Whimsical Trees and Floral Drawings

Learn to incorporate watercolor and floral line drawing in this simple tutorial. Add a little lettering to make these into cards or framed art.
Full step by step instructions with photos at: www.lesliewritesitall.com/whimsical-watercolor-trees-and-simple-floral-drawings
Tools:
Blick Premier watercolor block 140 lb cold press ➡
Watercolors in various colors (I'm using Winsor and Newton Professional Watercolors in tubes that I put into a palette) ➡ amzn.to/2CghOOw
Princeton Velvetouch 3950 watercolor brushes in round 12 ➡ amzn.to/2Cg3Vjw
Blicks Master Synthetic watercolor brush in round 10 ➡
Sakura Pigma Micron 05 ➡ amzn.to/2BrUKzJ
Sakura Pigma Graphic 1 ➡ amzn.to/2sqHpEF
Zebra fude disposable brush pen in medium tip ➡ amzn.to/2Bp07PU
Step 1: Watercolor shapes in ovals, circles, and triangles
Begin by painting some simple shapes in a variety of colors. You want to create variation and variety in your painting by changing the shapes and sizes. These larger shapes will eventually be the trees that we draw in. Keeping them in different sizes will give your painting some more interesting elements.
Step 2: Draw inside watercolor shapes
Once the painting is dry, we can start drawing. Make the first mark by drawing a line through the center of the shape. This will be the tree trunk for which you draw leaves and other branches from.
Once the trunks are drawn in, begin drawing the branches and embellishing them. Here is where we can get really creative with shapes and geometric patterns. I varied each tree to make them all unique and different. Some trees are more elaborate and have whimsical leaves with berries and others just have a single dot at the ends.
Step 3: Add lettering
Lastly, we want to add some lettering. You can use a pen to sketch ahead of time so you can figure out spacing of your words. Another option, which I prefer, is to write your phrase on a scrap piece of paper first and use it as a guide. I began with a sans serif font written in the Sakura Pigma Graphic 1 pen and ended with a brush calligraphy style in the Zebra fade disposable brush pen in medium.
Step 4: Trim as needed
Trim your paper if you need to.
And that's it! Try to be creative by changing the colors of the trees and improving your embellishments to the tree drawings.
Note: Affiliate links used where applicable. Affiliate links are paid links where I receive a commission whenever you purchase from my links. These commissions go to help me pay for creating more content.
Music from www.bensound.com

[@dennisbowman3042]

WOW!!! I love these trees!!! Thank you. Debbie

[@lesleydrew9843]

Only just stumbled upon this tutorial today and had to say how simple this was yet so pretty. I haven't given watercolour doodles a try yet but this has inspired me to give it a go. Thanks for sharing x

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

I love hearing that! I hope you enjoy watercoloring! It's such a relaxing hobby.

[@Acd-Efz]

That, I could do … Not the calligraphy, of course … But the trees, perhaps … Thank you for sharing 6 years ago …

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

I'm working on new content soon... I hope!

[@gbohn5641]

charming and inspirational. Tanks for sharing.

[@carolyndaughton3373]

This turned out beautifully! I love the accent with the pens.

[@gracielagarcia4287]

❤❤ Love it just Gorgeous Tks..❤❤

[@syedafatima4940]

It is super cute😃💕

[@slyseyes]

Oh my gosh...you can paint a perfect circle! That always amazes me. I love your art form.

[@lizdouglas1952]

Precious, and Beautiful!!😘💖🎨

[@solmassages9732]

I love the rainbow colors and pretty simple doodles!

[@abeershaatable]

thank you Leslie. I wish you all the best.

[@43Marjorie]

This looks like such good fun. Thank you for sharing.

[@maggiedonaldson8432]

So beautiful. The calligraphy just finishes it off perfectly

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

Lettering is my first love!

[@SuperNora2008]

The drawing gives me joy and peace. A very fresh and clean look. Perfect for my home. Thank you for inspiring me to try this at home.

[@rainforme1850]

I’ve been doing this kind of art with colored pens for a while but have been wanting to go to watercolors. Your tutorial is so easy to follow that it has inspired me to give it a try.

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

That's awesome! Makes me so happy to hear you'll give watercolors a try!

[@rainforme1850]

L I can’t really leave a comment to what I would like to see because I’m so new I don’t even know what I need to know. However your whimsical flowers going to be a good project for me as I learn the different mediums such as watercolors and acrylic paints. I think you very much. I don’t intend to sell anything but I’m having so much fun I feel like a child who has just discovered mud puddles .

[@gailsackett3355]

Thank you for this tutorial. Well done.

