrancy.
• Browns: For the tree trunks and darker shades in the petals, umber brown and sepia work great. These add warmth to the painting.
• Whites and Purples: A little white can help highlight specific areas, and purple can be used to add depth to the cherry blossoms.
• Yellow (optional): For added brightness and contrast, yellow can be included, especially in areas that catch the sunlight.

2. Brushes

A size 8 round brush is suitable for most of the work. This brush is perfect for making both delicate strokes and larger, more expressive ones.

Additionally, smaller brushes allow for capturing fine details, such as smaller branches.

3. Paper and Other Tools

For best results, good-quality watercolor paper is used. It should be thick enough to handle multiple layers of paint without warping.

A clean, soft eraser is also useful for lightening any sketch marks that are too dark.

Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Cherry Blossom Trees

Now that all materials are ready, the process of painting these cherry blossom trees can begin.

Step 1: Study the Reference Photo and Break it Down

When the artist first started painting trees, it was challenging to get the shapes and shadows right.

Through practice, it became clear that breaking the tree into parts helped a lot.

The process begins by studying a reference photo. In this case, a cherry blossom tree is chosen, perfect for spring.

The first step is to look at the structure of the tree. In this example, the tree is divided into several bunches of flowers, grouped into 4 sections:

• One large bunch at the bottom.
• Two mid-sized bunches of flowers.
• One tiny bunch towards the top.

The artist begins by sketching out the basic shapes of the clusters.

The blossoms in the photo have a somewhat rectangular shape, starting narrow on the right side and widening as they move left.

As the sketch is made, the gaps between the clusters of flowers are noted.

These small details are essential once painting begins, as they help create the natural flow of the tree.

Step 2: Study the Shadows and Light

Once the basic shapes are in place, the artist focuses on studying the shadows in the photo.

Shadows are essential in adding depth and realism to the painting.

In the reference photo, the light is coming from the top left, which means the shadows fall on the right side of the tree.

The artist notes where the shadows are darkest and where the light hits the flowers.

Darker areas can be seen on the bottom of the branches and some of the flowers. This becomes helpful when layering the paint to build contrast.

The general rule to follow is: if the light is coming from the top left, the shadows will be on the bottom right.

Step 3: Sketching the Tree Trunks and Branches

Once the shapes and shadows are established, it’s time to sketch the tree trunks.

The artist likes to use a different color, such as pink, to distinguish the trunks from the blossoms.

The tree trunks are not perfectly straight—they curve and bend naturally, which is key to making the tree look realistic.

The central trunks are drawn first; they are thicker and have gentle curves.

Smaller branches then branch off from these main trunks. When sketching, it is helpful to visualize how the trunks and branches connect with each other.

This makes it easier to see where the flowers will go and how the tree will naturally flow.

As the sketch continues, attention is given to the thickness of the trunks and branches.

The closest tree trunk to the viewer will appear the thickest, while the ones in the background will be thinner.

This creates depth and perspective in the painting.

Extra details such as smaller branches or twigs can be added, but without overdoing it at this stage.

Step 4: Lightly Sketch the Tree Shapes and Trunks

To give the watercolor cherry blossom trees a natural structure, the artist begins by lightly sketching the overall shapes of the trees with a pencil.

The outlines are kept loose and organic—similar to how the earlier trees were blocked out.

Next, the tree trunks are indicated lightly. These don’t need to be detailed; just a brief placement suggestion helps anchor the composition.

The sketching is kept very light to avoid pencil lines showing through the watercolor.

If needed, an eraser is used to dab and lift any darker areas gently. This step helps guide the watercolor strokes while maintaining a clean and delicate finish in the final painting.

Step 5: Painting the Cherry Blossoms

Now that the basic shapes are in place, it is time to bring the cherry blossoms to life with color. Here is how delicate, layered blooms can be created using watercolor.

Mixing the Artist’s Colors & Preparing Their Brush

The process starts by mixing some pinks. The artist uses Alizarin Crimson for the vibrant red tones, which bring the blossoms to life.

A size 8 brush is used—it is perfect for making both small and larger strokes.

Painting begins from the top of the tree, where the outer flowers are. The tip of the brush is used to create tiny, delicate strokes.

Lines are drawn in multiple directions—left, right, up, and down—to add a natural scattering effect to the petals.

Adding Layers & Building Depth

As the brush moves inward toward the center of the blossoms, slightly more pressure is applied on the belly of the brush to create thicker strokes.

The lines become wider as the painting moves deeper into the cluster. It’s all about varying the pressure to achieve different stroke sizes.

Plenty of white space is left between the strokes in the beginning, but as the painting moves toward the center and the blossoms become more crowded, the gaps are reduced.

Perfection is not the goal; the more random the placement, the more natural it appears.

Incorporating Shadows & Depth

Once the first bunch is finished, it’s time to add some depth. The direction of shadow has already been determined earlier.

More pigment is added particularly to the darker areas.

Since the first layer is still wet, extra color is dropped in—this allows the hues to blend beautifully, creating a soft transition.

A little brown (Sepia) is also added to deepen the shadows. If any harsh edges appear where pigments meet, they are blended out with a clean brush.

This step helps to create a more seamless, natural flow.

Moving to the Second Bunch of Blossoms

Next, the artist moves on to the second bunch of flowers, again using loose, random strokes.

The process is kept relaxed and intuitive. To make the colors a bit lighter, the brush can be washed or less pigment used.

When adding the second layer of color, less water and more pigment are used for richer tones.

It is important to work while the first layer is still wet so that the colors can connect seamlessly.

This ensures the tree does not look like two separate bunches. A touch of brown is added again to deepen the shadows.

