How to paint a realistic Hibiscus flower in watercolour

Hibiscus are such gorgeous tropical flowers that really lend themselves to watercolour. The key when painting a pretty pink hibiscus like this is to achieve the full range of different pinks within it – there are a lot when you really look! Whilst still concentrating on getting the tonal range right so it pops off the paper.

In this little video I give you a taste of how I tackle it:

If you’ve enjoyed the video, please leave me a comment, I LOVE reading them.

 

Happy painting,

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93 Comments

  1. Linda Williams on May 21, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    Anna, Congratulations on your beautiful new baby girl! What a sweet blessing. I am so happy I found your tutorials. I just watched and painted along on the free class, and I’m hooked. It’s amazing what I learned in one class. My husband and both teenage kids were super blown away with my realistic pear!!!
    Thank you!
    Linda

    • Anna Mason on May 22, 2019 at 7:04 am

      Super! X

    • Judy Whitman on May 22, 2019 at 11:27 am

      The video had a frowning face and I never got to see it

  2. Carolyn Doherty on May 21, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    Are you painting wet on dry or wet on wet?

    • Anna Mason on May 22, 2019 at 7:03 am

      Wet on dry Carolyn.

      • Carolyn Doherty on May 23, 2019 at 7:32 pm

        Thank you.

  3. Sandy Troxel on May 21, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    How you find time for your beautiful paintings with your little ones is just amazing. Congratulations on your new perfect angel.

  4. Pamela on May 21, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    Congratulations on Fern, she is lovely. Can’t wait until you start to paint those sweet chubby cheeks.

    I purchased 2 of your classes at craftsy.com and they were wonderful. I was so impressed I decided to try your brushes. Thank you for all your help getting better. A work in progress.

  5. Leo on May 21, 2019 at 3:46 pm

    Wonderful!
    My best wishes to you and your baby

  6. Leigh Barry Nodar on May 21, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    Congratulations on your beautiful Fern!!
    Loved the video. Thanks!

  7. Mary Darling on May 21, 2019 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks for a great video. Will try this painting when I get home. Your baby is beautiful. Congratulations

    • Susan Lyon on May 21, 2019 at 10:56 pm

      Anna, your amazing. Fern is adorable!! Enjoy each precious day! Thank you for all you do.

  8. Jill Haefner on May 21, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby! Welcome to the world little Fern.

    Thank you for another great video!

  9. Diahann Cordova on May 21, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    Ah! Fern is so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing. May the LORD continue to bless you Anna! 🙂

  10. Betsy Megna on May 21, 2019 at 3:56 pm

    Congratulations on your beautiful bundle of joy!

  11. Ayyaz Hussain on May 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm

    Beautiful video. Thank you. What paper and what brand of paint do you use?
    Ayyaz

    • Vita on May 21, 2019 at 9:27 pm

      Congratulations on the birth of your daughter.
      Many thanks for your little video.

  12. Lois K. on May 21, 2019 at 4:00 pm

    Thank you so much, Anna, for the helpful little videos. I have learned so much from them! And… thank you for sharing the photo of beautiful little Fern. May her life be blessed in countless wonderful ways! Lois K.

  13. Jeanne A Easton on May 21, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    Congratulations on your beautiful daughter! I really enjoy your work and video’s. Look forward to taking online classes soon!

  14. Sharon sallis on May 21, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Fantastic video and congratulations Fern is beautiful x

  15. Irene Manninen on May 21, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    Beautiful pink painting!
    Congratulations at the safe arrival of Fern!
    Fern is so sweet! Enjoy every moment!

  16. Julia Roberts on May 21, 2019 at 4:13 pm

    Beautiful ! It so happens I purchased 6 of these yesterday, and can’t wait to get out there and take photos ! I particularly enjoy your simple and logical approach to painting and your patience! Waiting for things to dry is a shortcoming I suffer from !
    Again, thank you for sharing this, when things calm down I will be having a go ! I’m definitely sharing with my daughter too ! Enjoy the rest Anna (lol) and I love how talented you are with your IPad rendition done with the pencil, wow! Can I ask what app you use ?
    Hugs and best wishes for you and your family, you share so much joy Anna, please never stop from sunny Florida
    All the best,
    Julia

  17. Rose Vermeulen on May 21, 2019 at 4:24 pm

    You video is awesome – as usual and such an inspiration. Now to find the time. Your little Fern is going to give you so much joy and laughter. Well done all round.
    Take care
    Rose

  18. carme on May 21, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    Thank you for this video and congrats for your new jewel !!!

