Between April showers and May flowers, I usually start drawing flowers on whatever paper is around. It’s the perfect time to get inspired by spring and start painting flowers! These simple flower painting ideas will help you get started and bring some color to your day.
Springtime has been a bit unpredictable lately, and because of that, I’m jumping into my flower art early this year. I thought I’d share some of my favorite ideas with all of you to help you enjoy the season ahead.
Today, I’m sharing twenty-one easy flowers to paint! You can try a few or even all of them. I’d love to hear how it goes, so make sure to share your creations in the comments below!
Feel free to use whatever materials you have on hand. The fun part is making the art your own, and it’s all about being creative with what you’ve got.
If you want to get results similar to mine, I used this set of acrylic paints, paper from this notebook, this brush set, a palette, and a marker to define the lines. Take an afternoon to enjoy this post and dive into your painting!
1. Common Poppy
I really love the poppy flower. In fact, I used it for some holiday cards this year! When I think of poppies, I usually think of the red ones, but feel free to choose any color you like.
To start painting this flower, begin with the center and paint four rounded petals. Then, work your way outwards, using brush strokes that follow the same direction.
2. Cherry Blossom
For me, cherry blossoms are a true sign that spring has arrived. These flowers are so delicate and don’t last long, which makes them extra special.
Since they’re so fine, I recommend using your smallest brushes for this one! It may take a while to paint, so make sure to sit down with some patience when giving it a try.
3. Red Flowers About to Blossom
Pre-bloom flowers are just as beautiful as fully bloomed ones, but in a more delicate way. Watching them begin to grow is exciting for me, and it brings me so much joy.
I painted these flowers in red, but you can choose any color that speaks to you!
4. A Field of Flowers
What I love about painting a field of flowers is that it always turns out differently each time—different colors, flower types, and sizes. Even the background changes.
I suggest starting with simpler flowers, and feel free to experiment with different shades to get a unique look. Understanding the layout of a flower field is key to making this painting work.
5. Lavender
I’ve painted lavender a few times, and it’s been a great gift idea as well as a piece for my kid’s room. The design is fairly simple, but my tip is to mix the purple shades you want before you start painting.
Once you lay down the petals, you can adjust the colors to get a nice ombre effect. I start with the biggest flower first and allow it to dry before moving on to the smaller ones.
6. Blue Poppies
Blue poppies are my mom’s favorite, and I love painting them. They’re easy to scale, so you can make as many or as few as you want.
To paint them, dip your brush fully into white paint, then dip half of it into blue paint. Dab your brush to create a rounded shape, repeating it about six times, or however many you like.
If you’re comfortable, you can make faster strokes to speed up the process. These simple tips will help you create more unique paintings!
7. Anemones
Anemones are simple flowers, but their petal shape is something I absolutely love. They remind me of poppies, and they’re one of my all-time favorites! Recently, I’ve been experimenting with the length of their stems, making them more playful and wire-like. You can change the colors, sizes, and how many flowers you paint to make them your own!
8. Red Salvias
I enjoy drawing climbing plants and flowers, and I even made a full pattern of them with different-colored blooms. This design would make a great birthday card or even some creative wrapping paper!
9. Orange Kings
I’ve realized I love all these flowers for different reasons, and the orange kings are no exception! These unique flowers stand out just as much as the more traditional ones.
Don’t worry about perfection when painting them. They look even better when they’re a little imperfect and personalized.
10. Blue Hydrangea
Hydrangeas look amazing when painted with a bit of abstraction. The more layers of blue you add, the more interesting they become.
For this flower, I let the paint dry between layers and build up the cone shape. Sometimes, I use a fine-tipped marker to highlight details and make everything pop.
11. Clematis
Clematis flowers are simple, yet beautiful, and they’re perfect for filling up a page. Just like with the field of flowers, start by learning spatial awareness.
Begin with the largest flower and build outwards to create a nice flow of flowers across the page. It’s a great way to practice your painting skills!
12. Rose
Roses are always beautiful, both in real life and on the page. A single rose reminds me of Beauty and the Beast—it would make a perfect gift for any Disney fan!
When painting a rose, I suggest mixing a few different shades of the color you’re using. Take your time blending them together to get that beautiful, glowing look.
13. Iris
Irises are delicate and complex, but you don’t need to prep too much to paint them. The dipping technique is great for painting the inner parts of the flowers.
For the leaves, start with a lighter green or yellow to shape the base. Then, continue layering to create depth and bring the foliage to life.
14. California Poppies
California poppies are bright and fun to paint! To capture their cheerful look, mix a variety of yellows, reds, and oranges on your palette without fully blending them together.
Use upward brush strokes to paint the petals, creating a lively and vibrant feel.
15. Sunflower
Sunflowers are a favorite for many they’re bright, happy, and a little quirky. When painting them, mix the colors you’ll need for the petals before starting.
Begin with the center of the flower, and then move to the petals once you finish the first layer. You can always go back to add a detailed seeded layer in the center to complete the look.
Conclusion
These flower painting ideas are perfect for spring and beyond! Whether you’re painting simple blooms or more complex flowers, there’s a technique here for everyone. Experiment with different colors, sizes, and arrangements to make the flowers uniquely yours. Don’t forget to have fun with it!
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