Layering & Color

For beginners, it is helpful to stick to just two colors—such as pink and brown—until confidence builds.

Once more comfortable, other colors like purple or yellow can be added for extra depth.

When working on the third bunch, the tip of the brush is used to add smaller, delicate strokes.

Some gaps are left where the tree trunks will be added later.

Step 6: Layering & Adding Detail to the Cherry Blossoms

At this stage, the focus is on refining the shape and adding layers to bring more depth to the painting.

Assessing the Shape & Adjusting the Composition

Now it’s time to step back and evaluate the shape of the tree.

If the current shape feels off—for example, curving in a direction that doesn’t quite match the reference photo—the artist can adjust it, making it more natural by extending the branches downward, as in the picture.

The tree might feel incomplete at this stage because the trunk is not yet added, but once it is, the overall structure will look much more realistic.

Adding Shadows to Enhance Depth

As the painting continues, focus shifts to the shadows. These are crucial for grounding the tree and making it feel three-dimensional.

For the hanging clusters, shadows are added underneath each bunch. This step builds more contrast and helps the blossoms stand out.

Building Layers for Smooth Transitions

Once the first layer dries, it acts as a base for the rest of the painting. Additional layers are added on top.

The first layer provides a smooth background, while subsequent layers introduce texture and detail.

For the second layer, a smaller brush is used to add finer details, such as individual petals.

Areas closer to the shadows receive more detailed strokes, and larger brushstrokes are used toward the outer edges to create variation in size, adding depth and life to the blossoms.

Blending & Creating Smooth Transitions

If there is a harsh difference between the first and second layers, a clean brush is used to dab off excess water and gently blend the edges.

This ensures a smooth transition between layers and gives the painting a more polished, natural look.

Adding Final Details & Refining the Blossoms

With the blending complete, more details are added where needed.

Whether it involves adding more petals or deepening certain shadows, this step is about refining the painting to make it feel complete.

Colors are blended as the work continues, ensuring everything flows smoothly.

Step 7: Painting the Tree Trunks and Branches

Now that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it’s time to anchor everything by adding the tree trunks and branches.

Start with the Main Tree Trunk

The artist uses sepia, the same rich brown shade used before. Sepia is perfect for tree trunks—it has a warm, earthy tone that pairs beautifully with pink petals.

The artist refers back to the original sketch or reference photo to decide where to place the trunk.

Gaps within the blossoms are ideal places to tuck the trunk in.

The trunk is painted with a thicker, bolder tone than the blossoms to ground the composition.

To give the trunk a natural look, thinner lines are used at the top, and the brush is gradually pressed harder to create thicker strokes toward the bottom.

This mimics how real tree trunks taper. Stiff, straight lines are avoided; instead, bends and curves are added for personality.

Some parts of the trunk are extended so they disappear naturally into the blossom clusters, making it look like the tree is tucked within the petals.

Painting Branches with Broken Lines

Next, the thinner branches are painted, mostly using just the tip of a size 8 brush.

If a larger brush without a fine tip is being used, a smaller one can be substituted here.

These finer branches should appear light and airy, so lines are often broken rather than drawn as continuous strokes.

They peek through the blossoms and visually connect the tree together.

Branches are drawn so they grow out from the main trunks, creating the iconic cherry tree silhouette.

Each small branch is connected back to a main trunk—no random floating lines.

Adding Depth with Contrast

To make the tree trunks more dimensional, darker tones are added to the bendy parts—especially around Y-shaped intersections and curves.

This extra shading brings the tree to life and adds character.

If any line feels too harsh, a clean brush is used to soften the edge by blending it slightly.

Step 8: Add Final Touches and Splatter Effects for a Vibrant Finish

This final layer brings everything together and makes the cherry blossom tree truly come alive.

Fill in the Gaps with Petals for More Depth

The artist returns to Alizarin Crimson to fill the small gaps left around the tree trunk.

These small areas of broken lines can look odd at first, but once blossoms are added, they create the illusion that petals are layered in front of the trunk—just like in real life.

Petal clusters are added here and there, overlapping with the branches.

This pushes the trunk into the background and pulls the blossoms forward, creating beautiful depth and dimension.

These last blossoms add texture and character, making the cherry blossom tree look more natural and full of life.

The tree is painted in a spontaneous and free manner; it does not need to match the reference exactly.

Step Back and Adjust What Feels Off

Adjust what feels off

Once the last blossoms are added, the artist stands up and takes a few steps back.

This provides a clearer view of the overall shape and balance.

If any large gaps or awkward spaces are noticeable, they are filled with additional petals.

Even if the painting looked strange earlier, it often comes together once the trunk and final petal details are added. Trusting the process is important.

Optional: Add a Touch of Yellow for Warmth

If the painting looks a little dull at this stage, soft touches of yellow paint can be dropped in—not too bold, just gentle hints.

A fresh puddle of yellow is mixed and dabbed here and there, especially around the outer edges and in shadowy spots.

This mimics sunlight filtering through the petals and gives the tree a warm, glowing feel.

Add a Gentle Splatter Effect

For the finishing touch, a splatter effect is added.

Pigment (both red and yellow) is watered down, and the brush is tapped over the paper to create tiny dots of paint.

In A Nutshell

And there it is—a cherry blossom tree in watercolor. While it might seem tricky at first, with practice the artist will gain more confidence and skill in adding beautiful details.

The painting does not need to look exactly like the reference photo; each tree will have its own character.

The brush can be picked up, the painting begun, and creativity allowed to flow freely.

Anyone who wants to share a cherry blossom painting can leave a comment—this kind of artwork is always a joy to see.