Floral Art Made Simple: Jar of Flowers Painting Guide

If you're looking for a light, relaxing art project that doesn’t demand perfection, this simple floral painting is the perfect place to start.

With a cozy little jam jar and a loose bouquet of wildflowers, this tutorial blends gouache, watercolor, and pencil to create something that feels spontaneous, soft, and full of charm.

In this beginner-friendly session, you’ll learn how to capture the essence of flowers without getting caught up in technical details. It’s all about letting the shapes flow, layering gently, and embracing imperfection as part of the process.

Why This Project Is So Approachable

Simple Materials, Big Impact

The supplies are minimal—just gouache, watercolor, pencil, and paper—but the results can be stunning. The combination of media allows for vibrant color, soft blending, and just enough texture to keep things interesting.

Gouache brings boldness. Watercolor adds transparency. Pencil lines give it a sketchy, handmade feel that’s both modern and nostalgic.

A Relaxed Approach to Florals

Unlike botanical illustrations or hyper-detailed work, this style is all about suggestion, not precision. The flowers are loose and abstract, built up with color and shape rather than outlines. That means you don’t need to stress over symmetry or accuracy—just focus on how the painting feels.

Building the Composition

The Jam Jar: Grounding the Scene

At the base of the composition sits a humble jam jar—clear glass, subtle shadows, and a label that adds personality. It anchors the bouquet without overpowering it.

The transparent effect of the jar is created through careful water application and highlights, making it a fun challenge for watercolor lovers.

The label is sketched in casually, not perfectly, which fits the playful tone of the piece. It adds just the right amount of detail while keeping the painting light and breezy.

Letting the Flowers Flow

The bouquet itself is a mix of color and spontaneity. You’ll see soft purple and blue blooms, tiny white accents, and leafy greens—all painted loosely.

There’s no need for botanical accuracy here. What matters is the movement and layering. Let some petals blur into others. Let stems overlap freely.

This layered, abstract approach gives the piece depth without becoming too rigid or stiff.

Color, Shadow, and Line

Balancing Light and Dark

Part of the magic in this painting comes from the balance between light washes and deep shadows. By keeping some petals bright and letting others fade into the background, the bouquet feels airy and dimensional.

The shadow beneath the jar—painted with a mix of color and water—grounds the composition, making it feel complete and believable.

The Sketchy Pencil Touch

After the paint is down, pencil comes in to define edges, suggest detail, and add contrast. It’s used sparingly but effectively. You’ll notice scribbled table lines, hints of glass texture, and gentle outlines around flowers and leaves.

These marks don’t “correct” the painting—they elevate it. They bring character and looseness, giving it the look of a modern art journal or sketchbook page.

Why You'll Love Painting This

Perfect for All Skill Levels

Whether you’ve painted a hundred florals or this is your first try, this project is easy to start and satisfying to finish. There’s no pressure to be perfect, and that’s the beauty of it. Each jar will look a little different. Each bouquet will have its own flow.

A Moment of Creative Joy

This isn’t just about learning a technique—it’s about slowing down and enjoying the process. The colors, the water, the brushstrokes—all of it comes together in a way that feels relaxing and creatively fulfilling.

You’ll walk away with a lovely little piece of art that feels personal, imperfect, and completely yours.

We thank Shayda Campbell for the images.

Enjoy The Video Tutorial

Source: Shayda Campbell

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Last update on 2025-05-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API