In this two-part intermediate to advanced tutorial, we’ll take a deep dive into painting a soft pink peony in watercolour.
Using a limited triadic palette, you’ll explore how to build realistic form and texture one petal at a time.
The focus is on control, colour layering, and creating softness while maintaining clarity in your painting.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to simplify a complex flower without losing its essence
- Techniques for painting individual petals using wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry methods
- Charging colour into wet areas for variation and vibrancy
- Layering soft glazes to build depth
- Managing edges and controlling blooms
Artist’s Insight:
This tutorial is all about slowing down and working with care. Each petal gets your full attention as you gently build shape and colour.
The peony is a tricky flower with its ruffled petals and delicate light shifts, but Louise walks you through each step to keep things achievable.
The triadic palette of Permanent Rose, Transparent Yellow, and Antwerp Blue creates beautiful, natural tones without overpowering the subject.
You’ll also see how thoughtful composition and technique choices create a soft, glowing finish.
Louise