Watercolor Botanical Painting: Peony

Name: Watercolor Botanical Painting: Peony
Rating: 4.6 (94 reviews)

From sketch to painting - 6 different peonies

Created byAudrey Ra

Last updated 2/2019

English

What you'll learn

8 sections • 29 lectures • 4h 25m total length

Welcome1:57
Sketch, ink, trace, and paint peonies using wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, layering, negative painting, and glazing to build watercolor botanical skills. Paint from photo references or freehand, with downloadable sketches and supply lists.

Sketching Supplies1:52
Sketch the peony from reference photos with a pencil sketch. Transfer the paper sketch to tracing paper for a watercolor-ready transfer, using archival ink to preserve the lines.
Sketching Peony #1 (pink peony)17:07
Sketch a pink peony by locating the center, using circles as guides to form layered petals, highlight folds and side views, and add leaves later.
Sketching the Peony buds3:43
Sketching Peony #2 (purple peony)16:50
Begin the sketch from the center with circles, map multiple peony petal layers, and practice folds, while embracing imperfect lines before transferring to tracing paper.
Sketching Peony #3 (coral peony)15:42
Sketch a coral peony by starting at the center and layering petals with concentric circles. Build the flower outward, then clean up sketches and trace with ink onto tracing paper.

Inking your sketches8:15
Tracing your sketches7:31
Learn how to transfer inked sketches onto watercolor paper using tracing paper and a light pad, secured with washi tape, for accurate transfer.
Transferring onto watercolor paper7:47
Transfer your peony sketch onto watercolor paper using a light box and tracing paper, secure with washi tape, erase lightly with a kneaded eraser, and avoid oils on paper.

Painting supplies2:13
Painting the first layer14:14
Let's paint the pink peony together! If you want to use the sketch I'm using, feel free to download this sketch to paint yourself. Make sure to follow the steps for transferring onto watercolor paper.
Painting the second layer5:06
Painting the third layer4:38
Deepen the peony in this third layer by applying a watered-down pink, focusing on dark centers and petal junctions, with a faint wash on folded areas and color testing.
Painting the fourth layer11:39
Apply subtle shadows to peony petals with a faint gray wash, using a spray bottle, then outline inner petals with pink-red to create 3-D depth.
Fine details8:15
Learn to paint a peony in watercolor using mostly paint and a small brush for fine lines, then deepen color with a dark red pink mix and glaze areas.
Leaves and Stem17:34
Learn to paint leaves with a light green base, deepen with brownish greens, and use negative painting around veins to create depth and realism in watercolor botanical painting.
Final details5:28
Finish the watercolor botanical painting by adding subtle color to petals, glazing leaves, defining petals with careful brushwork, and applying negative painting while knowing when to stop.
Painting the Pink Peony

First layer part 113:42
Let's paint the purple peony together! If you want to use the sketch I'm using, feel free to download this sketch to paint yourself. Make sure to follow the steps for transferring onto watercolor paper.
First layer part 214:06
Second layer11:18
Observe the second layer of the peony, deepen center tones, add veins to petals for curvature, and employ dry brush technique and glazing to boost contrast.
Glazing and final details11:09
Master watercolor glazing and final details to render a peony with yellow ochre highlights, magenta glazes, and layered washes, while maintaining vein detail and leaf depth.
Painting the Purple Peony

First layer part 111:12
Let's paint the coral peony together! If you want to use the sketch I'm using, feel free to download this sketch to paint yourself. Make sure to follow the steps for transferring onto watercolor paper.
First layer part 25:33
Apply the first watercolor layer on the peony, let it dry, then add the second layer to refine the stamen, leaves, and stump.
Deepening Colors7:25
Apply a light yellow ochre wash over the peony, then deepen colors with shadows, outline petals, and separate them for definition using negative painting and fine lines, before refining leaves.
Stem, Leaves, and Final Details7:45
Glaze soft green leaves with sap green for subtle vein color. Use light glazes to deepen tones, add warm yellows, lightly outline petals and stamen.
Painting the Coral Peony

Basic Watercolor supplies; paint; cold-pressed paper; round brush sizes 4, 2, and 00
HB pencil, sketch paper, Micron pen size 01 (or other fineliner pen)
Optional: Light pad, kneaded eraser, tracing paper

Welcome to my class on how to paint the peony in the botanical style!

I'll teach you overall principles and techniques so that you can apply them to other subjects of your own.
I'll demonstrate exactly how I sketch my peonies. Soon, you'll be able to sketch any peony that you desire!
I'll take you step-by-step to paint three large peonies and three smaller buds. And we'll be using a variety of styles to accomplish this: wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, glazing, negative painting, layering, and more.
We'll use photo references for all but one of the peonies because I want you to have the creative freedom to paint how you want to paint!
Make sure to download my list of supplies in the class downloads. In addition, if you want to use my line drawing sketches for the class, you can find them in the downloads, too.

So grab your supplies, and let's paint together!