Painting a Sunflower Wreath in Watercolor

It's been a while since I tried something new with watercolor, so I decided to challenge myself with a sunflower wreath! It's 2021, we're still in the middle of a pandemic, and I'm pregnant. I've been spending some of my time painting, and I thought it would be fun to work on something different from what I usually do.

I searched online for a sunflower wreath reference photo that I could recreate. For this project, I wanted to follow the reference as closely as possible because my main goal was to practice my watercolor techniques. I wanted to learn how to paint what I see in the photo, from the shape of each petal to the different shades of yellow and green, and all the little details that make the flowers look realistic.

This painting took me quite a while to finish. I think I painted one flower a day! I don't really like rushing my artwork. I'd rather take my time and work on each little detail until I'm happy with it. It's funny because I notice that I do this quite often when I'm painting. I can spend hours working on something, but I don't mind as long as I'm enjoying the process.

While working on this sunflower wreath, I also realized that I'm not really into loose watercolor painting. You know, the kind where you use a few expressive brushstrokes and let the colors flow freely? I find myself enjoying the more detailed approach. I like layering colors, adding shadows, and taking the time to paint each petal. But at the same time, I still want my paintings to look like paintings, not photographs. I want the watercolor texture and brushwork to show through.

I also made a little mockup to see how the sunflower wreath might look as a piece of framed wall art. I love how the warm wooden frame complements the golden yellows and greens of the painting. I think it would look lovely displayed in a cozy corner at home, adding a little touch of sunshine to the space.

This project has taught me a few things. First, there's nothing wrong with using reference photos, especially when you're still learning. Sometimes, following a reference closely is exactly what you need to practice a technique and understand how to paint a particular subject. You don't have to come up with an original composition every single time.

I'm also beginning to understand what I enjoy most about painting. Maybe finding your art style isn't something you can force or figure out overnight. Maybe it's something that happens naturally as you keep painting, trying new things, and discovering what you like along the way.

So, if you're also trying to find your own style, don't be afraid to experiment. Keep painting, take your time, and enjoy the process. You might discover something about yourself with every artwork you make. I'm still learning, too, and I'm excited to see where this watercolor journey takes me!