I Designed My Own Watercolor Set, Let's Try It!
- Shayda Campbell
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Today’s tutorial is extra special! We’re painting a loose, expressive floral illustration using my brand-new watercolor set — a collection of 24 curated colors developed in partnership with Daler Rowney. These paints were designed with floral illustration in mind, and I’m so excited to finally share them with you.
This beginner-friendly lesson walks you through every step of the process: from the initial sketch to layering transparent watercolor to create vibrant snapdragon blossoms in an antique vase.
Download the full sketch over on Patreon:👉 https://www.patreon.com/posts/116970073
Supplies Used
Shop My New Watercolor Set: https://amzn.to/3Vg1SHp
Princeton Neptune Brush Set: https://amzn.to/3f9HEdb
Step 1: Sketch Your Composition
Start with a light pencil sketch of your subject — in this case, a vintage-style vase filled with tall snapdragon stems. Keep the lines loose and free. This isn’t about perfection!
Use messy ovals and scribbled stems to suggest the flower shapes
Add detail to the vase if you like, including floral motifs or decorative patterns
Finalize the drawing with a waterproof fine liner
Step 2: Prep Your Paints
This paint set includes my favorite greens, natural earth tones, and signature floral hues like Purple Lake, Rose Madder Hue, and Naples Yellow.
For florals: Mix Cerulean Blue with Rose Madder or use Purple Lake directly
For leaves: Blend Olive Green, Leaf Green, and a hint of Van Dyke Brown
For shadows: Start with white, then add brown, blue, and a touch of magenta for a warm gray
Have two jars of clean water and a paper towel handy for blotting your brush.
Step 3: Paint the Florals
Begin with the blossoms.
Use a filbert brush to make gestural marks — press and lift to form petals
Paint with a mix of lighter and darker shades for dimension
Leave some areas transparent by diluting the pigment with more water
Add stems and leaves with a round brush in soft, natural greens
Remember: it’s all about mark making. Let go of precision and focus on the feeling of the floral shapes.
Step 4: Paint the Vase
Use a warm gray mixture to create subtle shadow on the vase.
Focus the darker values near the base and under the flower cluster
Lift highlights with a paper towel while the paint is still wet
Once dry, add floral decoration to the vase with loose brown brush marks to echo the hand-painted ceramic style
Step 5: Layer and Finish
With your base layers dry, return with darker, more saturated colors:
Use Purple Lake or a burgundy mix to build contrast in the blossoms
Deepen the greens to give shape and structure to the leaves
Add final shadow touches to the vase and base to anchor the composition
Sign your work with your fine liner, and you're done!
Want to Practice the Sketch?
Download the full sketch over on Patreon:👉 https://www.patreon.com/posts/116970073
Thank you for painting with me today — and for your incredible support in helping me bring this paint set to life. Whether you're just getting started with watercolor or building your collection, I hope this set inspires many joyful hours of creativity.
Happy painting, friends!
Comments