White Peony
Watercolor Painting Tutorial

by Jennifer Branch
White Peony Watercolor Painting tutorial

Painting Tutorial Level

Advanced
Advanced
Beginner

Skill Building

NegativePainting

Strong Darks

Glazing Washes

Art Supplies

10" x 14"
Twinrocker Cold Press

Isabey Pointed Round Sable, no.14

Paints

M. Graham watercolors

Azo Yellow
Cadmium Yellow
Quinacridone Red
Maroon Perylene
Cadmium Red
Quinacridone Gold
Pthalo Green
Pthalo Blue
Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Viridian
Cobalt Teal
Ultramarine Pink
Burnt Sienna
Masking Fluid

Painting Demonstration 1

White Peony Watercolor Painting Lesson 1

First, I sketch out the painting. I use a small amount of wax crayon to reserve white.

Remember, wax cannot be removed!

Painting Demonstration 2

White Peony Watercolor Painting Lesson 2

I keep the initial wash light, pulling golden light into shadowed areas on the white flower.

Painting Demonstration 3

White Peony Painting Tutorial 3

Darker on the second wash, not letting the painting dry in between washes.

I pull the background into the flower in some places and define the contrast between them in other places.

Artist Tips

When you scrub the paper with a rag, you ruin the texture of the paper. Save this step for near the end!
White Peony watercolor painting tutorial by Jennifer Branch

Painting Demonstration 4

White Peony Painting Tutorial 4

Everything still wet, but drying fast since it's outside. I redefine some edges, blur some.

The tricky part with a white flower like a peony is leaving enough white. Keep the strokes loose but less is more in the flower.

It rained after this wash! So I ran inside and finished the painting the next day. I finished up in my studio - the peonies weren't looking their best after the rain.

White Peony Watercolor Painting demonstration

To purchase White Peony original watercolor painting, please click!


White Peony Final Watercolor Painting!



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