Watercolor Tutorial | How to Paint Sunflowers!

In this watercolor tutorial, I teach you how to paint a sunflower from two different perspectives. This is a step-by-step beginner-friendly painting instruction, I hope you enjoy these floral watercolor tips and techniques!
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MUSIC: paid for and licenses acquired from Artlist.
00:00 - Intro
00:39 - What we’re doing and supplies to use.
01:56 - How to sketch two perspectives.
07:18 - The eraser that feels like childhood.
08:01 - Side facing sunflower sketch.
11:18 - Sketches done, ready to paint!
15:57 - Jenna’s sunflower field experience.
17:45 - Behind petals, shadow work.
18:31 - How Jenna REALLY feels about sunflowers…
18:50 - Completed unrelated talk while painting…
20:30 - Darkening tops of the petals.
21:02 - John’s encouragement.
21:52 - Now for “stemmy-stem”
22:53 - Reference photos vs. painting from basic shapes.
24:32 - Details on petals.
27:01 - What makes a strong couple? Here’s our secret.
27:47 - Jenna, where does the color yellow rank?
29:54 - Adding light shadow to the “topper flowers” haha
30:45 - Here’s a gold nugget painting tip.
32:12 - You’re kind of like lady Van Gogh rn.
32:38 - Side-facing Sunflower time!
33:46 - Let’s talk accents (question for our global viewers!)
35:50 - Anyways, back to flower talk.
36:45 - Talking blending and overlapping colors.
38:11 - Are you having fun?
38:28 - John takes over teaching.
39:03 - This conversation should’ve been on another video??
39:54 - Talking dark petals.
40:47 - Shadows, then water to blend…
42:54 - Jenna, did your morning exercise give you inspiration today?
44:29 - Now on to the green parts.
44:53 - That takes me to the barn; to the country.
47:16 - Dry brush work and subtle (yet important!) lines.
48:39 - Stamen time! Or… bulb time. Someone correct me.
50:08 - Closing thoughts on the sunflowers.

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Hey friends! Did you paint along? How did it turn out? What do you think of my sunflowers? Let me know your thoughts! If you want to learn how to paint more flowers, check out my floral watercolor playlist HERE: bit.ly/3uuszbg

[@_hajizahnaafia_9472]

Please indonesian subtitle 😉

[@jojocatattack]

I painted along and I am thrilled. It is my first finished tutorial. Thank you!

[@mydearRita]

I painted along, the front view of the flower. I took advantage of having a sunflower right on my garden and checked on its color and used some cadmium orange with the yellow. Flower came out pretty, using your shadow pointers. Thank you. I would divide the video into part one, front view and part two for the side view. What do you think?

[@nicolekallend561]

This is the first tutorial of yours I've followed and it came out amazing. I'm so happy to have found your channel! A South African here, and yes I do break out into American at times for fun😁

[@crazycat_Phoebe]

Thanks Jenna, I am so happy with this tutorial. The tips you share are so wonderful, have fallen in love with watercolours because of you.

[@lorenoakes3934]

Close ups are great, he does a great job. Up close is very important.

[@cindybehr5283]

I'm new to art and painting, but loving learning from you! I'm feeling some success. Thank you

[@allisonhollier118]

So I looked this up specifically looking for a “Jenna Rainey Sunflower” this morning and I just have to say, 1) What a great sunflower video and 2) I MISS JOHN. Lol. I love y’all’s playful goofiness…

[@kimfilek9717]

I have a new appreciation for sunflowers now...Beautiful. I love how you two interact with each other..so cute and funny too

[@gailmiller5226]

So fun to watch and listening to you two ❤️ Can’t wait to begin it!

[@annehebert6959]

First - I love Blackwing pencils. Secondly - I loved your little Clean up song - I used to sing it with my kids at bedtime when it was time to put away their toys. Thank you for the memory. Love your videos.

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Haha, glad the clean up song was appreciated and brought back some fond memories!

[@marlenedelvecchio8074]

I love this & I’ve so enjoyed you & John’s banter! It makes the video much more relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you!

[@susanhendrickson2400]

This is my favorite of all your wonderful tutorials.

[@trishs.4326]

Yes you two converse well together☺️😉👍🇦🇺

[@lorihempel3817]

Hi I Just started water coloring painting and find your videos very helpful, I can't wait to try this one out. Thanks for all your work.

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Happy painting, Lori! 💕

[@neridadamas1649]

Your sunflower is inspirational. : )

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

💕💕

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Sunflowers are my favorite!