[@thecraftywitch510]

Loved this Ty.....and such a calm lovely voice x

[@vickiward4416]

So glad I found you. Loved this tutorial & can't wait to see more.

[@janazavitz212]

I just found this video and absolutely LOVE it! Thanks for sharing how you created this - I definitely want to give this a try!

[@marybethsinn6792]

I made some fun bookmarks using this tutorial thanks for the inspiration !!

[@ArtfulTwist]

Great tutorial!! Thank you for sharing ❤🎨✒️🖌

[@georgialydic6468]

Thank you for sharing your process. Due to your excellent instructions I know I want to try this. Thank you for the download :)

[@KD-vw3bv]

Beautiful!!! 💚💜💙

[@maryspringer1442]

I am glad I stumbled upon you today looking for simple watercolor paintings to make thank you cards out of. New subscriber now and looking forward to more of your videos on my days off and at night when I can relax. I find painting to be so relaxing when I am stressed out or even tired. It may be intimidating at first but once I get going its very relaxing and addicting. These type of paintings are nice as anyone can do them no matter what skill level your at, and you can make them into any type of card you want or wall art. Thanks for sharing.

[@jaisai9995]

This is so inspirational, thank you soooooo much! Love it! 💗💗💗🌻🌷🌸

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

You're so welcome!!

[@jaisai9995]

@@LeslieWritesItAll I have credited you on IG for the inspiration. Thank you 💙🙏

[@tamielizabethallaway2413]

Omg! Looks too good to have been painted and drawn! Looks printed! That lettering was just like 😱😱😱 how on earth did you do that? I could rewatch it a hundred times and still not figure out how you did that! There's definitely a knack to the way you did that, that simply can't be "taught". Just beautiful! I never would have believed this was done by hand if I hadn't witnessed it happening. Had to subscribe! 😘😘😘

[@cherryberry2423]

Please do more of these - I just love this!

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

I'm trying to make it a new year's goal of mine!

[@rozenart5768]

So very pretty!!

[@debbieekes5718]

I really love this.

[@joannedonovan9489]

Those are really pretty! Thanks!!

[@kathf2932]

Love this!

[@susanprice3144]

So loverly, thank so much,Sue x.

[@lesleykollinsky7968]

Thank you, I really enjoyed watching this tutorial!

[@ceecee3488]

What a nice lesson! Can't wait to try it for myself. Thankyou.

[@mzbunnicula]

So beautiful! Have always loved your work of course but loving that music and soothing voice! Can’t wait to try this

[@anacristinaValencia]

Demasiado hermoso y de buen gusto tu dibujo, algo fantástico!!! Te felicito!!!

[@sweethomes674]

Beautiful 😊Thank you 🕊🎨🖼

[@j.m.griffin1798]

Fun and relaxing!

[@LightLynne]

I love that you are on KZbin now! Sweet painting. I really enjoyed watching you create!🌹

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it!

[@jeangrice5462]

This is beautiful. You make it looks so simple.

[@michelleortega6005]

Love it. Thank you for sharing.

[@ritad.4926]

Amazing🤩

[@venusiandesigns]

Love it

[@cmcdermott882]

Great! Very inspirational ❣️🤗❣️

[@mariajosemelomorales1090]

OMG SEEMS SO EASY! I follow you from Colombia, I love you ig page. Thanks to share your passion!

[@shirleyrisk8938]

no on TV V V C ee C C tss

[@ericagraham733]

So cute! I love this!🍃

[@lenad1648]

NICE!!

[@sculptor210]

So bright and uplifting...new sub here!

[@mimilou975]

❤❤❤

[@n0_view868]

🌸

[@angelapage4330]

Gorgeous, v inspiring

[@bhavyajoshi327]

So so pretty 😍

[@jenniferlang1393]

I love this......show me more!! Oh, sorry....Please show me more!!😍😍😍

[@patticampbell2486]

My first time observing your art. This was so fun! Love it! Thank you!

[@Susyqqs]

Very pretty .

[@debbieekes5718]

Love this! ❤️ Thanks

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

Beautiful. I so love the whimsical feel of watercolor and pen details. Great tutorial, thank you. New subscriber, so happy I found you.

[@lovebaking2503]

I use color pencil for the background, thanks for the inspiration!

[@Nicoleclog]

This is beautiful , love it

[@iminco9844]

Excellent channel!

[@sharonrussell7933]

How fun!

[@jsth2breethe]

I loved this IG post. Thanks so much for making a tutorial that’s easy to understand and follow 🙂

[@plan4life]

Beautiful painting. Totally crazy that YT is only starting to recommend your videos to people. Im subscribed now anyway so hope you decide to make more videos, your total views should start to pick up now!

