Once you’re satisfied with your abstract sunflower painting, it’s time to sign and seal it. This helps to protect your artwork and shows that it’s an original piece created by you. Here’s what you need to do:
Paint a Sunflower on Canvas
On our Facebook group we have a challenge running right now, with a prize at the end of May, to paint a sunflower painting every day until the end of the month. The idea is to use the sunflower as a warm-up for your painting session, and to practice skills without having to decide what you are going to paint each time! You’ll be surprised how many different ways you can create a sunflower painting! So get painting and enter our Sunflower Challenge for Ukraine!
This sunflower was painted in an unusual way. I chose an 8 x 8 inch cotton canvas, and prepped it with Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground to give me a surface that would accept watercolor.
This is an exciting way of painting in watercolor, as the paint behaves completely differently on the ground plus canvas surface. It is easily moved around and lifted off, and the texture of the canvas affects the way the paint moves.
Choosing your colors
I didn’t use a vast number of colors for this painting, as usual limiting my palette to five or six different colors. In this case I used ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, quinacridone gold, burnt umber, burnt sienna and my Kuretaki Starry Colors for highlights at the end. Please visit my Amazon shop for links to the products I used if you wish to support the channel at no cost to you!
Watch the video on YouTube here:
There are full instructions in real time for this Sunflower Challenge for Ukraine painting in the video. There are also subtitles in several languages as well as a transcript of the script of the video. Message me if you can’t find something you are looking for.
I often recommend Jacksons Art for supplies if you prefer not to use Amazon. Jacksons are based in the UK but their prices are so good it’s worth paying their nominal shipping fee. They also have other interesting features, such as expert-written guides to materials and techniques, an annual competition with a valuable prize, free shipping in the UK for over £75 orders, and very reasonable rates for international orders. Plus they have great discounts. Click on the image below to find out more.
Other materials and equipment from Amazon
Visit amazon.com/shop/dianeantonestudio to see my storefront with all the goodies I recommend and use every day.
I also used a Staedtler Karat Aquarell watercolor pencil and my set of gold and silver paint by Kuretaki.
Visit our shop to see our selection of mugs with my paintings on them! Great value!
Choosing Your Materials
Before you can start your abstract sunflower painting, you’ll need to gather the necessary materials. In this section, we’ll discuss the key items you’ll need, including canvas and paints, brushes and palette knives, and protective gear.
Canvas and Paints
When selecting a canvas for your abstract sunflower painting, consider the following:
- Size: Choose a size that works well for your intended space and allows for ample detail.
- Material: Canvases can be made from cotton or linen, with linen offering a more textured surface.
- Priming: Make sure your canvas is pre-primed or prime it yourself with gesso to ensure proper paint adherence.
For paints, acrylics are a popular choice for beginners due to their versatility and ease of use. Choose a variety of colors, including shades of yellow, orange, and brown for the sunflower, as well as greens and blues for the background.
Brushes and Palette Knives
Having the right tools for your abstract sunflower painting is important. Here’s what to look for in brushes and palette knives:
- Brushes: A mix of flat and round brushes in various sizes will allow for different brush strokes and details. Synthetic bristles work well with acrylic paints.
- Palette Knives: These can be used for mixing colors and creating interesting textures in your painting. Look for a mix of shapes and sizes to enhance your creativity.
Protective Gear
Painting can get messy, so don’t forget to protect yourself and your workspace. Consider the following items:
- Apron or smock: Keep your clothes clean with a protective covering.
- Gloves: Disposable gloves can prevent paint from staining your hands.
- Drop cloth: Protect your floors or work surface by laying down a drop cloth before you begin.
Now that you’ve gathered your materials, you’re ready to set up your workspace and begin sketching your abstract sunflower painting.
Prepping Your Workspace
A well-organized workspace can make the process of creating your abstract sunflower painting more enjoyable and efficient. In this section, we’ll cover organizing supplies, lighting and ventilation, and setting up your canvas.
Organizing Supplies
Keep your painting process smooth by organizing your supplies in a way that makes them easily accessible. Some tips include:
- Arrange your paints in the order you’ll use them, with similar colors grouped together.
- Have a cup or container for water to rinse your brushes, as well as a cloth or paper towel for drying them.
- Keep your brushes and palette knives within reach, separated by type and size for easy access.
Lighting and Ventilation
Good lighting and proper ventilation are essential for a successful abstract sunflower painting experience. Consider the following:
- Lighting: Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not possible, use a combination of overhead and task lighting to ensure your workspace is well-lit.
