How to Paint Simple Botanical Art Note Cards with Watercolor
There are two ways that I love drawing and painting botanical art.
First is line art infused with watercolor. And the second way is direct painting over a quick pencil sketch.
I love this project, because I’ve created my very own collection of botanical art note cards.
Now that I have this collection of hand-painted note cards, I’m excited to scan and prepare them digitally. This will allow me to print them and make them available for sale on my website. (I’ll walk you through the process in a future blog post, so stay tuned!)
Supplies
Here’s a list of suggested supplies that you’ll need for this project. I highly recommend using what you already have before you go out and purchase anything new.
- Blank watercolor note cards, such as Strathmore Watercolor Cards and Envelopes
- Watercolor pan paints or tube paints (I use both) - I use Winsor & Newton Professional and Daniel Smith watercolor tube paints and pan paints such as Kuretake GANSAI TAMBI Watercolor Paint Set
- Mechanical pencil
- Eraser
- Waterproof fineliners in black such as Winsor & Newton Fineliner set or Sakura Pigma Micron Pens . I usually use a size 0.5.
- Small round paintbrushes - different sizes. For finer details, use a smaller round brush.
- Paint tray - if using paint tubes - I highly recommend a ceramic paint tray or mixing tray palette over plastic.
- Water containers to clean your brushes
- Gold Gel Pen
- Gold Pan Paint such as Finetec Artist Mica Watercolor - Set of 6, Bronze, Gold, & Silver
Gather Inspiration
Before I begin drawing or painting, I like to research and gather inspiration.
Google “botanical line art with watercolor” and numerous images will show up. I like to scroll through and pick ones that instantly speak to me because of the color, composition or drawing style.
Technique 1: Botanical Line Art with Watercolor
Step 1: Sketch
After I have decided on what I want to draw, I first sketch using a mechanical pencil with regular HB led.
Step 2: Outline with Black Fineliner
Next, trace over the pencil sketch using a black fineliner. The key here is to use a waterproof fineliner to prevent smearing when you start painting with watercolor.
In the supply list above, I’ve provided links to my favorite fineliners for you to check out, but any waterproof fineliner brand will do. Using an eraser, erase any pencil lines that remain.
Step 3: Paint with watercolor
Now the fun begins where you bring your drawing to life with beautiful strokes of watercolor. Tip: Start with light washes of color and build up layers gradually to achieve depth and richness.
I recommend painting the flowers first in a base color, once dry, you can go back in with a second layer or another darker color to add shading and definition. The final step is to paint in the stems and leaves. Remember to let each element dry OR if you want the colors to bleed, then paint using a wet on wet technique.
Step 4: Embellish with Gold
Adding gold highlights creates an elegant, eye-catching effect. Whether using a gold gel pen or watercolor pans, a few strategically placed gold touches will really make your art pop.
I love using this gold gel pen and Fine Tec Artist Mica Watercolor in Gold to embellish my artwork.
And there you have it - a beautiful hand painted note card!
Technique 2: Direct Watercolor paint over pencil sketch
While the botanical line art with watercolor creates a more refined look, this next technique offers a simpler, more fluid approach by painting directly over a pencil sketch. Here’s how:
Step 1: Sketch
Same as in technique 1, start with a quick pencil sketch of a desired botanical arrangement.
Step 2: Select your paint colors
In this example, I chose to keep my flowers all in pink, with green-gold and green leaves and black/brown stems.
Step 3: Paint the flowers
For the flowers, I painted all the petals first using Daniel Smith Opera Pink. This bright, vibrant pink creates a striking focal point for the design.
Step 4: Paint the flower centers
While the flower petals are still wet, use a darker shade to paint the centers, allowing the colors to blend naturally. I first applied Winsor & Newton Cotman Burnt Umber and then layered Payne’s Gray over it, letting the two colors bleed into each other. Allow it to dry before moving on to the next step.
Step 5: Paint the leaves
Next, paint the leaves. For most of them, I used Daniel Smith Rich Green Gold, but I also used Winsor & Newton Permanent Sap Green for a few leaves. Allow them to dry completely before continuing.
Step 6: Paint the Stems
For the stems, mix dark brown and black to create a rich, deep color. Dampen your brush, then remove excess water before picking up the paint. Use a dry brush technique, meaning the brush should have just enough color but not too much water. This technique will give the stems a controlled, textured look without the color running. Allow the paint to dry before adding any additional details.
Step 7: Embellish with Gold
Just like in Technique 1, you can add a touch of elegance by using gold highlights. Use a gold gel pen or gold watercolor pan paints to add subtle accents to your artwork. The gold adds a beautiful pop that makes your botanical note cards extra special.
I hope these two techniques inspire you to create your own botanical note cards! I’d love to see what you come up with—feel free to share your designs on Instagram and tag me @DivineNY. Happy painting!
