How to paint a red poppy in watercolour

Poppies are one of our most loved wild flowers.

They come in such joyful colours, and have such pretty petals, with their characteristic crinkly crepe paper texture.

It’s always such a delight to find them growing wild and watch them dancing in the breeze.

In this mini class, I show you the process I followed to paint a red poppy, building up that crepe paper texture in the petals.

I hope you’ll celebrate the beauty of this beloved wildflower by giving this Red Poppy painting a go.

If you enjoy painting it, you can also find a mini class on painting an Orange Poppy, which has a more complicated petal arrangement, and also a mini class on how to paint the very complex centre of an Oriental Poppy.

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

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14 Comments

  1. Maritza Miranda on December 21, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    Beautiful as always. I love your technique. Thank you for share.

  2. Martyna on December 21, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    I am mesmerized watching you paint. Where can we purchase watercolor paper in the large sizes you paint?

  3. Jullane 3 on December 21, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    Love this I have to say I really miss not doing your Online school. I had painted most of what you had. How many new ideas have you added in the last 2years.

    • Anna Mason on December 23, 2021 at 10:13 pm

      Hi Jullane, thanks for your message. We’ve released loads of tutorials over the past couple of years. I’ve asked our support team to get in touch to give you more information and help you decide whether the time is right for you to re-join us 🙂

  4. Terese Milligan on December 21, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    Is there a tracing photo for this tutorial or do we need to free form the outline?

    • Anna Mason on December 23, 2021 at 10:10 pm

      Hi Terese, line drawings to trace are one of the features of my online School membership, so as a member you would be able to download a traceable line drawing and reference photo. For people who aren’t members, the drawing would need to be made freehand.

  5. Margaret Wright on December 21, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    Lovely my favourite flower

  6. Barbara REYNARD on December 21, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    I. Have been painting for a while but I am learning so much from you

    • Anna Mason on December 23, 2021 at 10:08 pm

      Yay, that’s great to hear Barbara! 🙂

  7. Annie J Mathew on December 22, 2021 at 6:26 am

    Hi Anna
    Thankyou for the wonderful x’mas gift .As usual you have surprised us with your poppy tutorial.
    Certainly will try this.Thanks for sharing.

    • Anna Mason on December 23, 2021 at 10:08 pm

      I’m so pleased you like the look of it Annie. I hope you enjoy painting it!

  8. Helen du Plessis on January 5, 2022 at 7:25 pm

    Hi Anna! I loved the mini class on the red poppy!
    Is there a sketch available if we should like to paint it.
    And I rather think I would love to, I am very fond of poppies!
    Many thanks!
    Helen

  9. Nancy on January 14, 2022 at 8:21 pm

    Hi Anna.
    I loved painting the poppy, one of my favorite flowers.
    the way you teach is amazing and I’ve learned a lot from your tutorials.
    Thank You,
    Nancy

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