How to Paint Loose Watercolor Flowers in Just 5 Minutes: A Relaxing Creative Practice
Have you been wanting to fill up your sketchbook with dreamy watercolor flowers, without overthinking every brushstroke? If you’re anything like me, sometimes you just need to move some paint around and let go of all the pressure to make something perfect.
Whether you’re a beginner or simply need a relaxing creative session, this loose watercolor florals tutorial emphasizes freedom, play, and mindfulness over perfection.
(P.S. if you want to paint loose florals with me for just $19, use this link! I’ll be going LIVE on May 28th to paint the below illustration together. A replay will be sent out to those who can’t join live.)
Why Loose Watercolor Florals?
Loose watercolor painting is about more than technique. It’s a method that allows artists to reconnect with their tools and intuition.
I turn to loose floral painting whenever I want a reset, warm-up, or explore a new color (hello Perlene Violet). There’s no pressure to make something realistic–just mindful brush movements, organic shapes, and the joy of watching pigment flow on the page.
In this tutorial, the supplies I use are:
A round brush
My watercolor sketchbook
Water + towel
Whatever paint is already on my palette (yes, even dried bits!!)
I don’t worry too much about the exact colors, I just see what happens.
My Process: Painting Loose Watercolor Flowers
Warm Up Your Hands: Start by loosening up, literally. I always start by loosening up my hand and brushing a few strokes to wake up the page. Using the tip of the brush, then pressing down, I create petals with a single, expressive stroke.
Use Brush Control Techniques: Each petal is made by pushing down to fan out the brush, then lifting. I let the water and paint do their thing. Transparency, blooms, and jagged edges are all part of the charm.
**Work While It’s Still Wet:** While the paint is still wet, I love dropping in more color, maybe a deeper tone in the center or a surprise pop of green. This creates beautiful blending and depth without needing multiple layers.
Add Leaves + Play with Composition: Using the leftover green on my palette, I add leaves and filler shapes. I don’t aim for perfection; I just keep turning the page, watching the balance come together, and letting intuition guide the layout.
Vary Your Shapes and Sizes: Not every flower has to be the same! Try four petals, five, or open blooms from the side. Overlapping is totally okay and actually makes the page look more natural.
Why You Should Try this Watercolor Practice
This isn’t just about flowers. It’s about building brush confidence, exploring your palette, and letting go. Your sketchbook doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s your space to experiment, try new things, and discover your style!
Want more Loose Floral projects to paint?
If you enjoyed this floral practice, I’ve created a Watercolor Painting Loose Florals class you can check out. We go deeper into techniques like this–still relaxed and beginner-friendly, but with a bit more structure to help you grow.
Let me know if you paint along–I’d love to see what you create! ❤️
