How to Paint Impressionistic Pink Poppies in Watercolor / Great for Beginners

Watercolor is such a lovely medium for getting loose and creating an impressionistic feel. Join me in this Tutorial where I will teach you how to paint some loose pink poppies.... a great lesson for beginners or anyone wanting to have some watercolor fun!
Goals of this lesson:
1. LOOSEN UP
2. Learn some basic beginner watercolor techniques
What You'll Learn:
1. Water is your friend / Don't be afraid in this lesson to be liberal with water application
2. Let colors mix on the Paper / This creates more dynamic color results
3. Use the side of your brush / Often we paint just with the tip, but by using the side of your brush you can create some interesting broad strokes and dry brush techniques
4. Technique creating fine lines by using the opposite tip of your watercolor brush (or a toothpick)
5. Other fun techniques / Like using salt and a splatter technique to add life and pizzazz
Products mentioned in video:
Porcelain Watercolor Palette: shrsl.com/42yad
Arches Watercolor Block: amzn.to/3fIk5Jf
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[@rosaliefunk1629]

I have always felt that art should be mandatory for every grade. It’s fun. It helps with creative thinking in everyday problems. It teaches us to find beauty in just about everything and everyone. Art teaches us that we, and everything around us, is a miracle. Thank you for this watercolor lesson.

[@julieannemarie123]

I love the style and the COLORS!! Great instruction, I can't wait to try these techniques. Thanks Susan, you're a real talent!!

[@patriciabeaumont4442]

Absolutely gorgeous…thank you for the inspiration…❤

[@rhondaflanders9]

Hi Susan! I've noticed how much more I pay attention to nature since I've gone back to painting. I go out on a walk early in the morning and I've noticed the pinks and the blues in the clouds and it's so much fun REALLY seeing everything.

[@monetcafe]

Exactly Rhonda! As artists we are students of nature. I think it gives us an interesting perspective to the world and we see things in a way that others don’t.

[@annenglish2935]

I'm a beginner - at 68😄 I love the idea of loose watercolor and my books, stationary, wall art are all loose watercoloring... never paid much attention to the medium... just naturally gravitated to it! After watching videos for over a year I decided to give it a go! Love your art! Loved the pastel MONET you just sold and will buy a print! So please continue your journey with all of your viewers with more watercolor tutorials. Thank you so much for this 3 in 1! I am blessed by God's creation every day. Love & prayers, a grateful California gramma 😄🌴🌺💕

[@monetcafe]

Amen Ann! Love your positive and faithful spirit. And it’s never too late to start learning to paint. I’ve really been enjoying watercolor over the past few years and I wish I had more time for it. Now you’ve got me wanting to start a watercolor painting, LOL! Be blessed sweetheart.

[@Uddaybhaikabaap]

Hi Susan 🥰 My exam got postponed and is estimated to be held in September. I've a friend in states who's going to send me a palette of 48 Daniel Smith watercolors. I got to know about your mother lately, I'm very saddened. I remember speaking prayers for her, but we know she's in lord's hands now. Awesome video. Keep posting more 🥰 Love from India ❤️ Anish

[@helengentile9327]

Thanks you for this tutorial! I just love your style! You gave us key info about painting these poppies. Again I want to say thank you.

[@Angie-pl3uw]

Gorgeous. These are the first flowers I painted when I first began watercoloring. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of them. When I have a failed painting (lots of them!), I paint on the back side of the paper so that nothing goes to waste. I also like to go back to a failed painting and try to fix it. Sometimes I succeed. Failed painting sometimes make the best bookmarks. They also can make great miniatures if you work with a tiny mat and search for pretty spots. Watercoloring has given this dog a new lease on life. Thank you again for your beautiful interpretation of poppies. I love it!

[@anniesavidge2468]

These are beautiful! I can’t wait to try them. I’m 68 and painting for the first time. Got a taste in high school and have wanted to try ever since. I’m so thankful for artist like you who are sharing time and talent to teach us. To your comment about looking at the world differently: I’ve been trying to learn how to do skies and I find myself automatically looking at the sky every time I go out, deciding what colors I would use for this sky and what techniques might be most effective. We live in a beautiful world and I didn’t really appreciate it until recently. And painting has made that change for me.

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @anniesavidge2468 Comments like this are part of why I do this. I love insiring others, especially in their art journey! Thank you for your sweet comment! If you haven't already, come join us on my patreon page! www.patreon.com/susanjenkinsage!!!!

