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Cherry Blossom Tree Painting with Acrylics and Q-Tips
Painting this cherry blossom tree is a fun & easy painting idea (beginner friendly) and perfect starter canvas project that will add to your confidence with acrylics.
In the tutorial below I will guide you, step-by-step, how to paint a simple cherry blossom tree using Q-tips to paint the beautiful pink colored blossoms.
This tutorial has been painted by various ages, from adults to teens to kids. The q-tip method makes this painting very easy for everyone. If you’re looking for more painting ideas, check out this 60 acrylic painting ideas and this 83 painting ideas for kids post.
If you’re looking for an ad-free, easy-to-read format for this tutorial check out this cherry blossom tree tutorial workbook with bonus steps (how to paint a tree trunk) /tips and extra-detailed steps not found in this tutorial.
Or if you’re looking for a fun paint and sip idea, I re-recorded this whole tutorial in a Paint and Sip video package with instruction and a full guided walkthrough (which is not on the YouTube channel). It’s a full length 47 minute tutorial that you can sit back relax and paint (in a group or solo setting).
Cherry Blossom Tree Painting with Q-tips
Painting with tools other than paintbrushes can be quite fun and yield some pretty amazing results.
One such tool I have discovered is Q-tips (or cotton swabs)!
Yup, those common little swabs not only work wonders with your hygiene routine, but they also make nifty painting tools!
I first discovered the magic of painting with Q-tips in one of my first painting tutorials on how to paint lavender flowers. It was so much fun, and hearing my readers’ feedback that they also enjoyed it, inspired me to create another Q-tip inspired painting tutorial.
The only difference in this tutorial is that you will bundle up 4-5 Q-tips and wrap them together with an elastic band. You can then dip the group of swabs in paint and dab away at your blossoms.
The method works well because there are many cherry blossoms on the tree- so the group of Q-tips lets you finish the blossoms faster. You can also use a single Q-tip, it will just take longer.
And you can’t make a mistake here.
Don’t overthink it, and just enjoy dabbing away. This was my most favorite part of the painting- I totally lost track of time and was absorbed into the creative flow of the cherry blossoms.
Enjoyable and meditative.
Cherry Blossom Paint Colors
The blossoms on the cherry blossom tree use only 3 colors: red, white and brown.
In the tutorial below you will learn how to create various shades and tints of red/pink that will help give your blossoms more dimension.
Getting used to and learning to mix your paints will also help you gain more confidence with your paints.
Many beginners choose to buy the premixed tubes of colors, because they don’t think they can paint mix. In reality, it’s not difficult to learn, especially when you start with simple color mixes like red+white = pink, etc..
Another tip you’ll learn is how to deepen a red color.
Naturally, you’d think to mix a tiny amount of black paint with your red, to make a deeper red hue. Which is technically correct. However, the black will kill the brightness of the red tone and will make your red look more muddy and brown.
Instead, if you mix a tiny amount of brown with your red, you will darken your red (dulling it down) without removing its brightness. This will make your red look richer and not muddy.
Cherry Blossom Tree Tutorial on YouTube
If you’re a visual learning and prefer video instructions, you can watch the full Cherry Tree Tutorial on YouTube clicking below. The written step-by-step instructions (with detailed pictures) are at the end of this post, if you prefer those.
More Q-tip Painting Projects
If you enjoyed painting with Q-tips and want another reason to store your stash in your craft drawer and not your bathroom drawer, check out my other 2 Q-tip painting tutorials:
- How to paint hearts 3 easy ways
- How to paint lavender flowers
- How to paint hydrangeas
It’s amazing what these little cotton swabs can do!
Paint Quality and Brand
The paints I used for this cherry blossom tree come from this Liquitex starter set paint set. It contains 36 different colored paint samples, which is great if you want to play around with paint color, mixing, etc. I also like the consistency and pigment in Liquitex basics paints.
