How to paint an apple blossom in watercolour
Spring is such a special time of the year. I love sensing the new life on it’s way.
In 2006 I spent a whole year documenting one season of the little apple tree in my garden, focusing on blossom. I produced the 20 paintings that won me an RHS gold medal.
A little obsessive?! Definitely! But I really enjoyed painting them. You can see those paintings here.
If you also find blossom hugely uplifting, I thought you might enjoy this little video I’ve made about the process of painting an apple blossom:
If you’re a Nature Studio member then the full step-by-step tutorial of this apple blossom is available there.
Please let me know in the comments below if you’ve been inspired by spring and have been painting anything seasonal.
Happy painting!
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Good to learn. Something marvelous
Beautiful demonstration of blossom……I will catch up later……
Thank you for sharing your process. I look forward to painting this as soon as I can. You are inspiring.
Hello Anna,
and of course, Happy Spring. It has been a long winter here on the eastern coast of the US….snow is falling from Pennsylvania north. We live 5 hours south and are grumbling about near freezing temperatures.
Your artwork is very inspiring and your photography brings a smile to my face….you must be a wonderful teacher in a true classroom or online class. A fellow classmate in another online class, Creative Seasons-Spring by Stephanie Levy (Berlin, Germany) provided us with your website. I hope more classmates visit over the next few weeks, in the meantime, I have signed up for your newsletters. So happy to see your beautiful work,
Holly Hudson
Richmond, Virginia, US
Thanks Anna….I love your teaching and work. Thank you so much for sharing!…
.PS…I am enjoing your brushes too!….
Kind Regards Jane (Lincolnshire)
Great work and teaching. Just a beginner. Thank you!
Hello Anna.. (long time.. no chat.. I think the last was wedding wishes…xo)
I’ve shared your wonderful video with the Botanical Artists of Canada and other artist’s groups I frequent.. I know we are all so excited to get painting something with colour, especially us in the midst of a good old Canadian winter! Cheers and all the best. xo Thanks for sharing your talents with us all! <3 xo
Thanks Liz! x
Hi Anna, I love your paintings and I am learning from some videos of you, thank you so much!!! I
I have been painting acrylics for a while, took a few classes…and I love it, I wish a discover this before, also, it is a great therapy for my fibromalgya.
On January this year I decided to try watercolour and absolutely love it, just bought some books, and discover some videos like yours which are really helpful, I am very grateful for what you are sharing and teaching.
I will post some of my paintings and will be so happy to hear your advice and comment
Thank you again Anna!!!
Hi Anna,
I’m currently studying with Jenny Phillips and very much enjoying it. One of my fellow students referred me to your website and I am enjoying your tutorials also. I have a question, why do you never wet your paper before you begin. I have been taught to always starts with wet paper and dry brush work is reserved for the finishing touches. I’m curious about difference in technique.
Cheers,
Janine
Thanks for your message! Working wet-on-dry like I do Janine gives me much more control over where I place the paint. I’m self-taught and it’s just the way I’ve found the easiest and most satisfying to work.
Your paintings are beautiful. I appreciate the time you spend by layering on the washes. Thank you for sharing the video. I really enjoyed it, and I want to give it a go! Thank you, Leta from Texas. 🙂
Dear Anna,
Wonderful lesson,! just what I needed! Now I can start my Portmeirion Appel composition again with the knowlegde of these pettals.
I will try again, and try to improve. Thank you so much!
Looking forward to your second book!
Lots of love Wilma from Holland.
Hi Anna, Thank you for a lesson. I do pastels and never knew how to truly start watercolor for a change.
Your apple blossoms are breathtaking.. I think I could pick the branch off the page
I can remember the scent from my youth. Thank you for the journey. I have Snowdrops in my garden now and must get started. You have given me the impetus.
Hi Anna,
I’m a beginner. Started in pastel but I like watercolor better. You inspired me! Thank you for your great works and teaching. Kaye from Seattle.
Hi, Anna, I love your art, have had your books, for a long time, I went to New Zealand to Susan Harrison-tustain classes and learnt to watercolor, her work is amazing as well, she has become a good friend, and we talk occasionally, I loved the two little boys with paints in the garden, that is so good to let them do exactly what they want with the paints, you seem such a lovely person, I have watched on you tube. I started too late to learn but I still enjoy my watercolor.
Thanks again for your inspiring video. Stay safe and blessings to you and your family.
Hello Anna! I truly enjoyed your mini video. It is full of beauty. I have two of your books and never tired of your instructions and tips. They have helped shape and inspire my art journey. You are so talented and I admire your art greatly. Thanks for sharing your videos.
Thank you, Anna. Wonderful work. I have about 13 botanical illustration books and of all the artists, you are my favorite. I tried some experiments with fresh paint, as you used in your pear tutorial, and pan paints. The wet watercolor produced the most vibrant colors, using the same colors. – Also like the fact that you paint BIG. Will follow your work. Wishing you good health and time to paint! Sally
You make it simple and easy to learn. Thanks for the beautiful work. Very inspiring.
Hello Anna. Thank you for sharing your successes with us. I really love your creativity. I hope that will soon be able to join you and start drawing when I better understand English. Spring is the sweetest and most tender time of the year. I wish you success.
Amazing! I love your teaching.Really inspiring.
I just love seeing the page from your sketchbook too. The page has such immediacy and speaks so much of the day. Glad you enjoyed your birthday trip and hope life becomes a bit easier for you and your family soon.
Thank you Anna for sharing this video, I would like to try painting the apple blossom in your school soon. I am truly enjoying your online school and managed to complete some other paintings, Thank you 💕
Thanks so much Anna, your techniques and step by step tutorials has help me in my watercolor paintings. I understand that less is more in the mixing of colors.