  19. Linda w on May 21, 2019 at 4:26 pm

    So precious, congrats, thanks for sharing

  20. Marilyn Coull on May 21, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    Beautiful painting and a beautiful new baby girl. Congratulations.

  21. Barbara gershberg on May 21, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    Congratulations, a perfect family. how is Ben reacting to his new little sister? Best wishes to you and your family.
    Here in Florida I have many Hibiscus growing but was never able to capture it as beautifully as you. Your video gives me inspiration to try again.

    Barb G.

  22. vera on May 21, 2019 at 4:44 pm

    Lovely video thanks ,I’ll try it sometime
    But more than that . what a poppet…. so beautiful, and great joy and ‘relief’ now that she’s here
    Congratulations to you both.

  23. Joy on May 21, 2019 at 4:54 pm

    Thank you, Anna.
    Fern is. Beautiful, thank you for sharing her photo with us. Enjoy every moment, they grow up so fast.
    Blessings.
    Joy

  24. Joy on May 21, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    Thank you, Anna.
    Fern is. Beautiful, thank you for sharing her photo with us. Enjoy every moment, they grow up so fast.
    Blessings.
    Joy

  25. Harriet on May 21, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    A new soul to earth. Beautiful baby Fern. Many congratulations xxx

  26. Pam on May 21, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    Looks so real, congratulations, baby Fern is beautiful.

  27. Meredith Childress on May 21, 2019 at 5:10 pm

    Beautiful, as always! Your subjects are always striking and wonderful to look at as you create a visual masterpiece! Feeling inspired~

  28. Karen Gavula on May 21, 2019 at 5:11 pm

    Anna, your little baby girl, Fern, is so precious. God bless you and your family.

  29. Lili, Luxembourg on May 21, 2019 at 5:23 pm

    Your baby is beautiful Congratulations to the happy parents and Fern’s little brother
    The video is amazing gives me appetite to take my brush!!!
    It seems so easy, but it’s not, I should give it a try though

  30. Lili, Luxembourg on May 21, 2019 at 5:24 pm

    Sorry there’s a mistake in my email address of my previous message

  31. Diane on May 21, 2019 at 5:33 pm

    Gorgeous and really captures the delicate beauty of the flower. I admire your patience with adding layer upon layer and waiting for each layer to dry. Congratulations on your beautiful new addition to the family. Such a precious name!

  32. Penny Taylor on May 21, 2019 at 5:45 pm

    Wow… she’s already got quite a head of hair. She’s gorgeous! Congratulations. (The flower painting is nice, too.) 🙂

  33. Aruna on May 21, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    Thanks Anna. Loved the simple and easy method of painting in your video.
    Also, agree that you do share a lot of joy. God bless!

  34. Jim Kirkwood on May 21, 2019 at 5:53 pm

    So pleased for you and I wish you and your daughter every happiness and blessing.

    (And I love how managed to capture the delicate nature and detail of this flower.)

  35. Jan Tischler on May 21, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    God Bless you and your beautiful daughter. Thank you for the lovely painting as well!

  36. Anita visram on May 21, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    Wondergul news Anna and what a darling little girl. Just hope she and her brother inherit your wonderful talent.
    Every picture you paint is a masterpiece. You have taught me so much. And now I’m not satisfied unless my painting looks like to yours. Thank you
    Anita.

  37. tina champion on May 21, 2019 at 7:14 pm

    OMG….Fern is such a beautiful and precious gift……your video is good too! 🙂
    CONGRATULATIONS!

  38. Dawn on May 21, 2019 at 7:17 pm

    Fern is adorable!! Congratulations on her safe arrival! Thank you for another wonderful video. Your patience and attention to detail inspires me.

  39. Dixie Stovern on May 21, 2019 at 7:21 pm

    Congratulations on your new baby girl, she is beautiful!

  40. Naomi on May 21, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    Your baby is beautiful! Precious…thank you for the hibiscus painting,it too is beautiful

  41. Hilda Barone on May 21, 2019 at 7:44 pm

    Congratulations Anna. Fern is beautiful. Thankyou for the lovely video. Will try to paint one too.

