How to paint a 3D blueberry with bloom

When we look really closely at a natural subject, it’s amazing how many details we can see.

Even on something as tiny as a blueberry.

Its surface is covered in an iridescent, powdery coating called ‘bloom’, and in that bloom are loads of little scratches and other markings.

It’s a bit like a miniature planet.

If we want to capture all this detail in a painting, it helps to work larger than life.

In this video, I’ll guide you through the process of painting a detailed, 3D blueberry.

We won’t use any white paint to create the bloom effect, which might surprise you.

We’re actually going to paint the bloom first.

Take a look at the video and find out how:

I hope this video has inspired you to paint your own 3D blueberry, covered in bloom. I love to paint these; they’re a great subject for beginners too.

And I hope that next time you’re holding a blueberry, you’ll pause to look at it really closely, and notice all of its tiny details.

I’d love to hear how you get on if you give this painting a go, so let me know in the comments below. And do leave me a message if you enjoyed the video. I love to read them!

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10 Comments

  1. Karen on November 16, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    Excellent, eye-openingblueberry bloom demo! The inclusion of another use of photos, e.g., a macro image, also appreciated! Going up-side-down was a good reminder as well, even though not new. So, a “three for” in this one lesson, plus more not mentioned. Well planned!

  2. Sabrina Lewis on November 16, 2021 at 7:05 pm

    Love the blueberry video

  3. Kayleigh on November 16, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    I love these mini videos via newsletter they are a great way to motivate us and keep us coming back when we are not quite ready to commit fully yet. This has enticed me to become a member to your other videos when I am finished with some other courses I am doing. So it’s defiantly worthwhile offering these. Thanks so much.

  4. Margaret Wright on November 17, 2021 at 8:59 am

    Lovely, you make it look so easy.

  5. mariella cassar on November 17, 2021 at 9:50 am

    Thank you for sharing .
    I will give it a go

  6. Carol Fielding on November 17, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    You are so talented! I love your realistic approach to painting! I’ve been taking skillshare classes, and painting almost everyday on my own, and although my painting has certainly improved I need more instruction. I’d love to someday be as good as you! This email/newsletter came at the right time, to nudge me into signing up (hopefully it’s a nice discounted price) the thing is, I’ve tried twice in the past to sign up on 1/2 price deals, but couldn’t because I live in the US and there was a problem accepting my payment. Is there a better way to make a payment? Please help me to figure this out before I loose another opportunity to learn from the best! Thankyou, and blessings.

  7. Rhinda on November 17, 2021 at 12:29 pm

    Beautiful and inspiring as usual Anna.

  8. Silvia on November 17, 2021 at 10:52 pm

    Excelent explanation! watercolor wow!! Thank you.

  9. Edwin Relf on November 18, 2021 at 3:37 am

    It is the detail and realism I like and your technique to get to your final image. But rather than watercolour on paper, I want to use this technique to do the painting on fabric – on cotton poplin. If I’m making art I want to wear it on the garments I make! I’ve done the free class of the pear twice – painting on fabric using Derwent’s Inktens with aloe gel as the medium and got so so results. Its the looking and the seeing that makes me nervous – as well as the brushwork skill and the colour mixing and worring if it is a light colour or a mid-tone I’m seeing and how to mix that colour on the palate. The limits are my skill … and maybe the medium. Does the technique work on fabric? I’ve used the occilating light dark mindtones light dark technique with other images of botanicals and gradually getting better results. I think I’m ready to sign up and at least get the technique.

  10. Paula Mayer on November 19, 2021 at 2:21 am

    I’m all about the tea break strategy! 🙂 Great work and appreciate you sharing your expertise.

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