Even though they are a level 1 (student grade), I find these paints excellent in quality.
Although I use the Liquitex basics paints, it doesn’t mean other brands aren’t worthwhile. I like to experiment with different brands- I also use Golden paints, Artist Loft, and even cheap Dollar store brands!
It depends on what you are comfortable spending and investing in paints and what you have access to.
One idea/tip is to invest is 1 tube of different quality paint at a time, and slowly add to your collection. That way you won’t be breaking the bank, and still able to experiment with different brands/qualities paint.
Your Painting Journey…
And just like those lovely pink blossoms, I hope your painting journey is filled with plenty of beautiful blooming experiences and moments- that you truly enjoy being in.
Enjoy the tutorial, be gentle with yourself and don’t be afraid to add your own twist and character to this painting.
If you approach painting like a series of mini-experiments, each building on one another- you’ll create something as unique and interesting as YOU!
And you’ll enjoy the process that much more.
Cherry Blossom Tree Finished Painting
Fun for Kids too!
This was a fun painting to make- and its for all painting levels. From beginners, and beyond – even kids can do this (and they’ll LOVE the cotton swab part).
My kids and I painted together and it was both fun and enlightening (kids are natural artists and its amazing to watch what they create). They ended up creating their own version of the cotton swab tree – check out their creations below.
Painting is a Process…
I hope you enjoy painting this simple cherry blossom tree and have fun experimenting with the paint mixing.
And always remember: painting (and learning a new skill) is a process. With each new thing you learn and each new painting you make, you are on your way to becoming a better painter.
Be proud that you are here, painting and learning away- you are doing amazing things- my artist friend
Yield: 1
How to Paint an Easy Cherry Blossom Tree
Learn how to paint a simple Japanese cherry blossom tree with acrylics on canvas
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $10
Materials
- Primary Red Acrylic Paint
- White Acrylic Paint
- Black Acrylic Paint
- Burnt Umber Acrylic Paint (or brown)
- Optional: quinacridone magenta acrylic paint
- Q-tips (cotton swabs)
- rubber bands
- medium size paint brush (flat)
- water container
- paint palette
Project Description:
How to paint cherry Blossom branch with love Birds silhouette On Denim. Easy birds on a cherry Blossom branch in acrylic paint art lesson BEGINNER HOW TO PAINT art lesson ” on Denim ” in acrylic art tutorial. Do not have denim canvas Step by step how to paint the look here http://bit.ly/20VUyfP Great for a private at HOME PAINTING PARTY with friends and family. This fully guided step by step ACRYLIC PAINTING LESSON will have you hanging your own art on your wall in just a few hours. This is a lot of fun and all you have to do is just believe you have art in your heart! Love “Cherry Blossoms “. Love “Bird Silhouette “. 100% FREE all this will cost you is a touch of elbow grease. This is a really fun ART LESSON. We talk about art and other fun subjects. How does art help your brain. Tips and tricks to make painting a party at home. With help and guidance anyone can paint. You can paint. Just open your heart and we can access your art together. Acrylics are a fun and enjoyable painting medium. What brushes do I like . Creative Mark. What paint’s am I using . liquitex heavy body acrylic, Matisse Derivan, and golden colors. We have lots of support tools for new artists. Want to see something just comment. It is YOUR art journey. Acrylics are a fun and enjoyable painting medium.
Materials:
Below is a list of recommended materials. This includes the ‘Amazon Affiliate’ program, and you support The Art Sherpa when using it. It is linked here to make things convienient and easy for you.
16×20 canvas, pre-gessoed
Paint Brushes
Black Pearl® Bright Size 4
Black Pearl® Bright Size 6
Black Pearl® Bright Size 8
Black Pearl® Bright Size 10
Sterling Studio Bright Size 2
4002 Series Bright Long Handle Size 10 – Goldilocks™ Brush
1900 Bristlon®
2100 Cambridge™
2500 Ruby Satin®
6400 Black Pearl™
Have fun Live with The Art Sherpa during this BEGINNER HOW TO PAINT art lesson in acrylic art tutorial. This is an easy, fun, social art lesson for canvas. We talk about art and other fun subjects. With help and guidance, anyone can paint. You can paint!