[@PollyCozumel]

Just wow! Such simple commentary/instruction with so many helpful tips in sharing your loose style. I also turned to watercolor bc of a yearning to express my appreciation of nature. You captured my sentiment as a fellow ‘student of nature’. Your talent inspires me to dedicate myself to this new discipline of worship. 🙏 🥰 🎨 Bless you!

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! I loved reading your comment. By the way, I have another watercolor tutorial I'll be uploading soon. And yes.... Hallelujah! It is a discipline of worship!! Have fun!!

[@annibarry1338]

It’s so true, the way we become super aware of nature as artists, taking in every nuance of shape and colour and texture. Your words must’ve been anointed, I was teary and thanking God before you even mentioned him.

[@lindasaunders5448]

This is my very first poppi watercolor! I hope I get better with practice!! Thank you for teaching and sharing! God Bless!

[@mendyhand3895]

Nice to not have a reference to look at sometimes! FUN & FREEING! Continued Prayers sweet girl!

[@jeffreyross8855]

Hey pal... I've been layed up w/ my prosthetic and just MOVED to...BALI!!!! BEEN SWITCHING TO WATERCOLORS because it's easier for clean up and I didn't want to pack all my stuff... there are art supplies here of course. .. so that's why I'm diggin' your tutorials on watercolors.. glad to hear your voice again... thanks for all you do for us.. yer the BEST XOX

[@angelacaires8772]

I’m a fairly new subscriber and a beginner artist. Thank you for such uplifting encouragement as we are each on a journey!

[@Carem44]

I really like your technique of using the side of the brush.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much 😀

[@susantedder5066]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

[@elaineschwartz5838]

I love your watercolors! Just like your pastels, the colors are amazing!!!

[@user-vh1ig1te8s]

Thank you ! I love these and as a beginner I hope you will be posting some more in that style. They were really fun and not too complicated to paint

[@irenehynes7536]

I’ve always loved poppies, and have tried many paintings of them. Thank you for this video. It is very helpful!

[@rayemartineau8644]

STUNNING!

[@vickigower8125]

I always love the way you work with color. You make it look so easy.

[@suzymoreau6306]

Merci pour votre démonstration, j'aime vos aquarelles.🙋🎨🖌️

[@mariabekhter3290]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! It is very inspiring! I surely will try to create something a wee bit as beautiful as your painting 😆🎨

[@alexandrasanches2473]

These are just sooo lovely! I loved this! Thankyou for sharing. Big hug!

[@Carem44]

So glad you’re doing watercolours. Would love it if you do more. Why not have a watercolour channel.

[@monetcafe]

Gosh, I would love to have a watercolor channel. I’m afraid I’d have to clone myself though. Painting, filming myself and editing and uploading these videos is a full-time job. I love it, but it’s definitely a lot of work.

[@normamiller2316]

Beautiful technique and excellent instruction. Thanks!

[@martademeter9629]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@brendagurley4217]

Love how loose this painting is! I’m going to try to do this one! Great job, thank you!

[@monetcafe]

@brendagurley4217 I appreciate that so much!! If you haven't already come join me on my Patreon page. www.patreon.com/susanjenkins

[@byGmma]

Magnífico 👌👌👌👌🤗

[@sallysimpson9780]

Just love this, thank you.

[@user-ve6iw4qv3v]

I grow poppies and I am doing water colors again so this is perfect. Thank you.

[@emisode]

Thank You for this tutorial, I´ve been so afraid to start watercolouring, since people seem to tell you it´s so difficult, worked with acrylics which is so different, now watching your teaching I´ll actually gonna try.

[@viviandibrell849]

Absolutely scrumptious! The way you held your brush is similar to holding a pastel! Great layering and spattering. Thank you ….it fills my heart to watch and listen to you.

[@lindamcclure8037]

Susan, your poppies are a delight. I’m determined to try them myself. Thank you for the tutorial.

[@ccw347]

Just beautiful!! 🩷Cami

[@ellaniwalker4796]

Can’t believe you dud this two years ago! LOL beautiful! Thanks.

[@lovewillwinnn]

I like YOU and I really like your STYLE! New subscriber here. I’m very picky. Happy I finally found you. 🤩😊♥️

[@monetcafe]

You just made me smile big-time! So happy you have subscribed and I’m glad you found me too!

