Tutorial: Pansies, A Watercolor Tutorial for Intermediate Painters

Pansies are a great subject for developing control and confidence in watercolor. This step-by-step tutorial is designed for intermediate watercolor painters and focuses on how to paint complimentary colors without creating mud, and how to add a soft, wet-on-wet background to an existing artwork.

You’ll work on shaping each petal with careful strokes, blending smooth transitions, and preserving light areas to keep the flower luminous. These techniques carry over well into other floral and botanical work.

The 37-minute lesson is straightforward and flexible. Follow along slowly, or move through it at a quicker pace if you prefer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1cFnrCSNjY

Materials

• round brush size 8

• smaller detail brush

• white paper towel

• 8x10in watercolor paper 140lb cold press with inkjet printed sketch (download below)

paint colors :

• ultramarine blue

• violet (or mix ultramarine and crimson)

• sap green

• cadmium yellow light

• cerulean blue

You can download and print the pansy sketch directly onto watercolor paper using an inkjet printer. Let the ink fully dry before you begin painting.

If you’re in Maryland, Northern Virginia, or Washington, DC and want more personalized instruction, I also offer private watercolor lessons in person at your home, a local park, or a cozy coffee shop. Group events are available too. Check out those here.

Grab your paints and enjoy learning how to blend complimentary colors in watercolor.