Vibrant Lily - Painted with Only 3 Colors

This stunning lily was created using just three watercolor pigments, proving that a limited palette can produce incredibly vibrant and lively results. All the rich hues you see—from deep magenta to vivid greens—were mixed from a carefully selected primary triad, ensuring perfect color harmony and clean, mud-free mixes. The fine gold accents were preserved using masking fluid applied before painting.

Want to learn more about limited palette painting?
Read my complete guide here: [Coming Soon]

Credit for the inspiring technique and tutorial goes to the talented Debbie Friis-Pettitt. Try her tutorials—she is a true master of the limited palette!

Materials Used: #affiliatelinks

#LimitedPalette #Watercolor #VibrantLily #ColorMixing #3ColorChallenge #WatercolorTutorial #ArtMaterials

Watercolor tulip study created using the alla prima technique with a carefully chosen limited palette. This direct painting approach captures the natural vibrancy and spontaneous beauty of tulips, while the restricted color selection creates visual unity and enhances the overall composition.

This study was created following guidance from Elena Vavilina's excellent tutorial (Drawing Dog Marathon) 🌷 Full credit to her for the inspiration and instruction.

👉 Discover the alla prima watercolor technique in my comprehensive guide

Watercolor lily study painted alla prima with a limited palette. The alla prima approach brings freshness, energy, and expressive brushwork by finishing a piece in one sitting. A limited palette adds harmony, balance, and a sense of cohesion to the colors.

This piece was inspired by a tutorial from Elena Vavilina (Drawing Dog Marathon) 🌸 Credit to her for the guidance.

👉 Learn more about the alla prima technique in my guide

Painted using the alla prima method - a direct watercolor approach where the entire piece is finished in one continuous session while colors remain wet and workable.

Learn the technique: Complete Watercolor Alla Prima Tutorial →

Credit to the tutorial used: Ilia Ibryaev (Drawing Dog Marathon)

This watercolor alla prima painting was completed in a single session using wet-into-wet techniques for natural atmospheric effects and spontaneous color blending.

Learn the technique: Complete Watercolor Alla Prima Tutorial →

Credit to the tutorial used: Ilia Ibryaev (Drawing Dog Marathon)

🎨 What You'll Need

Essential Materials:

• Watercolor paints: Warm colors (yellows, oranges, pinks) + cool colors (blues, purples)
• Dark color for silhouettes: Payne's Gray, Burnt Umber, or mix your own dark
• Watercolor paper: 140lb minimum, cold-pressed recommended

Brushes You'll Need:

• Large wash brush (size 12-16) for sweeping skies
• Medium round brush (size 6-8) for land details
• Small detail brush (size 2-4) for trees and plants

Learn more about choosing the right brushes in my watercolor brushes guide.

🌈 Key Techniques

1. Sweeping Sky Blending

Work on wet paper with horizontal brush strokes, blending warm and cool colors for dramatic sky effects. The key is working quickly while the paper stays wet!

2. Simple Silhouette Technique

Once your sky is completely dry, paint simple dark shapes for land, trees, and plants. No details needed - just bold, confident silhouettes! Master these blending techniques for seamless color transitions.

💡 Pro Tips for Stunning Skies

• Work fast on wet paper - you have about 5-10 minutes before it starts to dry
• Use horizontal brush strokes - they mimic natural cloud formations
• Don't overthink the silhouettes - simple shapes are more powerful than detailed ones
• Leave some white paper in your sky for natural highlights and clouds
• Tilt your paper slightly to help colors flow and blend naturally

🎯 Color Combinations That Work

Sunset vibes: Yellow → Orange → Pink → Purple → Deep Blue

Sunrise vibes: Pale Yellow → Peach → Rose → Soft Blue

Storm approaching: Gray-Blue → Purple → Warm Gray → Yellow highlight

Master these color blending techniques for even smoother transitions!