[@pictish1371]

So glad to find your channel. Thank you for sharing your talent. I tried this and it’s not too bad. Started painting watercolour recently and love it. I’ve painted about thirty or so projects and I can see an improvement.

[@kellyferguson1502]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed this tutorial and the note at the ending regarding not every painting being a 'masterpiece'. ❤

[@normarideout62]

Yahoo another left handed artist…I just find it easier to follow

[@Rock-Steady585]

Yes I am looking at the world in a different way, thank you for this tutorial. I too am left handed helps to be instructed by a fellow lefty

[@christinesharps5545]

What a brilliant tutorial. Can’t wait to try this !

[@tavenchristensen3157]

Beautiful Poppies‼️

[@giulianacassataro2864]

Thank you for this easy to follow and encouraging video. These were a joy to paint. I tried not to be too judgemental about it and just enjoy the looseness of this process and I am pleased with the result. Thank you!!!

[@cherylj.harris4967]

Excellent video and instruction.

[@irenehynes7536]

Wonderful demo and explanations! Thank you for this very helpful video! ❤

[@madelinegrudens]

Absolutely gorgeous!! I'm just seeing your channel now and I'm subscribing because of this stunning first piece!!!

[@sunitamalik4748]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video n your kind encouraging words to hobby painters like me, who always feel that their work is not as perfect like yours

[@ciz4cookies]

So beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Gorgeous! ..and God bless! :)

[@userathanasia]

Excellent technique. I have always loved watercolor. I will try...

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @userathanasia Comments like this are part of why I do this. I love inspiring others, especially in their art journey! Thank you for your sweet comment!

[@fredasidaravicius232]

Beautifully done Susan.

[@ritaharker8792]

I’ve only just found your channel and I’m so pleased I have. This was a beautiful demo and I am definitely going to give it a go as I’m really trying hard to lighten-up. I have subscribed and really look forward to more videos.

[@tanyaperrin8844]

Beautiful!

[@sherrylee6719]

Love this. Please make more watercolor tutorials! Thank you!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much… I absolutely love watercolor and I’ve got a try to fit more watercolor painting in. I’ve had a few life road bumps lately but things have settled out, so hopefully soon!

[@sherrylee6719]

@@monetcafe I totally understand bumps. I was just dx with RA. I'm trying to figure it out. Good luck and God's blessings on you. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world. You are amazing for sharing your gifts.

[@dianas514]

Just discovered your KZbin page. Greatly appreciate your detailed instructions. Looking forward to viewing more of your videos.

[@watjean]

How lovely that was to watch and listen to Your so interesting and relaxed and I’m definitely going to try these poppies Thank you

[@kirstensteward988]

These poppies are amazing! I love poppies so much, l really want to give this a try asap. Thank you for the lesson!😊💕

[@monetcafe]

You should! Give it a go!

[@evelynmatheson2117]

I just subscribed to your channel as I was absolutely blown away with the impressionistic, spontaneous quality of your watercolor painting, the gorgeous way the colors blended creating an ethereal quality to your work, and the great instruction you offered us as well as your encouraging words! ❤ Thank you!😁

[@lovewillwinnn]

🙄

[@peggyconti1225]

How wonderful of you to be so generous with your knowledge and how grateful am I. Never have I watched a tutorial that inspires...couldn't wait to hit that subscribe button.

[@monetcafe]

Awwww!!! So sweet! Thank you Peggy!

[@MsMonika59]

Soo gorgeous 🙏👍

[@lindakuck5981]

This is phenomenal! Im a beginner and I'm hoping one day I might paint something like this. 😊

[@brisharon]

Hi Susan, wow, what an encouraging tutorial - I love it! I tried it and wound up with a piece I liked a lot, and that inspired me to do a little companion piece that I also like! Wish I could show you!

[@johncspine2787]

I’m a total beginner, been collecting supplies, books, vids and colors..the M Graham and Daniel Smith are amazing, all the quinacridone and iridescent ones very neat. The iridescent silver spattered finely makes great stars. There’s a cool spray bottle called Flairosol from Holland, (Amazon) like 14-16 bucks, very fine spray. Your poppies are gorgeous..just saw another poppy tutorial where they dry lifted some curved shapes to gently suggest individual petals, so much to learn! Oh..I’ve been exploring the D Smith Primatek colors made from natural stuff or authentic processes, like Sodalite Genuine and Green Apatite, super interesting colors, you can see Anastasia Mily use the Sodalite in her “Misty Forest Scene” vid..I’m in love w that painting..