[@reand.6223]

Hi Jenna and husband. I recently reconnected with watercolors, after the death of my dog. I am new to your channel. I want to express how much I truly enjoyed working on the Sunflower tonight. The sunflower has a very beautiful meaning…. When the sun is out, they turn towards the sun… but, when the day is dark or gloomy, they turn to each other. Thank you. I recently bought your book. Also, I love the back and forth with your husband. It made me feel as if I was painting with you guys in your studio. Much blessings.

[@neridadamas1649]

So sorry for loss if dog. Same happened to me last December. Go to shelter adopt another fur ever friend. We did. Best decision. Her sunflowers inspire me too. Best of luck.

[@colleenm9188]

I'd never heard that clean up song before! Very cool shape tutorial for the side view sunflower. Thanks for teaching us! I enjoyed the John-Jenna chat too! 💜🙏🏻

[@alicelayton7295]

Thank you Jenna this really helped me to learn how to draw and paint some good sunflowers

[@elizabethbell8610]

A perfect tutorial to take us into the weekend. Just watching for now and it's so very relaxing and informative. Thanks Jenna.

[@rachellewilkens6846]

You two are adorable 🥰 Thanks for this video! 🌻

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

💕💕

[@kim99may]

❤️🌈❤️ Wow the petals painted darker behind made them come off the page. Love them.

[@lynnbland]

That was really the best sunflower tutorial!

[@jctyco8540]

My first ever video of yours was really this one. Loved the clean-up song!

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Glad you liked it!

[@hazel1123]

Thank you so much for this video. I’ve painted at least 10 sunflowers this weekend and my inner critic is either tired or just knows that the last couple were pretty good. I like trying to draw the flower. The way you show us how to draw by drawing basic shapes works. Thanks again.

[@bonnetteaalders7361]

John…we truely like the close ups 🤣 and the talks you two have are very relaxing during me, painting 💝

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Aw John appreciates the love!!

[@reneebanbury7066]

I love sunflowers! Thank you!

[@Michiyo65]

I did this tutorial yesterday and I really enjoyed it! That sunflowers turned out amazing! Thank you so much! My dad loved sunflowers, they were his favorite so it was nice to learn how to paint these in such a nice fashion!

[@melinda2002]

Thank you SO much, I had the best time painting these happy sunflowers!

[@l26738]

Such a wonderful tutorial-loved the sketching practice!! I'll paint these sunflowers over and over. As a recently retired kindergarten teacher, had a HAHA over the cleanup song-we sang EVERY day)! LOVE your videos!

[@ei3577]

Thank you so much, Jenna!

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

You’re welcome!

[@PokerYogi]

We appreciate the close ups!!! :D Thank ya'll sooooo much.

[@riavandenberg5203]

Love your sunflowers. Ik know what I'm gonna do this weekend 🌻🌻 Thank you for your inspiration.

[@alanabooth5434]

This was so very inspiring. I loved it and tell John I loved the close ups...thank you!

[@ladyoftheveil8342]

Thank you for making this video, I didn't start painting until I was 50 but I use to model for my dear friend Artist Fred Marchman who passed in 2016 . I am pretty much self taught and enjoy watching art teaching videos . Art is therapy for me

[@starlightglazer9181]

Thank you for ALL your video's! I have learned and continue to learn so much from you!

[@soniastewart4379]

Loved your sunflowers and your teaching! Thank you

[@patjonesgreen5183]

Yes please on the close ups. Love them!

[@lourdesgallegos7508]

The close ups are AMAZING!! I plan on painting this as a gift soon. Love it!

[@consueloyoung4484]

Thank you Jenna and John!!, also happy birthday to you John. I can’t tell you how much fun I had with this tutorial, the wonderful banter between the two of you adds such a delicious flavor to the palette!!😊. Don’t ever ask to see my sunflowers, though my Ross tells me I am my own worst enemy. Perhaps he is right!!. I learned so much, especially the drawing part. You two think you are behind the ball with movies?!at my house, we will watching Saul tonight!!!. Thank you both, and for me…today is not spring 😂

[@conniehall7717]

Happy, happy birthday John! Hope your day is wonderful! Also, thanks for your amazing job you do with selecting the beautiful music as Jenna is painting; the lighting and camera angle is perfect also! I really appreciate the high level of quality you bring to is that helps us learn from Jenna. Your work is PERFECT! BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS!! 🎶🎉🎂🎈🍕!!

[@trishs.4326]

I do really appreciate the close ups thanks

[@barbaramunford5472]

Best sunflower tutorial! I actually think I can do this one!

[@catherineadkins2774]

I love the sunflowers! Thanks for the close ups John! Love painting flowers! Y’all are awesome! ❤️

[@aliyehr1613]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of painting with others. I love your work

[@nanjohnson6904]

Loved doing these sunflowers. So much fun. Thanks Jenna! (And John)

[@EnjoyDrawingwithMary]

They are very cute sunflowers 😃 love the sketches in two perspectives. I painted sunflower with watercolor pencils a few months ago and this is going to be a good preparation for watercolor sunflower 🤩🌄🌻🌻 thank you for sharing Jenna and have a wonderful weekend 💗🤗💗

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Thanks for the feedback and all the love! Have a lovely weekend!