Want to see something? Just comment! Tell me what you’d like to paint, or what you want to know about art. This is YOUR art journey. Open your heart and access your art.
HEART MAIL:
Art Sherpa 204
9490 fm 1960 RD W
suite 200
Humble tx 77338
Artwork is the property of Cinnamon Cooney and The Art Sherpa LLC. and is intended for the personal enjoyment of the student. Did you sell a painting of my original design via private sale? Congratulations and big art high fives!
For commercial use or licensing in the painting party, social painting, or other venues; please visit our business website:
If you’d like to share our tutorial/original painting design with a church group, skilled nursing facility or other nonprofit interest, do get in touch. We have ideas, guides and a few fun little extras to make bringing the Art Sherpa to your community one big party. Let’s collaborate!
This artwork is under copyright and is intended for the viewer’s personal enjoyment.
If your paintings of my original design are offered for sale in a retail setting of any kind, please attribute ‘Original design by Cinnamon Cooney, The Art Sherpa. www.theartsherpa.com’
Please, create no prints or mechanical reproductions of your paintings of my original design.
How to paint cherry Blossom branch with love Birds silhouette On Denim. Easy birds on a cherry Blossom branch in acrylic paint art lesson BEGINNER HOW TO PAINT art lesson ” on Denim ” in acrylic art tutorial. Do not have denim canvas Step by step how to paint the look here http://bit.ly/20VUyfP Great for a private at HOME PAINTING PARTY with friends and family. This fully guided step by step ACRYLIC PAINTING LESSON will have you hanging your own art on your wall in just a few hours. This is a lot of fun and all you have to do is just believe you have art in your heart! Love “Cherry Blossoms “. Love “Bird Silhouette “. 100% FREE all this will cost you is a touch of elbow grease. This is a really fun ART LESSON. We talk about art and other fun subjects. How does art help your brain. Tips and tricks to make painting a party at home. With help and guidance anyone can paint. You can paint. Just open your heart and we can access your art together. Acrylics are a fun and enjoyable painting medium. What brushes do I like . Creative Mark. What paint’s am I using . liquitex heavy body acrylic, Matisse Derivan, and golden colors. We have lots of support tools for new artists. Want to see something just comment. It is YOUR art journey. Acrylics are a fun and enjoyable painting medium. Acrylic Paint colors-
Mars Black Titanium 16×20 Canvas pre-gessoed OR Denim Canvas from Michaels Make Market. Paper towels water cup
Table easel Assorted Brushes for acrylic painting medium flick resistance ( synthetic or natural fiber is ok) I generally paint with creative mark ebony splendor and pro stroke Bright ½” ¼” filbert 1” Detail round medium and fine
Delicious snack or beverage smile
“Acrylic Painting Techniques for beginners” ” Denim Canvas Michael’s Make Market”
Delicious snack or beverage smile
Want to own some of my original artwork.
I love teaching people to paint in a real supportive environment. I think everyone deserves to have art in their lives and feel the joy that art can bring! Follow a long share your art journey with me I look forward to hearing from you. Tell me what you want to paint. Tell me what you want to know about art. Acrylic Painting for Beginners that understands your needs. Real Acrylic Painting Lessons I fill them with actual art techniques but in a way you will smile about . Fun Acrylic Tips with silly noises. Pretty Painting’s you would hang on your wall. How to paint for you and the kids. Home painting party that will not break the bank .These are Easy art lessons . Tons of Free online painting lessons and more added every week. Many Acrylic tips and tricks. Online video art lessons so you can paint from your phone or home computer “Acrylic Painting Techniques for beginners”