[@softlanding138]

Stunning artist you are!

[@monetcafe]

Awww… thanks!

[@anacarrero9411]

The lord is our main artist! And we follow to be the same...I’m going to do this tomorrow.

[@masayoART]

Wow...beautiful painting, and your tutorial inspiring for me, thank you my friend

[@lindajames7083]

Thank you so much. I am trying to loosen up my painting as I find it a little difficult, so this is wonderful 🇬🇧🇬🇧🙏🙏

[@NaamaYM]

Looks so simple, but it's hard to get loose like that. thank you for this tutorial.

[@stayCscizzorhandz]

So gorgeous

[@user-ve6iw4qv3v]

Beautiful

[@gabriellalancini9795]

Bellissimo ☺️

[@falameyers6396]

Perfect

[@Carem44]

Hoping for more Watercolor videos.

[@antonine522]

Thank you for this tuto ; I think my painting is great so the explains were good !

[@monetcafe]

That’s what I love to hear! Thank you so much.

[@kathryndizon7650]

More of like this please. Thank you.

[@monetcafe]

Thanks for that input, @kathryndizon7650! I'll have to keep that in mind!

[@maryn2051]

ffirst time to see your work and I really enjoyed finding you.I will be a regular

[@barbararivera2380]

thank you

[@caroldurst2834]

Thank you

[@sherrylee6719]

I did look for a Bob Ross while at Jerry's Artarama this week. Sadly they didn't have one, but they had a huge Bob Ross display! I love living in the same area as Jerry's Home Office and in the state where Cheap Joe's does business!

[@MaryLSwann]

please do more watercolor you are a great teacher

[@Amah-Lady]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORTS you give in each video to teach and give detailed information. I am a beginner and I have a confusing question: When do I know that in this stage of painting I have to do wet on wet or wet on dry etc? Thank you in advance for your time and help. Best wishes.

[@monetcafe]

That's a good question, Maha. The wet on wet technique will produce softer results with muted edges. This is often a good way to start backgrounds. Working on a dry surface will give you a more textural look and more intense color. Of course the amount of water you add for either technique will also determine the effect. More water lightens the color and is more translucent, and less water to paint ratio will make the colors more intense with less translucency. I'm actually about to upload a new watercolor tutorial today or tomorrow. Hope that helps.

[@lucilleeidse9407]

I just found and subscribed to your channel - love the beautiful loose style of these watercolour poppies! Scrolling through your list of videos I see many pastel videos, not so many watercolour ones- does that mean I “need” to explore another art medium? 😉 💕 Looking forward to watching and learning from many more of your videos!

[@monetcafe]

So happy you are enjoying my lessons Lucille. I have mostly pastel tutorials but also love watercolor. I do plan to add more watercolor tutorials soon. So I hope you keep learning and having fun!

[@laurabyers5172]

Your colors are so alive, so warm and invites you to dip your head to find the scent of these poppies. Just beautiful! I'd like to see you do one in a mini version. I'm currently building a dollhouse, and I think that one or two of these little mini poppies in the pink palette look beautiful in the bathroom. Do you sell your paintings?

[@chiarettamathe7071]

Thank you very much Susan for these beautiful poppies in this video .You are an inspiration and I’m about to start one.Going to send it to my sister will take some times to get there. (From Australia to Sweden) Should I varnish the painting?If yes with what? What would be the best way to send a water colour painting in a cylinder ?Thank you again ,going to watch all your videos.❤️

[@lyndajoyce6243]

Wow! What took me so long to find you? I want to learn to paint loose, and I love this!!

[@monetcafe]

Yippee!!! so glad you found my channel, Lynda!

[@miss.cellanous8610]

Sorry, but did you dry layers between colors? I may have missed it… but all these watercolor poppies are gorgeous!!

[@farmwife7944]

lovely tutorial, thanks, the perfect inspiration I needed to pick up a brush. If folks want to save, display, or gift their pink paintings they may want to chose “Permanent Alizarin Crimson” which is also available by M.Graham instead of the fugitive alizarin crimson you use. If the plan is to scan and copy the painting to keep or gift then fugitive paints will not be an issue. I don’t use fugitive paints just in case I somehow create a painting worthy of display or gifting. My end product is always a surprise!

