Forsythias are one of those lovely flowers that announces the arrival of spring. The thought of Forsythia blossoms always brings back such happy memories of my childhood!
Today we are painting watercolor flowers: Forsythia, with a paint brush,and a…STRAW!
Ready to welcome spring?
This is the 3rd of our Paint Watercolor Flower series- the colorful flowers tutorial is here-
*Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
and the bubble paint hydrangea flowers tutorial is here-
Materials and tools –
- paper : UPDATE- I now only use better quality watercolor paper that doesn’t buckle! I really like this Strathmore and this Canson watercolor paper.
- brushes: I like using brushes with a nice pointed tip for watercolors, they are great for washes, and for finer details
- watercolor paint : you don’t have to buy the most expensive kinds to start painting . There are many good watercolor sets for budding artists. A white plastic plate is also great for mixing colors
- a dish to hold water for wetting and rinsing brushes
- a straw! =)
First, we are going to paint the branches. Start by making a puddle of deep brown color, then blow on the little puddle with a straw.
Repeat this process to create a few branches-
When all the branches are created, we can start painting the flowers and new leaves!
This is done with a brush. Forsythias have 4 petals, and the leaves are small, like all the new leaves of spring.
I also used the splatter paint method used in the watercolor fall tree painting!
At the end, I added some deep brown color to base of the branches for more contrast.
Has spring arrived yet where you are? Here are a couple of fun things to do this spring-
Make a strawberry Tower with recycled garden pots!
Start seeds for your garden with this simple trick!
Happy dreaming about spring and see you soon! =)
This is adorable! Can’t wait to put in practice your straw technique, it sound fun! 🙂
Thank You! I’ve just tried out this tutorial and my version of the flowers turned out beautifully! I have the perfect frame for it 🙂
thank you can!! thrilled to hear that! =)
Aside from the fact that I am totally ready for spring, I have embraced your previous tutorials and have drawn a handmade birthday card for my mom today (even had the guts to post it…). So happy about the fact that I found the time to let go, take colors in hand to paint/draw. Thank you, thank you so much for all the inspiration and encouragements via your blog 🙂
i LOVED your painting!! thank you so much my dear friend!! xo
This is incredible! I love the technique – so creative!!!
thank you brynne! xo
You make it look effortless! Beautiful pieces. I have tried to watercolor a few times, but never happy with the results… I am inspired to try again , THANKS
Wow I love the way you show a step by step process, it makes it look possible even to someone like me who is challenged in this department 🙂
This looks really fresh and pretty. Another excuse to get my watercolours out and have a play. Your instructions are crystal clear and even I can manage to paint someting nice if I follow your step by step. x
thank you my dear friend! i bet you have lovely forsythias in your garden! xo
Why, oh why, oh why, do you drive me crazy with this incredible amount of creativeness you have? Ananda, seriously, I just want to come over, grab a paint brush and say “Show Me how!!!!!” No…I won’t do it until you show me and I’m sitting right beside you!! Because I want it to be as beautiful as this! Pinned to my DIY board + others! xoxo
come right now! we will paint and cook- really all we need in life right?? xo
This is beautiful, pinning and also passing on to my teenager, who loves finding easy to follow tutorials on art.
thank you katy! have fun! =)
These are beautiful! I remember the splatter trees project and it was beautiful as well.
jessica
http://teamwiking.com
thank you jessica! this is even easier =)
That is awesome! I so wish I could do something like that. I guess you never really know until you try.
definitely! =)
Pretty! I’ve been wanting to try painting for a while. It seems like it would be so relaxing. And when you’re done you get something to decorate your house with! =)
thank you miranda! =)
you are so talented and creative… you are inspiring me to create my own water color painting… it looks so simple and so pretty.. thanks for sharing ;o)
thank you my dear friend! =)
This looks so cool. I wanna try it but I’m sure my result will be a mess!