- Ventilation: Acrylic paints are generally low-odor, but proper ventilation is still important. Open windows or use a fan to ensure fresh air circulation.
Setting up Your Canvas
Before you start sketching your sunflower, set up your canvas properly:
- Easel or table: Choose between an easel for a more traditional painting experience or a table for a flatter surface. Make sure your canvas is secure, stable, and at a comfortable height.
- Orientation: Decide whether you want your abstract sunflower painting to be portrait or landscape orientation, and position your canvas accordingly.
With your workspace prepped, you’re ready to start sketching your sunflower and bring your abstract vision to life.
Sketching the Sunflower
Now that your workspace is ready, let’s move on to sketching your abstract sunflower painting. This stage is crucial to define the overall structure and composition of your artwork. We’ll cover drawing guide lines, defining petals and center, and adding details and shadows.
Drawing Guide Lines
Guide lines will help you achieve a balanced composition in your abstract sunflower painting. Follow these steps:
- Identify the center of your canvas and lightly mark it with a pencil.
- Draw a circle around the center point to represent the sunflower’s center. The size of the circle will determine the size of your sunflower.
- Using the circle as a reference, sketch the general shape of the petals, extending outward in a radial pattern. Remember, an abstract sunflower painting allows for more creative freedom, so don’t worry about making the petals perfectly symmetrical or uniform.
Defining Petals and Center
Now that you have a basic outline, it’s time to add more details to your sunflower petals and center:
- Refine the shape of each petal, making some wider or narrower to create visual interest. Vary the length and curvature of the petals to enhance the abstract feel of your painting.
- For the sunflower’s center, add texture by sketching small circles or irregular shapes to represent seeds. This will give your abstract sunflower painting a more dynamic appearance.
Adding Details and Shadows
Lastly, add depth to your abstract sunflower painting by incorporating details and shadows:
- Identify a light source for your painting, which will help you determine where to place shadows and highlights.
- Add shadows to the petals by lightly shading the areas furthest from the light source. This will give your sunflower a more three-dimensional appearance.
- Add subtle details to the petals, such as veins or folds, to create a more interesting and unique abstract sunflower painting.
With your sunflower sketched out, you’re ready to move on to the painting techniques that will bring your abstract masterpiece to life.
List of Supplies:
- Blank canvas (Size and shape is up to you but a square canvas is shown.)
- Acrylic paint – turquoise – brown – yellow – light yellow – bright green – green – white
- Paint brushes – various sizes
- Pencil
Step -1
Select a canvas and paint a layer of white acrylic paint on it. Allow the base paint to dry completely.
(If you are having people over for a painting party, do this step a day or more before they arrive.)
Step -2
Fill the canvas with turquoise paint. (You can do this ahead of time too.) Allow the paint to dry completely before painting the sunflowers.
Step – 3
Use a pencil to draw an outline of the sunflowers on the pained canvas. You don’t need to sketch the details of the sunflowers; just a rough outline will do.
Step – 4
Paint the center of the sunflower with brown acrylic paint. You don’t need to wait for it to dry. Select a medium shade of yellow paint and paint a petal with it. Simply fill a petal outline with the yellow paint.
Step – 5
Now, one by one, fill all the petals of that sunflower pattern.
Step – 6
Now, select a lighter shade of yellow paint and fill the petals between the painted petals of the previous step.
Step – 7
Select the medium shade of yellow and use a thinner brush paint smaller petals by over the bigger ones.
Step – 8
Apply smooth strokes along the sides of the petals to give then a nice and finished look. Use brown acrylic paint to paint the center nicely. Keep the edge of the center uneven, you don’t need to smoothen it.
Step – 9
Use green acrylic paint to paint a few leaf patterns before painting the 2 nd sunflower.
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Step – 10
Follow the previous sunflower painting steps to paint the 2 nd sunflower. Paint the leaves between the 2 flowers however you like. You 2 to 3 different shades of green acrylic paint to fill the leaf patterns. Use white paint and a size 1 brush to paint small random dots on the center part of the sunflower for the finishing touch.
Step – 11
The painting will look better if it appears like the sunflower sits above the leaves. Since you painted the leaves after the petals, it can sometimes look like the green sits over the yellow. If your does, you can achieve the correct look by taking a small brush and adding a layer of yellow on the petals that extends a little bit over the green leaves. IF your green does not overlap the yellow then you can disregard this step.
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