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Love your interaction with your camera guy🥰

[@brittneyhood1887]

Beautiful. My favorite sunflowers I have seen yet… it’s my goal mastering sunflowers a goal of mine. Thank you for adding the second perspective! I’m still trying to work out how to paint (and draw) flowers from a side view. Very helpful.

[@barbaracabrera207]

YES,...LOVE the close ups. They are great. And very helpful to see the details. Thx Austin,TX USA

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

You look all summery today!! Pretty sleeves ☀️ 🌻 I appreciate the pencil sketches of the basic shapes and perspective. soft lead sounds amazing for drawing, I’ve seen that pencil trending lately 😍✍️

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Definitely feeling summery! 😊 So glad the pencil sketches are helpful for you, thanks for the feedback! Have a great weekend! ❤️

[@jeaneth0887]

thank you for this tutorial, I really enjoyed myself. I was feeling a bit down today, but John's comments made me feel happy and I really enjoyed painting along with you two. I think you both make a great team. I love the close ups John!

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Aw love hearing this and we’re both so happy that we could lift your spirits! Take care!! ❤️

[@Camstersgam]

@@JennaRaineyChannel thank you lovely sunflowers I also liked seeing really like the detailed howto closeups🌻🌻🌻🌻and technique

[@lindasplaylist100]

Best tutorials on KZbin. Thank you so much from someone who wanted to go to art school but my parents refused. You give me inspiration

[@Jules4Hymn]

Loved the ponytail analogy. Nice nugget of info.

[@claudiabaker45]

Enjoyed this tutorial; PACKED with good techniques, including John’s closeups! Fun!

[@lynnrush7166]

A fabulous video with lots of inspiration and information. Plus the closeups are extremely helpful! Thank you both so much for sharing your time and talents with us. 👏👏❤️❤️

[@martyvan5015]

Love the close ups John👏👏👍🏼👍🏼🤗

[@susanlyman-krom2661]

I loved painting these Sunflowers!! Thank you!

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Yay! ❤️

[@susanhodel3194]

Yes John this is fun, but you sure can tell who the prof artist is. 😊 I’m doing all the lessons in the Sketchbook. Thanks for the lessons.

[@Shrn57]

Hi Jenna and hubby! Thanks for the sunflower tutorial. You make it look seamless! I'm new to watercolors and I'm very motivated by your work and your techniques. And I love the close ups!!! Thanks sooooo much!

[@kimskitchen123]

Love this tutorial! 💕🌻

[@gailcartee2100]

Loved this!

[@mulla_modi]

I think ur husband is a great contributer to all ur paintings, but, seriously, more than a tutorial this video is a family picnic

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

❤️❤️

[@KK-tx2cm]

You are amazing!! Thank you for these super detailed tutorials that is really helpful to beginners like me !

[@rdrobertssr]

Thanks for the close ups. Lol nice details seriously.

[@lisamurphy5007]

Yes, we like the close ups!

[@katestjames6226]

Thank you Jenna (and John!) for another excellent tutorial. So delighted I found you on the 'net, especially good during Australia's extended lockdown. I'll be joining your Patreons soon. :)

[@maydella1978]

I was watching intently and being entertained by you and Jon.... I used watercolor pencils and your sketch tips is super helpful.

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Glad this was helpful and entertaining for you!

[@barbaracabrera207]

I like learning how to sketch before painting. Cuz sketching is very difficult to me. Sizing relationships between parts. I don't know right words. But one size too big in comparison. So sketching 1st seems helpful. Even if we sketch several to practice, and pick best to paint. And the shading makes things look REAL! You explained why you shaded certain areas. So knowing that, we can do more than just copy. Use that for other works. And telling us the paint colors you are using is great. Yes, I'm having fun watching. Enjoying y'all's banter!!! And really learning so much. Thanks to you BOTH for the video. 0h, and the part about making the lines on petals go like a pony tail. Great visual we can keep in our minds!!! Those basics aren't "basic" to me, as a beginner. So I appreciate them. Love your sunflowers!!! They are beautiful, and so realistic. Just lovely!!! Austin,TX USA

[@azjudith77]

So fun so gorgeous! Thank you for you!

[@vrto3961]

Hi Jenna (and John!), I really enjoyed this tutorial (and the banter was rather heart-warming, too!), and my sunflowers turned out amazingly well for this beginner. I'm headed over to your Patreon platform. Many thanks for putting these together.

