3 min read

How to Paint a Sunflower with Gouache Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

Want to paint bold, bright florals with depth and texture?

In this week’s tutorial, we’re showing you exactly how to create a cheerful, realistic sunflower using just a handful of gouache paints and a simple brush set.

Perfect for beginners, this guide covers everything from sketching to final details — with pro tips along the way to help you feel confident and creative.

Let’s dive in.

Why Gouache is Perfect for Florals

Gouache gives you the flexibility of watercolour with the vibrancy of acrylic — perfect for layering petals, adding texture, and building bold botanical shapes.

With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to bring out the best in both your paints and your brushes.

What You’ll Learn

✔ Sketching florals with confidence

✔ Mixing dynamic, natural colors

✔ Building depth through layers

✔ Texturing leaves and flower centers for realism

Brushes & Materials Used

✔ Size 10 Round

✔ Size 8 Dagger

✔ Lemon Yellow, Quinacridone Red, Ultramarine Deep, Titanium White

Step-by-Step Breakdown

  1. Sketch the Sunflower

    • Loose, overlapping petals and a bold circular center set the stage. Keep it light and playful.

  1. Build Your Palette

    • Mix custom oranges, greens, and browns for depth and vibrancy.

  1. Layer the Petals

    • Start with darker underlayers, build toward brighter highlights for natural contrast.

  1. Paint the Center

    • Rich browns with subtle textures create a realistic, seed-like finish.

  1. Add Leaves & Stems

    • Olive greens and layered highlights bring everything together.

  1. Final Details

    • Tiny veins, dots, and textures breathe life into your finished piece.

Final Paintin🎥 Watch the full video here.

Build Your Botanical Brush Toolkit

This floral tutorial highlights the versatility of the Craftamo round and dagger brushes — perfect for soft curves, bold edges, and delicate details.

✔ Beginner-friendly

✔ Cruelty-free

✔ Artist-designed

✔ Ideal for both watercolour and gouache

Looking to expand your floral toolkit? Explore our specialty brushes for every kind of bloom.

👉 Explore Craftamo's Floral Brush Collection

Let’s Talk Florals

What’s your favorite flower to paint?

Did this gouache sunflower surprise you with how simple it can be?

Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us @craftamo on Instagram — we love seeing your work bloom!

In the News…

🎨 Watercolour Month Sale, 30% OFF Emma’s Favourites!

To celebrate World Watercolour Month, we’re offering you 30% off all Emma Lefebvre x Craftamo products,  including her signature brush sets and essentials loved by artists around the world.

Use code EMMA30 at checkout to claim your discount.

🎁 Hurry! this offer won’t last forever!

Emma is also hosting her 31-Day Watercolour Challenge on YouTube, sharing daily tutorials to help you build confidence, stay consistent, and fall in love with painting again. And yes, she’s using her Craftamo brushes all month long.

Now’s the perfect time to grab the tools she trusts and save big while you’re at it!

👉 Shop Emma Lefebvre Collection Here

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