Who doesn’t love bright and beautiful sunflowers, slowly turning to keep their faces in the warmth of the sunshine.  They are so easy to grow and I usually have a few in my garden.  The seedheads are then left on as snacks for the birds at the end of summer. I personally love the contrast between their bright and bold petals and the dark textured centre of the flower. So come and join me and let’s celebrate this iconic flower with a step by step tutorial.

Materials

200 lb Bockingford NOT paper

Drawing pencil

Daniel Smith –  Opera Pink (I used the watercolour stick but regular paint is fine)

Winsor and Newton Cotman – Turquoise & Cadmium Yellow Hue & Alizarin Crimson (Bromleys watercolour paint has been discontinued)

Watercolour pencils (optional)

Size 10 round brush

Step 1

I’m using this photo taken of sunflowers in my garden last year. I focused on the flower to the far left as I feel it’s an interesting angle.

This tutorial uses a simple sketch to guide our painting but please keep the sketch light and don’t be constrained by it – if you want to paint outside the lines then please do.

We will be using  the wet in wet technique, which simply means adding more colour when the paint is still wet. It works particularly well in this piece and creates interest without having to add every detail.

Using the photo to guide you, lightly sketch out the main shapes of the flower. Do not worry about the details as we will use the paint to create these.  

Step 2

Load your brush with some rich yellow paint and roughly paint in the petals.  You can vary the colour of yellow by mixing it with some of the Alizarin Crimson or some of the Opera Pink to give some orangey tones too.

Step 3

Whilst the yellow paint is still wet add some Alizarin Crimson into the petals towards the centre, also add some Opera Pink into some of the petals.  Just let the paint mingle into the wet yellow paint, you will get some lovely effects.  Do not be tempted to try and fiddle with your brush or to control where the paint is going. Let go of the control.

Step 4

As the paint starts to dry mix a deep purple using Alizarin Crimson and Turquoise. Paint around the outside edge of the centre.  Be careful near the wet petals. Allow the paint to touch some areas but don’t let the purple take over the yellow. Test on a separate piece of paper to practice this effect.

Then add a circle of Opera Pink inside this purple circle.  Leave a circle of clear paper towards the centre. Again this will flow into the dark purple to give texture.

Step 5

As the Opera Pink starts to soak into the paper mix up a bright green using the Cadmium Yellow and a little Turquoise.  Paint this into the remaining area of the flower centre.  You want it to run into the pink a little but not to overwhelm it.  Again, don’t be tempted to fiddle let the paint work its magic.

Step 6

Whilst the flower is drying a little, use your mixed green to paint in the stem and a some leaves. Whilst the leaf is still wet use the top end of the brush or a toothpick to scrape in some vein details.  The paint will run into the indents to give a nice effect.

Add some darker green (add more Turquoise to the light green) to paint a shadow into the stem.

Step 7

If you like you can also use the green paint to add in a bud. These are so pretty. Paint a loose background and then add details using the watercolour pencil whilst the paint is still wet.

Step 8

I added a little hoverfly just because.  I kept it very simple by painting a yellow body and a purple head and some purple stripes. Finally, I added some turquoise wings and then some legs using a pencil.

You can then spatter some Opera Pink paint by loading your brush with paint and flicking it over the paper to give a feeling of texture and energy.

Step back and decide whether your painting is finished. As always, err on the side of caution as you don’t want to overwork your piece. If in doubt –  stop.

And there you have it – a  bold and beautiful sunflower. I’d love to see what you create and hear any feedback.