[@KCCAT5]

Wow, I did it!. And to be honest it didn't look that bad not as pretty as yours but very realistic looking. Thank you Jenna

[@carmensol34]

Thank you so much for the sketch! I have problems with prospective, don’t know why but those-ovals helps a lot! ❤️

[@lorrainemanning3809]

Love love love this 🌻. You two crack me up 🤣 😂.

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

❤️😂

[@elizabethcarlone1364]

Enjoyed looking at you painting the beautiful sunflower video. I love your accents and color chooses. The song you sang was so cute. My Great granddaughter sings that song after she finishes playing. You are a gifted art.

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

I had a transparent lilac eraser like that 😂 I probably used to annoy everyone by constantly clicking it up and down Definitely nostalgic childhood school days

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Haha, the clicking is addicting!

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

@@JennaRaineyChannel hahaha the banter in this video! You two need your own sitcom I also had a Facebook profile pic with sunflowers 🌻 back in uni my best friend lived on a sunflower farm. They grew to 6 foot! 🌻 Towered over me! Great close ups John 🎦 And yeah the olive green is definitely a farm colour, that and yellow ochre fields . Although I’m not so keen on manure 😂 💩 Your water and awesome accent are South African. 🇿🇦 🌏 The sunflower’s butt cheek looked like a pear 🍐 And yes, you do have a loose sunflower tutorial in the everyday flowers book, think you also had a pic of a floral composition in there with a daisy or sunflower at the center🤔 🌻 📚

[@dianetenbrink4954]

So much fun learned a lot

[@rhondapoon7998]

I absolutely love this tutorial. I watched it first then I am going to do it. I really appreciate the wonderful close ups John and your encouraging words to Jenna. I love your banter.! Speaking about accents, I am from Trinidad and Tobago, and please, no offense but we don’t sound Jamaican!!!

[@priscillawarren9979]

Thank you for showing shadow details.

[@shelbysears4983]

Fun tutorial! Sunflowers are my favorites - my daughter and I got sunflower tatoos together :)

[@discoverthehiddenart]

Wow !!

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

❤️

[@trishs.4326]

You both are a great combo 👍🙂 Keep it up 👏

[@wanderingcreativity]

Thanks Friend

[@mitchteacher3183]

easy to follow very nice

[@ldsouza98]

Beautiful Learned a lot. Thank you for the closeups’s John.

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Glad to hear this, John appreciate the love! ❤️

[@lindastanley7406]

great video! enjoyed very much

[@OldVillagePaint]

Love the closeups!!!

[@Wonderwomantam]

This was very helpful 🌻

[@lorenoakes3934]

I purchased “Everyday Watercolor “ great to companion with the you tube video

[@pamelalengyel2841]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. It came at just the right time for me. I just had a commission for sunflowers I will post in my IG and tag you. ❤️

[@trishs.4326]

I’m Australian & yes yes we do 😆

[@anisham.3590]

Early! So beautiful!!!!

[@JennaRaineyChannel]

Yay! Thank you!

[@TheJessore]

I see your newest tutorial about how to paint Sunflowers. Thank you.

[@xTK421x]

adding a touch of b.umber to the front most petals really separates them from secondary row of petals

[@nancyrousseau9714]

In a previous video you mentioned using Mars black. What other Winsor Newton black could I use?

[@kecall]

Ok. I have a request: I think we need a video of John painting along with you! How fun would that be?! :)

[@cindymccann3753]

This was so much fun. John's interaction brings light to your already sunshiny personality. I like the care to paint each section. I'm watching this over again ...and again. Thanks.

[@rnee1000]

Great video!! from a fellow SoCal gal!

[@sarahnunnelly3268]

Loved the sunflowers! I don’t have lemon yellow deep…what color should I use. Who makes lemon yellow deep? Thanks!

[@nancyrousseau9714]

Around how far down do you make the second circle of the sunflower? I found it very helpful! Thanks 😊

[@Vocatio_PaulaFerreira]

Hi Jenna! Could tou please teach us a Rose? Kisses from Brazil.

[@alanabooth5434]

Yes! A rose would be awesome!

[@maryalfredo3540]

What were the name of your brushes again? Ty your a excellent teacher!!!!!!❤❤❤

[@cmrobinsDJ]

She links all her supplies in the comments which is awesome. Princeton Heritage 4050 size 6

[@xTK421x]

@your hubby: What is a mmpf? lol. Jenna, I did sunflowers under my daughters name in street tag style letters (her request). Thanks to you I have a great refresher to move forward with. I have a great photo I took of a Sunflower that had a perfectly naturally formed heart symbol in the middle. I should send you a pic.....

[@delilatumen1093]

Eskiz çizimin çok başarılı..

[@micanugg196]

What kind of pencil is it? Like hp or 2b?