Last Updated on March 14, 2025 by Dee
Are you ready to paint beautiful watercolor tulips? 🌷 This beginner-friendly Easy Tulip Watercolor Painting tutorial will guide you through simple techniques to create stunning tulip paintings using watercolor layering and blending. Plus, I’ve got a special treat for you—22 premium tulip templates to help you get started effortlessly! 🎨✨
Download the Free Spring Watercolor Templates at the end of this post!
Table of Contents
Watch the Step-by-Step Easy Tulip Watercolor Painting Tutorial
Before diving in, watch my latest tutorial where I show you exactly how to paint tulips in watercolor, from the first brushstroke to the final details. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this tutorial will help you master watercolor florals with ease!
What You’ll Need: Watercolor Painting Supplies
This is my go-to list of recommended watercolor painting supplies that we use for all our watercolor art, junk journaling, and art journaling!
**This page may contain affiliate links to products I have used or recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.**
- Board: If you’re using watercolor paper from a pad or sheets, you might want to tape your paper down to a board to prevent warping.
- Watercolors: Windsor & Newton is a reputable brand that offers high-quality watercolor paints. You can choose from their range of professional-grade watercolor tubes or pans, depending on your preference.
- Watercolor Paper: Look for cold-pressed, 140lb (300gsm) watercolor paper for the best results. This type of paper is durable and has a nice texture that’s ideal for watercolor painting.
- Brushes: A selection of round and flat brushes in various sizes will give you the versatility you need for different strokes and details. Sable or synthetic brushes designed for watercolor will give you the best performance.
- Palette: A mixing palette with wells for both mixing and holding your paints is essential. It can be a simple plastic one or a porcelain palette for a more luxurious feel.
- Water Container: Any clean jar or container will do, but having two for clean and dirty water can help keep your colors pure.
- Masking Fluid: This is used to cover areas of your painting that you want to keep white. Make sure to apply it with an old brush or a dedicated masking fluid brush, as it can ruin fine bristles.
- Pencils: A soft pencil, like a 2B, is great for sketching your design before painting.
- Eraser: A kneaded eraser is gentle on watercolor paper and can lift pencil lines without damaging the surface.
- Paper Towels or a Rag: These are useful for blotting your brush to control the amount of water and paint.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Paint a Watercolor Tulip
Follow these simple steps to bring your tulips to life:
Step 1: Sketch Your Tulips (Or Use the Free Template!)
- If you’re confident, lightly sketch the tulip shape with a pencil.
- If you want a quick start, grab my 22 tulip templates from Patreon to trace and paint instantly! (More details below)
Step 2: First Watercolor Wash
- Start with a light wash of color for the petals, using a wet-on-wet technique.
- Let the colors blend naturally—this will create soft petal transitions.
Step 3: Layer & Add Depth
- Once dry, add another layer of color for definition.
- Use a darker shade at the base of the petals to create depth and softly blend upward.
Step 4: Paint the Leaves & Stems
- Mix green tones with a hint of yellow for variation.
- Use a quick upward stroke to keep the leaves fluid and organic.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
- Use a fine brush to add delicate veins to the petals.
- Lightly lift some areas with a clean damp brush for highlights.
And there you have it—your watercolor tulip masterpiece is complete! 🎉
Get 22 Premium Tulip Templates!
Want to make painting even easier? I’ve created 22 premium tulip templates that you can use as a guide for your watercolor paintings. These templates help you focus on painting instead of sketching, making the process faster and more fun!
📌 Access the Tulip Templates + Exclusive Watercolor Resources on my Patreon!
👉 Join Here & Download Instantly
Pin This For Future Creative Inspo!
Download the Free Spring Watercolor Templates HERE (below)!
To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or log in with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page, and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!
Love These Watercolor Templates? Get Even More Exclusive Creative Goodies on My Patreon! 🎨
If you’re enjoying these free printables, why not join my Artsydee Patreon community? As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive Procreate tutorials, watercolor lessons, and tons of printables like this one, which are delivered to you monthly (and sometimes even twice a month!). Plus, you’ll get sneak peeks at upcoming projects and have a say in what content I create next. ✨
Join today and unlock premium resources to take your creativity to the next level!
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