  42. Susan Merila on May 21, 2019 at 9:00 pm

    i loved the year I spent as a member of your on-line school. Thank you for continuing to send your inspirational emails. I enjoy them myself and I forward them to my friends, especially those who are ready to take their painting to the next level.

  43. Darlene Allen on May 21, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Beautiful baby, may you both have many blessings as your family grows. Congratulations she is absolutely beautiful
    Darlene Allen

  44. Val Gibbons on May 21, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    Congratulations lovely baby and lovely name. Thank you for the video

  45. Suzi on May 21, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    Anna, Fern is so beautiful, so precious. What a blessing! Thank you for the excellent, lovely hisbiscus instruction. God bless you & your sweet family, Suzi.

  46. Melissa Aldosari on May 21, 2019 at 9:31 pm

    Squeeeeeeeeal! Oh, she is so gorgeous! Big big congratulations!
    Thank you so much for the beautiful hibiscus video as well!
    I hope you are able to get some much deserved rest!

    • Anna Mason on May 22, 2019 at 7:00 am

      Haha! Thanks for the squeeeeeeal! I think that every time I see her!

  47. Pauline on May 21, 2019 at 9:47 pm

    Congratulations, your baby girl is absolutely beautiful and I love her name , Thank you for the video , I will certainly give it a go

  48. Frances White on May 21, 2019 at 10:15 pm

    Congrats on your beautiful baby. Love the hibiscus video.

  49. DEBBIE DURNWALD on May 21, 2019 at 10:44 pm

    Fern is absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing a picture of her and this wonderful video. Your heart is as amazing as your talent!

  50. Joanie Adam on May 21, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl, Fern. I am so happy to see and hear that both of you are doing well. All the best. Joanie

  51. Gabriella Henderson on May 21, 2019 at 11:25 pm

    Congratulations. Anna, Fern is so beautiful! I love the hydrangea.

  52. GENOWEFA GINTER on May 22, 2019 at 12:07 am

    Hi Anna
    Love your paintings and congratulations on your new baby girl Fern, she looks beautiful you should paint her. All the best xx

  53. patty Marino on May 22, 2019 at 2:11 am

    Anna, I am a retired labor and delivery nurse, have seen thousands of new born babies, your Fern is beautiful and I know because she has someone special—-YOU–………
    Your Fern is an extension of you……..special…..and thanks for the video, I enjoyed it very much. Patty from New Orleans, La., USA

    • Anna Mason on May 22, 2019 at 6:59 am

      What a lovely comment!! Thank you Patty! X

  54. Prabha on May 22, 2019 at 3:08 am

    Congrats on the arrival of your beautiful little girl . Lovely name.

  55. Penelope Quin on May 22, 2019 at 4:23 am

    Fern is absolutely gorgeous!!

  56. Tine Doumen-Ensink on May 22, 2019 at 4:56 am

    Congratulations with the birth of your beautiful your beautiful little babygirl. She is beautiful….
    I allso liked the video of how to paint the hibiscus very much and i will try to paint it justitie like you did…
    Many regards,
    Tine

  57. Jenn Findlay on May 22, 2019 at 6:12 am

    Congratulations on little Fern. She is beautiful. The video is very informative, as usual.

  58. Margaret Stern on May 22, 2019 at 7:41 am

    Hi Anna,
    Wow, isn’t she lovely, big congratulations, enjoy all the special times to come.
    The hibiscus is also

  59. Malini on May 22, 2019 at 8:14 am

    Congratulations Anna, lil baby Fern looks so beautiful…… thanks for sharing her pic

    Am new to watercolor and am enjoying learning from you. … your videos are informative, easy to follow and your paintings are an inspiration

  60. Stella Baker on May 22, 2019 at 8:33 am

    Many, many congratulations. Wonderful news Anna, so pleased for you all.
    Fern is gorgeous and just the beginning of more cherished memories. So much to look forward to.
    Enjoy every moment.
    Lots of love Stella and Glyn. Xx

  61. Naomi on May 22, 2019 at 9:18 am

    Congratulations, she’s quite gorgeous! Looking forward to watching the video later x

  62. Denise Godwin on May 22, 2019 at 10:17 am

    Congratulations on you beautiful little Fern! Such a different kind of love that we have for our babies
    I loved the Hibiscus video. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your artistic abilities with those of us who desire the same. You make it very enjoyable for learning.

