Easy steps for painting a rose

Dark purple flowers mimic the look of black flowers Photo: Michael Daigian Design/Trisha Dean Events

TUTORIAL: How to Paint a Rose in Watercolor

My mother’s name is Rosa and for her last birthday, I painted a rose honoring her name. Today, I’m happy to share the steps on how to paint a rose in watercolor. Step 1 I take many of my reference photos for painting. These photos were taken in Bogotá, Colombia, where roses can be seen growing in many front yards. As you can see, the final rose is a composite of two different photographs, one for the flower itself and one for the leaves. Step 2 Using the photos as a reference I do a line drawing on a regular printing piece of paper. Once I am happy with the drawing, I scan it so that I can use photoshop to rotate it and adjust the image within the format of the watercolor paper I plan to use. Then I print it out. Step 3 I place the printout on the window, put the watercolor paper on it, and trace it by drawing a very light line. Step 4 To paint a successful watercolor, preparation is crucial. The first thing I do is to mix and prepare enough color on my palette. In this case, for the flower, I mixed quinacridone rose with a tiny bit of a warm yellow for the petals. For the leaves, I prepared different greens by mixing pthalo blue with a lemon yellow and/or a warm yellow. I touch the green with a little bit of its complementary, red, to tone it down and turn it into a more natural green. Many times, to relax into painting, I work on two pieces at a time. That way, whatever might not go well with one, I can do better on the other. In the following photo, you can see different versions of the same rose. Step 5 I apply the first layer working wet-on-wet, which means that first I apply a layer of clean water and when it is still wet, I touch it with the color. The consistency of the paint is diluted, but it is applied more charged with color on the left to begin evoking a sense of volume. Step 6 The first layer of the leaves is applied, also working wet-on-wet. Step 7 I mix the rose color with carmine and a little ultramarine blue to make darker tones. The previous layers are completely dry when I wet the paper with clean water and apply details of shadows to each section of the petals area. The highlights of the rose are left untouched, they show only the first layer of color. Also, a second layer of green is applied, making sure to suggest the veins by leaving them unpainted. This means that the color of the veins is the green applied on the first layer. Step 8 The previous layer has to be bone dry. I work mostly wet-on-wet but section by section adding contrast on the leaves and stem. Would you like to paint more flowers in watercolor? I hope you enjoyed this lesson on how to paint a rose watercolor. If you would like to take a FREE online class on How to Paint a Pansy in Watercolor in Five Easy Steps (Videos Included) click here! Leyla Torres is a World Watercolor Month 2019 Artist Ambassador!

Leyla Torres

I’m a Visual artist, writer and author. In my studio practice, I explore creativity through writing, watercolor painting and origami, the art of paper folding. I share these artistic activities as vehicles for cultivating the creative spirit while fostering a sense of inner calm and play in our daily lives.

Recommended 6 recommendations Published in Tutorials, World Watercolor Month

Easy Steps to Create Black Flowers

You can create the black flower of your choice by following one of three techniques, none of which is complicated. You can dye the flowers by placing the stems in dye-enhanced water, dip the blooms in colored stain or spray the blossoms with floral paint.

The Internet offers tips on dyeing flowers using food coloring or ink, but that advice is misleading. Such methods may work to a degree, but they aren’t as effective as using professional floral dye, such as Design Master’s Absorbit. Plus, professional dye products won’t inhibit the flowers’ water uptake, ensuring you get the longest vase life for your blooms.

Dyed Black Rose

To purchase floral dye, ask your florist to order it for you. (He or she can advise you on which colors will mix to achieve the deepest black.) Then ask your florist what blooms work best. Some experts recommend choosing white flowers, but others suggest choosing a dark color, such as red. You may need to experiment with both to determine which one to choose for your project.

Follow these steps once you’ve chosen your flower variety:

1. Leave flowers out of water for at least three hours once you get them home from your florist. When flowers are a bit stressed, they will absorb the dye-enhanced water more quickly.
2. In a container large enough to hold the flowers, add 2-3 teaspoons of floral dye to each quart of warm water (100-110 degrees Fahrenheit/37-43 degrees Celsius). Mix the liquid thoroughly.
3. Remove lower foliage from each stem. Cut stems at an angle with very sharp floral shears or a floral knife.
4. Place the stems into the dye solution. Allow them to sit in the water for 30 to 60 minutes.
5. While you are waiting, prepare a vase for your flower arrangement. Add floral preservative as indicated on the packet’s directions, mixing with the appropriate amount of water.
6. When enough time has passed, remove the flowers from the dye solution and rinse the dye off the stems.
7. Transfer your bouquet to the prepared vase.

The color of your flowers will intensify as the dye continues traveling up the stem. If dyeing different varieties, don’t expect the color to be absorbed at the same rate. Woody stems, like roses, take longer to uptake the dye than green-stemmed flowers, like carnations. Black roses also may not achieve even coloration unless you maintain the temperature of the dye solution while the stems are in the liquid. With those blossoms, place your container into a water-filled slow cooker on medium heat throughout the soaking period. If color is spotty, transfer roses to a separate container of warm water. Allow them to soak up the plain water overnight to further hydrate and spread the color throughout the petals.

Dispose of leftover dye solution by pouring it over newspaper to absorb it. Then toss out the papers with your normal trash.

Dyed Black Rose

#2 How to Dip Flowers for Black Blossoms

A faster option is the dip method. The same company that sells the floral dye Absorbit makes a product for this technique called Dipit. Directions are simple:

1. Choose flowers with fully opened blooms so the dye will more easily be able to coat each petal.
2. Pour the liquid dye into a container or bucket with a large opening to ease the dipping process.
3. Dip each flower into the solution for about 2 seconds.
4. Shake off the excess dye, allowing the extra liquid to fall back into your container.
5. Rinse each flower head under a faucet and shake again to remove the excess water.
6. Allow flowers to dry before handling so that you don’t stain clothing or skin with wet dye.

If your flowers aren’t as dark as you would like, you can redip them once they are dry. Simply repeat the steps above. As with Absorbit, pour any excess dye over an absorbent material, like newspapers, and then dispose of the papers in the trash.

#3 How to Spray Flowers to Create Black Blooms

Spraying flowers with floral spray paint is the easiest way to ensure a deep, dark, consistent black color. It’s also the messiest, so be prepared before you start by using drop cloths or newspapers to protect your work area from overspray. Also, make sure the area is well-ventilated, at a moderate temperature (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit/21 degrees Celsius) and not humid.

If your local craft store doesn’t sell floral spray paint, ask your florist to order it for you. Design Master makes a line called COLORTOOL that is specifically designed for use on fresh flowers. Regular spray paint is too harsh and heavy for delicate flower blossoms.

1. Shake the can well, before and between uses.
2. Turn the paint can nozzle to line up with the black dot on the rim.
3. Hold the can 15 to 18 inches from the flower head.
4. Spray each blossom, turning the bloom in your hand to get all sides and inside the petals.
5. For darker color, allow the paint to dry. Then apply another coat.

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