🌿 Simple Silhouette Ideas

• Rolling hills - just gentle curved lines
• Tree clusters - think cotton ball shapes on sticks
• Tall grasses - quick vertical brush strokes
• Distant mountains - simple triangular shapes
• Fence posts - thin vertical lines for interest

Followed live Kolbie Blume’s demonstration/tutorial from The Pigeon Letters' free Summer Creative Retreat—such an inspiring technique to learn!

Question: What's your favorite time of day to paint in watercolor skies?

🎨 What You'll Need

Essential Materials:

• Masking fluid for crisp neon outlines - check my recommended supplies. Posca pen can also be used!
• High-pigment colors (e.g., Phthalo Blue, Opera Pink for neon vibes)

Brushes You'll Need:

• Liner brush for fine details like whiskers
• Large wash brush (mop or alternative) for backgrounds
• Size 4-6 brush for lifting techniques

⚡ Key Techniques

1. Lifting Paint for Glow Effects

Dab wet areas with a dry brush or paper towel to create "glow" halos around your neon signs. This lifting technique is what makes the neon effect pop!

2. Gradient Blending

Work fast! Load your brush and blend for neon fade effects - darker on the outside. Master these blending and lifting techniques for professional results.

💡 Pro Tips for Neon Effects

• High-contrast is key - Use your darkest darks against bright neon colors
• Work in sections - Complete one neon sign at a time while paint is manageable if it is a large sign
• Less is more with masking fluid - thin, clean lines work best
• Practice lifting on scrap paper first to get the glow effect right

Learn more about choosing the right brushes in my watercolor brushes guide.

Followed Mako (Makoccino)'s lovely tutorial from The Pigeon Letters' free Summer Creative Retreat—such an inspiring technique to learn!

Question: What's your favorite subject for neon-style watercolor paintings?

Followed Clarice Gomes's lovely tutorial from The Pigeon Letters' free Summer Creative Retreat—such a liberating way to paint!

🎨 What You'll Need

Any colors you love will work beautifully for this piece! Depending on the size of your heart, you might need:

• Brushes: Size 8-10 for the heart, plus size 2-4 for flower details
• Paper: 100% cotton watercolor paper (140lb recommended)
• Colors: Whatever makes your heart sing!

You can look through my recommended supplies to see what I use and love.

Question: Do you prefer sketch-free watercolor or guided outlines?

🌿 Moody Magnolia Branch in Watercolor 🌿

Sometimes flowers aren't meant to be bright. This magnolia branch emerged in muted purples - a twilight version of spring's classic bloom.

Techniques from Magnolia Branch by Rae Campbell shows how to build those rich, layered glazes while keeping the petals delicate.

Why I Love Botanical Watercolor

There's something deeply satisfying about painting flowers and plants. Nature, especially beautiful flowers, brings me joy in ways that are hard to put into words. When I sit down to paint a magnolia or any botanical subject, it feels like a quiet conversation with the natural world.

Botanical art has such a rich tradition, and in watercolor, it really comes alive in two main approaches:

• Detailed realistic botanical art: This style focuses on scientific accuracy and precision. Every vein, every subtle color variation is carefully observed and recorded. It's like creating a beautiful field guide.
• Loose botanical painting: This approach captures the essence and feeling of the plant rather than every detail. Often no sketching is required - you let the watercolor flow and find the flower's spirit through color and movement.

Both styles can use wet-on-wet techniques for soft, flowing effects, or wet-on-dry for more controlled, crisp edges. The magic happens when you learn to blend watercolors seamlessly - those smooth color transitions can make or break a botanical painting.

The Right Tools for the Job

One thing I've learned is that brush choice really depends on the size and style of your painting. A tiny detailed study needs different brushes than a loose, flowing botanical piece. The right brushes can make all the difference in how your flowers come to life on paper.

Do you prefer moody florals or bright botanicals?

Whether you're drawn to the scientific precision of traditional botanical art or the expressive freedom of loose floral painting, there's something magical about capturing nature's beauty in watercolor.

Want to see more of my watercolor experiments? Check out my art gallery where I share the successes and happy accidents that make this journey so interesting.