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How to Paint Tulips

January 21, 2019 By Colleen Jorgenson 13 Comments

how-to-paint-tulips

There’s just something about tulips. They’re cheery and welcoming, aren’t they? I thought you’d enjoy this simple How to Paint Tulips tutorial. We’re using craft acrylic paints which, you’ll see, make for an easy painting.

how-to-paint-tulips
How to Paint Tulips Pattern

Click on the photo above to get the pattern. It might also make a fun coloring page for the kiddos!

how-to-paint-tulips

Only a few paint colors are needed. Full supply list is at the bottom of this post. If you’d rather paint a different color than yellow, you can. Just pick a midtone and a couple of shades darker and you should be fine.

How to Paint Tulips

Step 1 – Download the pattern and print it then transfer it to a piece of watercolor paper.

To transfer it you can either use graphite paper or flip the pattern over and use a pencil to outline the tulips, stems and leaves. Then flip the pattern right side up, center it on the watercolor paper and using a stylus or ball point pen, trace the outlines of the pattern.

how-to-paint-tulips
Basecoat the tulips, stems & leaves

Step 2 – Basecoat the tulips with Canary Yellow and the stems and leaves with Leaf Green. I like to use a flat paint brush for the heads and leaves and a round brush for the stems.

how-to-paint-tulips
Shade the tulip heads

Step 3 – Shade the tulip heads with Opaque Yellow as shown. You can use either a smaller flat or medium round paint brush for the shading. The goal is to create the look of petals on each head. I added additional shading here and there for dimension. If yours looks a little rough, no worries. We’ll take care of it at the end of the tutorial.

Trust me.

how-to-paint-tulips
Highlight the tulips

Step 4 – Add highlights with White as shown. You’ll basically be outlining the petals, painting the highlight right next to the shaded portion. Again, choose whichever brush you’re comfortable with.

how-to-paint-tulips
Highlight and shade the stems and leaves

Step 5 – Shade the stems and leaves as shown with Seminole Green.

how-to-paint-tulips
Highlight with White

Step 6 – Highlight the stems and leaves with White in the areas shown.

how-to-paint-tulips
Topcoat Tulips with Canary Yellow

Step 7 – Topcoat tulips with Canary Yellow. One coat should be fine, depending on how opaque the shading and highlights are. Wait til they dry and then decide if you need to add a 2nd coat or not.

how-to-paint-tulips
Topcoat with Leaf Green

Step 8 – Topcoat the leaves and stems with Leaf Green. Allow to dry before you decide to add another coat or not.

Another tip – place the painting about 3 or 4 feet away from you and then take a look at it. When we’re right on top of our paintings, they tend to look pretty messy but if you stand back a distance, they really look good!

how-to-paint-tulips

After your painting is completely dry you’ll see areas of white peeking thru as well as some shading. This is exactly what you want!

This is what I call my Layering Technique. It works really well with craft acrylics. As you paint more and more, you’ll be able to control how much highlighting and shading you want. I’ve taught hundreds of beginners with this method and it’s always served us well.

If you run into any problems feel free to email me at mailto:muralmaker1@gmail.com. I’d also love to see your finished painting too! The main thing is to have fun!

watercolor paper
graphite paper (optional) or pencil for transferring pattern
stylus or ball point pen
paper towels for blotting paint brushes
paint brushes
White paint
Canary Yellow paint
Opaque Yellow paint
Leaf Green paint
Seminole Green paint

Filed Under: Highlighting, How To & PIY, patterns, Shading, Techniques, Tutorials

Comments

  1. Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} says

    March 10, 2010 at 5:38 am

    Super cute! you do great work!

    Reply
  2. Ms Bibi says

    March 10, 2010 at 6:00 am

    I love tulips. They are my favorite spring flowers and I am so happy that we can buy them now in January.

    Reply
  3. Leanne says

    March 11, 2010 at 5:01 am

    You are so talented. I’m pretty sure I could never paint like this. Thanks for visiting.

    Reply
  4. 除夕 says

    March 11, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    志不立,天下無可成之事。........................................

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    March 11, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Those are beautiful. I love tulips- so brings in Spring. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. Denise says

    March 11, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    Beautiful!
    Following you over from Shabby Chic Cottage!
    I am a follower!
    Please stop by!
    http://extremepersonalmeasures.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  7. fawnda says

    March 11, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    Your tulips turned out great! Thanks for the step by step!

    Reply
  8. fawnda says

    March 11, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    Here a few of my ideas of other PIY kits:
    Daisies (my other favorite flower besides tulips)
    A cute duckling
    a picket fence

    I love your PIY idea! : )

    Reply
  9. Kim @ Everything Etsy says

    March 12, 2010 at 4:00 am

    Really, you’re awesome! Thanks for bringing your beautiful link to the party this week!

    ~Kim

    Reply
  10. Luschka says

    March 12, 2010 at 9:55 am

    your new project looks so cute! cant wait to see end result

    Reply
  11. Lori says

    March 12, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    This is super cute..

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thurs. Pleas join me next week for another great party.

    Lori

    Reply
  12. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says

    March 13, 2010 at 2:17 am

    Once again, a beautiful painting! I always love to see what you’ll link up to the POPP.

    Reply
  13. Farah says

    June 28, 2010 at 7:58 am

    I always have a fear to paint a tulip, I feel it very difficult to paint, but you did it very expertly, I may try some time. thanks for sharing…

    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com

    Visit me please

    Reply

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    About Me

    Hi there! I'm Colleen, a self-taught artist, writer and blogger, among other things. You don't get to be old enough to order off the Denny's senior menu without accomplishing a few things in life. Read More…

    Recent Posts…
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