Are you ready to paint a beautiful, simple watercolor flower? I'll guide you step-by-step using easy techniques and tools you can find anywhere.
Whether you're new to watercolor or want a fun project, I promise this is simple and enjoyable. Let's gather our materials and start creating something lovely together!
Contents
Gather Your Materials
Before we start painting this simple watercolor flower, let me walk you through the materials I use. These tools help create soft textures and beautiful blends—perfect for beginners!
For the paper, I use:
- Centenaire watercolor paper. It's 100% cotton, 300 gsm, and cold-pressed. This paper holds water well and gives a lovely texture to the painting.
For colors, I choose White Nights watercolors in:
- Indigo
- Sepia
- Burnt Sienna
I also use three brushes:
- PanArt No. 8 mop round brush
- Raphael No. 8 round brush
- PanArt No. 4 detail brush
To finish things off, I add some gray colored pencil (almost black), white gouache, and a bit of salt to give the flower more texture.
Now that we're all set, let's jump into painting!
Step 1: Paint the Main Flower
Let's start painting the main flower. I keep things simple and loose so it's easy to follow, even if you're just starting.
Begin with a Light Spray of Water
First, I spray some clean water on the paper. I don't overthink this—I just do it randomly with a spray bottle. This step helps create beautiful effects later.
The water softens the edges and lets the paint bleed naturally, which gives the flower a lovely, organic look.
Paint the First Petal
Now, I mix Indigo and Sepia to get a rich, dark color. I use that to paint the first petal. I like to keep things a little random here.
I use:
- The belly of the brush to press the paint down onto the paper
- The tip of the brush to add more pigment in certain spots
This way, the paint blends beautifully and creates soft floral textures. I don't try to make the shape perfect—that's the charm of this loose watercolor style.
Add Burnt Sienna for Warmth
Next, I bring in some Burnt Sienna. It mixes so well with the dark gray color I've made. I love how this color combo looks—it gives the flower more depth and contrast.
Leave the Center White and Add Splashes
I make sure to leave the center of the flower white. That highlight brings the flower to life. Then, I splash some clean water and drop dark gray over the flower. This gives it a loose, fresh look.
Paint the Stem
Finally, I paint the stem using the same dark gray mix. I let the water on the paper do its magic, watching the pigment bleed and form soft textures.
Step 2: Add Smaller Flowers and Finishing Touches
Now that the main flower is done, I like to fill the space with a few tiny flowers and details. This makes the whole piece look more complete and fun.
Paint Small Flowers with a Light Touch
First, I paint the stem.
Next to the big flower, I paint a small branch with a few tiny blooms. I already have some water sitting on the paper from earlier, which is perfect.
The paint spreads softly into the water, creating beautiful pleats and bleeds I love.
I use just the tip of my brush to make these little flowers. The shapes are simple and loose. The paint flows naturally because the paper has a lot of water. I let it do its thing.
Connect the Flowers with Loose Stems
I connect the little flowers to the main flower using a smaller brush. But I don't draw a solid line. Instead, I create broken and loose lines. Not every flower has to connect directly. This keeps the painting feeling light and airy.
Add Color and Final Splatters
I pick up a bit of burnt sienna again and dab it here and there on the smaller flowers—just tiny touches to bring some warmth and interest.
Then I add more clean water splatters, especially now that some paint has started to dry. I also splatter more of that dark gray mix (indigo and sepia) for an extra layer of texture.
Step 3: Final Details and Enhancements
We're almost done! It's time to add some final touches to bring out the texture and give the painting more life.
Add Salt for Texture
I sprinkle a little bit of salt on the petals of the big flower. This step is fun and adds lovely texture when it dries. But it's essential to let it dry naturally. Don't use a hair dryer—otherwise, the salt effect won't work.
Use Colored Pencil for Extra Detail
Once everything is completely dry, I take a colored pencil. I don't sharpen it. I want the tip to be dull so I can make thicker lines. I like the soft, spent look it gives.
I add these pencil lines to the big flower and stem to give them more character. I don't follow the exact watercolor shapes. I draw beside the petals, not directly over them. I also sketch a few tiny florals and stems with the pencil.
Finish with White Gouache Splatters
To wrap it up, I add a few white gouache splatters and tiny details here and there. That little bit of white makes everything pop.
Now that we've added all the finishing touches, the painting feels complete and full of texture.
Wrapping Up
Painting this simple watercolor flower is a fun way to practice loose, natural techniques. With just a few materials and easy steps, you can create beautiful textures and details that bring your artwork to life.
Give it a try, enjoy the process, and watch your skills grow with each brushstroke!