How I Paint Realistic Watercolor Shadows — My 3 Go-To Techniques

3 Ways to Paint Gorgeous Watercolor Shadows (My Top Tips)
Struggling with watercolor shadows? In this video, I’ll share my top secrets for mixing gorgeous, vibrant shadows that bring your paintings to life. You’ll learn:

🎨 3 simple ways to mix shadow colors
🌸 How to layer colors without losing vibrancy
📷 Tips for looking at your reference photo to guide your shadows

These are the same techniques I use in my own floral paintings, and once you try them, you’ll never look at shadows the same way again.

👉 Want to see these shadow techniques in action in a full-length flower painting tutorial?
Check out my step-by-step Dahlia watercolor class here:
https://sunlitbrushstrokes.etsy.com/c...

Perfect for intermediate watercolor artists who want more depth, vibrancy, and realism in their florals.

NEWSLETTER:
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview...
(Be sure to check your spam if you don’t receive your first email within a few minutes of sign up)

REFERENCE PHOTO:
https://pixabay.com/photos/dahlia-flo...

How to TRACE OUTLINES to watercolor paper: Time stamp 7:02
   • Transfer Any Image onto Watercolor Paper w...  

How to mix NEUTRAL COLORS:
   • Unlocking the Art of Neutralizing Color: T...  

TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:25 Cool tone shadows
01:38 Vibrant shadows
04:18 Neutral shadows

MATERIALS:
Watercolor supplies (in Canada)
My personal (current) watercolor palette:
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/11...
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/11...
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/11...
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/11...
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/11...

Arches watercolor paper:
Large sheets (I buy these most often):
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/52...
9x12 pad:
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/52...


Simply Simmons Brushes:
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/24...
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/24...
The “scrubber” brush (not the exact brand I have, but similar)
https://www.deltaart.ca/product/00/24...

Amazon Palettes:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0983M12DZ/

WATERCOLOR SUPPLIES (in the USA)
My personal (current) watercolor palette:
M Graham: Hansa Yellow Deep: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JPF5IM
Phthalocyanine Blue: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JPH5TO
Quinacridone Rose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JPLY4Q
Ultramarine Blue: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044TW074
QoR: Quinacridone Magenta: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KNT5WL0

Watercolor Paper:
Arches Cold Press Paper: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086WSQV9H

Simply Simmons brushes: https://www.michaels.com/product/simp...
Artegria Brushes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FBDKG5K
Shader Brush for Scrubbing” mistakes: https://bit.ly/4hN6HjT


#WatercolorTips #WatercolorShadows #FloralWatercolor