[@traekas7228]

“Fugitive paints” is a term I haven’t heard about, before. Will you please, briefly, elaborate? Thanks, in advance…

[@farmwife7944]

@@traekas7228 sure. the paint fades. Some wonderful paintings by the masters no longer have the same colors as when they were painted. Fugitive colors are fine if you plan on scanning the painting with the intent of saving the print and not the original painting. Some fugitive paints fade in sunlight, some just in daylight, but some fade just with age even if stored in a dark location. If you plan on saving or gifting a work of art you would want to be certain the paints you use are not fugitive.That info is available on the label as well as from the company that produces it.

[@sandymarr8861]

Actually around $13. Lovely class.

[@traekas7228]

Everyone remember that Poppies are generally red and/or orange. No pink poppies, that I know of. Sorry, Susan. Glad I found your channel ! Edit: Susan. Can you please do a tutorial for painting Nasturtiums? I’ve done an Acrylic painting of some Nasturtiums, which came out okay. But I have a number of sketches of the flowers done from an old friend’s garden, and other places. Sketches are pretty good. I got interested in that particular flower from drawing from a photo by Ansel Adams of one in full bloom.

[@nancyv3090]

Growing in my garden is a pink poppy!

[@monetcafe]

Thanks for your feedback… I guess I was using my artistic license. And I like your suggestion about painting Nasturtiums! I’m going to have to try that.

[@traekas7228]

@@monetcafe Not a worry. I love ❤️ watching your works in progress! My painting, starring the B&W Ansel Adam’s photograph, I first painted the Nasturtium PINK! 🤣! Once I realized through research & sketching live, that I was mistaken,…I just adjusted the colors from pinks to yellows, oranges, reds, and added to the painting. It’s better, imo. Even artistic mistakes to one Artist, like the one I made, are just plain awesomeness to others. 🤗👍

[@klaudiadollbaum6382]

I love your watercolor style and instruction. I love your soft pastel videos too. Question…..do you use or instruct in Pan pastels at all?

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much Klaudia. I have a nice selection of pan pastels and I always forget to use them for video. Perhaps I can do that soon.

[@alioverton3402]

I watched your tutorial and it has inspired me to start painting again thank you so much. Wish I could share what I painted, I'm so happy, thanks to people like you that share their amazing talent. Thanks again. 🥰

[@TheLtData]

Is that a Bob Ross miniature on your desk ; )

[@monetcafe]

Yes, I found him on Amazon but they don’t have this exact one available anymore. I just loved his style of teaching and I like to think that I emulate his relaxed style and love of nature.

[@pattylynn2577]

Would be great if you have a separate channel for watercolor ❤️

[@monetcafe]

Maybe one day!

[@marilehartwig9877]

​@@monetcafe 1😅😅😅😅😅😅😅ooi>p⅝pp

[@lindakuck5981]

Agreed! 😊

[@rayemartineau8644]

💓👍👀 3/20/22

[@kellerlinda5140]

Hi Susan A little tip to clean a plastic palette. Use olive oil....it's magic

[@monetcafe]

Wow... that's awesome! Thank you Keller!

[@smkdesigns24]

I have a Boss Ross lol

[@softlanding138]

You can get the stain off plastic with any toothpaste!

[@ssadvweld1]

Toothpaste and a little elbow grease will clean the pigment from a plastic palette FYI.

[@monetcafe]

Oh, that is great to hear! Thank you so much for sharing that.

[@ssadvweld1]

@@monetcafe No problem. Make sure it's the white pasty kind.

[@sherrylee7616]

I know you did this vidoe a year or so again and I looked at the current price of the little porcelain pallet and it has gone up to over 15 dollars. That's a big jump! Just since I've been painting in the last 5 years, the price of art supplies have soared!

[@monetcafe]

Yes, Sherry. Seems like everything is getting expensive these days! Hope things change.

[@karenmcelroy9571]

How about a watercolor channel??

[@monetcafe]

I would love to focus more on watercolor painting, or even have a channel devoted to just that. I need to clone myself though. Creating and editing the videos is pretty time-consuming :( I'll try to keep sprinkling in more watercolor though :)

[@karenmcelroy9571]

@@monetcafe i love watching your videos using pastels but Watercolor is my medium. Thx!