Painting White Daisies Made Simple: Step-by-Step Watercolor Guide

What if painting delicate white daisies was easier than you think? I show you how to capture their soft shadows and natural beauty step by step.

From mixing the perfect grey to adding the final touches of greenery, I guide you through each part with simple techniques you can try today.

Let’s bring these fresh flowers to life on your paper!

Step 1: Mixing the Perfect Grey for White Daisies

Painting white flowers on white paper sounds tricky at first. But in nature, white isn’t just plain white—it’s made up of soft shadows in grey, yellow, and other colors.

So, to paint the white daisies, I will start by mixing the perfect grey.

Sometimes, I simply gather leftover paints from my palette and mix them all together. That usually gives me a nice neutral grey.

But if you don’t have any leftover colors, I'll show you another way.

I mix three primary colors:

• Gamboge yellow

• Permanent red

• Ultramarine blue (I prefer this for its lovely granulated texture)

I carefully balance these colors until the grey doesn’t look too red, yellow, or blue. 

Testing on scrap paper helps me find the right mix. If the grey feels too warm, I add more ultramarine blue. I avoid making it too blue, aiming for a soft, natural grey.

Step 2: Diluting the Grey Mix for Petals

Now that I have my grey mix, I test how it looks when diluted with water. This lighter grey feels just right for painting delicate white daisy petals.

To get this, I squeeze some water into the mix and stir gently until it’s a soft, light grey.

This diluted grey will give the petals their subtle shadows and shapes without overpowering the white paper beneath.

Step 3: Painting the First Daisy

I begin by painting the center of the daisy with small yellow dots. This sets the base for the flower’s middle.

Next, I switch to my diluted grey mix for the petals. I lightly touch the yellow center with the tip of my brush, then apply gentle pressure before releasing it. 

Using a paper towel to remove extra water helps keep the strokes clean and controlled.

I repeat this for each petal—dipping the brush in the grey mix, touching the yellow area, pressing, and releasing.

Moving my wrist in different directions lets me create natural, varied petal shapes. Sometimes, I accidentally dip into my bold mix, which adds some nice variation.

Now, I’m ready to paint another daisy from a different angle. Let’s keep going!

Step 4: Painting a Tilted Daisy

While the first daisy dries, I paint another one tilted toward us. I begin by making yellow dotted lines in the middle, using a smaller brush for details.

Then, I switch to a bigger brush with my greyish mix to create the petals. I use the tip and belly of the brush, applying pressure and then releasing it.

Sometimes, my brush leaves dry strokes, which I like and keep—they add texture.

I experiment by dragging the grey into the yellow center, which pulls some yellowish color into the petals. I also try pressing lightly to make narrower petals, adding variety.

If I spot stray petals, I dry my brush on a paper towel. 

Then, I use a damp brush to soften the edges.  

This technique gives the petals a natural look.

Step 5: Painting Another Daisy with a Twist

While the other daisies dry, I paint a new one with a nice twist in the petals. For a bit of variety, I add a few red dots to my grey mix—if you have orange, that works great, too!

I dip my brush into the mix, then apply and release pressure repeatedly. 

Sometimes, lifting the brush quickly creates a dry brush stroke, adding texture. But if I want a smoother, more refined petal, I lift the brush carefully and slowly.

The way you move your brush changes the look of each petal, giving your daisies a lively, natural feel.

Step 6: Layering for Transparency

Now, I return to the first flower because it needs one more petal on top of the others. This creates a beautiful transparency effect, which is my favorite. 

I add more petals to the second daisy with gentle pressure and release to keep that light, see-through look. This layering adds depth and makes the petals look delicate and natural.

Step 7: Painting the Daisy Stems

Now, it’s time to add stems to our daisies. Since I’ve used three primary colors today, I want to keep it consistent and mix the stems from primaries, too.

I mix ultramarine blue with gamboge yellow to create a muted green, which works perfectly for the stems.

I start with the easiest stem, imagining its path before painting it. I plan the stem from the flower’s center downwards for the front daisy.

For the tilted daisy, I picture the stem coming from the middle, weaving between the petals, then back out again. This helps the stems look natural and connected to each flower.

Step 8: Adding Final Greenery with Dry Brush

I add some typical daisy greenery using a dry brush technique to finish. I remove extra water from my brush with a paper towel, then make soft, dry brush strokes around the flowers. This creates a natural, messy look that brings the daisies to life. 

Now, my painting feels complete with fresh energy. 

Wrapping Up

Now, you’ve learned how to paint white daisies with soft greys, gentle layers, and natural touches. These simple steps help capture their delicate beauty and make your painting come alive.

Keep experimenting with brush pressure and colors to add your style. Thanks for painting with me—I can’t wait to see your fresh, lovely daisies!