[@music-sc7eg]

Well, youtube is all about profit and as some ads are now 30m long they clearly want us to pay for adblocking and to heck with the channels that provide us with content with very little recompense.

[@anne-mettelarsen7659]

Really beautiful!! And looks do-able (maybe not brush lettering 😉)

[@gingerwhalen7734]

Just love...

[@sylviamcauley8454]

Loved watching this, just have to get my courage up to give it a try. I do have some worries about how to mix colours though

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

If you're just starting, try using colors that are similar first! Try mixing your pinks with orange or yellow to get new colors. When you're feeling more adventurous, you can start experimenting with colors that are further away from each other on the color wheel!

[@MusicIsMyLife-qm4rf]

Amazing

[@gail2139]

Inspiring!

[@goldielocks591]

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🌹

[@lindadouglas7429]

THANK YOU..You will fine .

[@LeighPogue]

Very pretty. Simple, yet not. The doodling just makes this so interesting. Love it. Just found your channel. I had to sub. Thanks

[@elizabethgrining5433]

First time seeing your art - just gorgeous! I subscribed.

[@mariecrowe8843]

Totally lovely🌞❤️👏🏻

[@alisamelissa4382]

So bright and funny :)

[@ConnieHildebrand]

Thanks for this clear, concise video! I will try this and have subscribed to your site.❤️

[@lauragrissommorris6000]

Enjoyed your creative, whimsical style plus I love trees, birds and nature subjects. Your voice is also sweet and soothing. Try not to “vocal fry” (google it), especially since you’re using your voice a lot. The “vocal fry” will take its toll over time.

[@shantal1666]

Sigue haciendo vídeos, me gustan. Saludos

[@francesdmackay]

What fun, have subscribed. Thanks

[@Marian.Mateo8]

¡Hermoso!

[@monak9250]

Beautiful in going to give this a try

[@dmitrievdenis3437]

очень красиво!

[@bonniekramer8048]

First time seeing you. Enjoyed it very much. I’ll check you out on IG, too.

[@sherrywoods4630]

OH!! I’ve been following you on IG, but this is the first time I’ve watched your YT channel. What fun!! I will try this - I like it so much. I know it’s months away, but could you maybe show an equally simple design for a holiday card? (I need a lot of lead time to get them done.- LOL).

[@MR-pe9pv]

Superb

[@brendareed5050]

Try doodling with a white pen on your darker colors.

[@music-sc7eg]

Very nice, I like it. Also like Iraville but would prefer no music which makes it difficult to hear you. Had to opt for subtitles.

[@laurie3881]

Agreed. Music is totally not needed :)

[@music-sc7eg]

Thanks for replying.

[@sandiriemann4879]

I Just Saw You For The First Time, and Subscribed. LOVELY. Where Did You Get Your PAPER CUTTER?

[@elizat.7544]

Sandi Riemann Hi, I've got the same cutter and it's made by Fiskars. Hope this helps.

[@Plookiss]

Lovely video, will have to try this! Wouldn't these pen nibs be damaged on cold press water colour paper please? I have the same pens but worried in case the nibs break.

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

Yes the paper is extremely textured so I had to press gently and make multiple passes to get it dark enough.

[@joyceamend4314]

Super! What size is your finished piece after you trimmed it?

[@kathynavarro-sochel755]

Wonderful. Question: is there something you can recommend to “cover” and protect the colors of any watercolor project if hung?

[@LeslieWritesItAll]

I don't cover my watercolors with anything but if you were planning to display, make sure to use "archival quality" art supplies (high quality paper that's acid free, light fast watercolor). Then I would look for a picture frame with maybe a museum quality glass (to protect it from light). The last part is pretty expensive and extra. I think using archival quality is good enough.

[@FrenchTipsAndFrenchies]

So beautiful! Which type of brush pens do you find work best on watercolor paper?

[@rablount]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@ianibrown8103]

Do you pre plan the fine detail or do it as you go….?

[@judithjarvis8417]

Have just watched you for the first time and this is beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration. Are you on Instagram by any chance?

[@mariamkinen8036]

What's the catch here? Print? Ready made.

[@donieoldham9856]

Y

[@patriciapassick1420]

So clear and concise. You didn't drag it out with useless dribble, all your info was valuable to me and then I Subscribed.

[@faithdotjpg]

SAME!!

[@sarahhudson4034]

Love this!!

[@deborahmeyers7839]

I love your tutorial you do beautiful artwork thank you 🌺