Watercolor: Florals & Botanicals

Depicting a Botanical Scene

with Caroline Linscott

YOU CAN EXPAND YOUR painting range by focusing on more than just flowers. A scene with several botanical elements makes for a lively composition with varying colors, shapes, and textures. In addition, you can add interest and excitement to a painting when you contrast light, watery colors with dark, less diluted colors. The viewer’s eye is drawn to the richer, thicker color, but the less vibrant shades and lighter values make the other colors that much more striking.

Color Palette

burnt sienna, cerulean blue, lemon yellow, permanent magenta, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre

Artist’s Tip

To make a light-weight watercolor board for traveling or painting outdoors, cut a piece of heavy cardboard ...