    Many Thanks and Well Wishes
    Denise

  63. Trang Folliot on May 22, 2019 at 12:05 pm

    Congratulations on your lovely daughter. Girls are so precious!!!

  64. Gouri on May 22, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    What a lovely baby and what a lovely flower. Congratulations!

  65. Majella Ryan on May 22, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    Thank you once again for your informative videos. Congratulations on your beautiful addition to your family. She is lovely. Hope you are both thriving.

  66. Julie Arnott on May 22, 2019 at 1:26 pm

    Dear Anna As beautiful as your painting is, it does not compare with your latest creation of Fern. What a little darling she is. Congratulations and best wishes
    Julie, Adelaide, South Australia

  67. Lorena on May 22, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    I love all of your tutorials. You are a great inspiration for painting. I love you style because it has so much details. Congratulations for you beautiful baby Fern.

  68. Sue Paterson on May 22, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    Anna, congrats on your beautiful Fern.

  69. Tina on May 22, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    Anna, first of ALL – congratulations to your sweet Fern, she is sooo precious!!! I know sometimes the first weeks can be pretty tough but that bonding time is also absolutely magical! Try to enjoy and soak in as much as you can – and as much naps you can get, hahaha :-))) Thank you for sharing this BEAUTIFUL little video, I really enjoyed it watching! Warm hugs from Switzerland, Tina

  70. Corinna on May 23, 2019 at 12:54 am

    So beautiful! Congratulations and I just LOVE her name! I LOVED the video, especially since I live in Florida, USA. We have Hibiscus everywhere in every color you can imagine so I can see applying this technique in so many ways. Thanks so much for all of your inspiration and the kindness you show sharing your talents and teaching with the world.
    Artfully Yours,
    Corinna

  71. Yasmin Deboo on May 23, 2019 at 11:54 am

    Anna Congratulation. Your little daughter is adorable and so precious and what a beautiful name too – Fern. Best wishes, Love and Light. – Yasmin

  72. Carol on May 23, 2019 at 2:13 pm

    Congratulations Anna! Fern is beautiful!! Thanks for yet another fantastic video. You will be able to breath again since you’ve given birth. All the best to you and your beautiful family

  73. Learner on May 24, 2019 at 11:36 pm

    I heard some good news and came here to say, CONGRATULATIONS to you, Anna!!!! Wow! So happy for you and your new baby, Fern! What a gift form heaven! God bless you and your family! Thanks for the video, and your beautiful Hibiscus looks just like the ones I see here everyday. Now they will remind me of you. 😉 All the best to you and Fern! Hugs!

  74. Deepali on May 25, 2019 at 2:57 am

    Congratulations for beauo Fern! Water techniques I really enjoy to learn from you….

  75. Eunice Moss on May 27, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    Congratulations on your beautiful daughter Fern. God bless you lovely family.

  76. PITZINI Elisabeth on July 13, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    Bonjour Anna, Félicitations pour toutes vos vidéos qui m’ont données envie de peindre. J’aime la sensibilité et la lumière qui ressortent de vos aquarelles. J’ai acheté vos livres et je m’en inspire, mais j’adorerai pouvoir suivre vos cours, malheureusement je ne maîtrise pas bien la langue anglaise et je le regrette étant Française en Bretagne. Toutes mes félicitations pour votre petite fille et gros câlin à elle.

  77. Patricia del Moral on September 19, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    This is the second time I registered to your art school, Just got organized and loving it

  78. Joan on April 17, 2020 at 5:59 pm

    SOMETIME AGO I DOWNLOADED PDF10165 VIDEO, YOU WERE WITH CRAFTY, COULD I GET IT AGAIN .. YOU ARE SO THOROUGH, I COME BACK AGAIN ENJOY YOUR VIDEOS.

    • Amy Adams (Team Anna) on April 21, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      Hi Joan, thanks for your message. The tutorials Anna made for Craftsy (now called Bluprint) are owned by Bluprint so you will need to contact them directly to ask about getting it again. You can contact Bluprint here: https://help.mybluprint.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007255931

      Best wishes, Amy

  79. Georgina on June 14, 2020 at 9:12 pm

    Really beautiful. .a favorite flower of mine. You are very good at teaching..easy to follow.
    Might just give it a try.

  80. Akanksha on August 27, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    I love your videos and your techniques are so good and easy to follow. You are great at watercolors!!

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