Sunflower Watercolor Painting Guide

Vincent van Gogh painted his iconic sunflower works in the 1880s, and ever since, this subject has continued to captivate artists. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create loose, expressive watercolor sunflowers using only a limited palette.

How to Paint Watercolor Sunflowers

This tutorial focuses on capturing sunflowers in a relaxed and vibrant abstract style with watercolor.

Equipment
Princeton round detail brush 9650R-2
Princeton Heritage Series 4050 round brush
Watercolor palette
Binder clips for holding watercolor paper in place
Adjustable tabletop easel

Materials
Ultramarine Blue from Winsor and Newton or Daniel Smith
New Gamboge from Winsor and Newton or Daniel Smith
Burnt Umber from Winsor and Newton or Daniel Smith
Arches cold press watercolor paper block 9 by 12 inches 140 lb

How to Paint Abstract Watercolor Sunflowers Step by Step

Step 1
Because this painting style relies on energy and spontaneity, it’s important to apply color quickly. To make the process smoother, prepare your colors ahead of time and place them in separate sections of your palette.

Create a mid-tone green by mixing about seventy percent New Gamboge with thirty percent Ultramarine. The mixture should be diluted to a light, tea-like consistency so it flows easily. For the flower centers, prepare a darker neutral tone by blending Burnt Umber with a small amount of Ultramarine to achieve a creamy texture.

Tilt your paper slightly, around thirty degrees. Using a larger round brush, paint three loose sunflower shapes with New Gamboge. Focus on the overall form rather than individual petals. A synthetic brush with some spring works especially well for creating these lively shapes.

Step 2
Load your brush with the prepared green and paint the stems. Let the yellow and green merge naturally on the paper. Avoid overworking the paint, as too much brushing can reduce the freshness and looseness of the piece.

Step 3
Add a few leaves along the stems. Position them slightly unevenly rather than placing them directly opposite each other. Connect each leaf to the stem using a fine line.

Step 4
Continue painting additional stems and leaves in the same manner. Introduce occasional darker greens to add variation in tone. This technique, known as a variegated wash, helps create a more natural and dynamic look, as real-life colors are rarely uniform.

Step 5
Allow the painting to dry slightly before proceeding, so the colors do not spread uncontrollably. Check for moisture by observing any shine on the paper or lightly touching it to see if it feels cool.

Switch to a smaller detail brush and use the Burnt Umber and Ultramarine mixture to paint the seed centers. The addition of Ultramarine softens the warmth of Burnt Umber, creating a balanced neutral tone that contrasts nicely with the bright petals.

Step 6
To add depth, apply light glazes of New Gamboge over parts of the petals. Since watercolor is transparent, layering will naturally deepen the color as the underlying paint shows through, enhancing the sense of form and dimension.