Paint a sunflower, and you’ll be able to bring some summertime happiness into your home, no matter what the weather is like outside. This guide will show you how to capture the beauty of these flowers with these sunflower painting easy tutorials.
To paint sunflowers, remember that they are brightly colored flowers.
It usually has three colors: yellow for the main petals, orange for the inner petals, brown for the center, and green for the leaves.
Begin by sketching out the sunflower. Start with a large circle for the head of the flower, and then draw two more circles that overlap and create the center of the flower. Make sure to draw lots of petals from each loop—the more, the merrier!
Then, draw the leaves and any other details you want to include, and paint away. Sunflowers need to radiate the feeling of sunshine and happiness, so keep that in mind when painting them.
Among my recommended tutorials there is even one that uses coffee!
Table of Contents
What colors are needed to paint a sunflower?
Yellow, orange, green, and brown are the traditional colors used to paint a sunflower.
While a bright yellow and deep orange combination is often the most popular choice for painting a sunflower, you can mix various shades of red, brown, pink, and green for an even more unique and interesting look. Choose your palette wisely.
Here are some links to where you can buy the supplies needed to paint the following tutorials in sunflower colors:
- Titanium White Acrylic Paint (Liquitex)
- Cadmium Yellow Acrylic Paint (Liquitex
- Pale Green Acrylic Paint (Liquitex)
- Raw Umber (Brown) Acrylic Paint (Liquitex)
- Mars Black Acrylic Paint (Liquitex)
- Other mediums:
- Watercolor Paint Set (Winsor & Newton)
- Oil Pastels (Artecho)
- Acrylic Pouring Paint
How to Paint a Sunflower Without a Sketch: Step-by-step
Using gouache you can paint a sunflower in 15 minutes! You need brown, green, yellow, and orange gouache paint, a sketchbook, and a round brush. You don’t even
Total Time: 15 minutes
Step 1 – Paint the center (disk flower)
The center of the sunflowers is called the disk flower and is normally black-brown with some lighter spots if under the light. We start with making a half circle (doesn’t have to be perfect) and paint it brown.
Step 2 – Paint the First layer of petals
The first layer of petals will be orange. Use a round brush – place it on the paper, pull it, in the middle of the petal flatten the brush to use its body, then pull back only using the tip to finish painting a petal.
Step 3 – Second layer of petals
The second layer of petals will be yellow. And each yellow petal will be in between orange petals to make sure we can see the tips of the underlying orange petals. It will create depth to our painting and make the flower more realistic.
Step 4 – Add details to the disk flower
You can add some light and dark dots or try to paint some more detailed seeds.
Step 5 – Add highlights and correct mistakes
Correct mistakes if any, and add white highlights to the petals. You can easily skip this step if you are satisfied with your sunflower.
Done!
Here are more sunflower painting ideas for any medium and level I selected from fellow painters:
Sunflower Acrylic Painting Easy
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Easy
This tutorial shows the basic steps you need to paint a sunflower. You only need the sunflower’s main colors and the background color.
For the petals, paint thick strokes around the brown disc florets, then use darker colors and lighter strokes for every layer of petals to make them look realistic.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Canvas
Read also: How to Use Acrylic Paint: 3 Easy Steps To Paint With Acrylics On Canvas
Sunflower Painting on Canvas
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Easy
Painting a sunflower is not complicated and requires only basic art supplies like acrylic paint and canvas or paper. On a black canvas, draw a sunflower using white pencils.
Then, paint the petals yellow and color the dark areas orange.
Mix yellow ad white for the highlights. Then, work on the disc florets by using brown and orange. The sunflower may not be whole, but the details in this painting capture its beauty.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Black canvas board
Half Sunflower Painting
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Easy
This painting captures the beauty of a sunflower uniquely. Start with drawing half the sunflower with a pencil. Use yellow and orange to paint the petals.
Finally, use brown to make the disc florets or center of the flower more visible. Then, add the details and background color of your choice.
The result is like a peeking little sunflower that takes the viewer’s attention away.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Canvas board
How to Paint a Sunflower Field
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Intermediate
A field of sunflowers is a captivating sight to behold. To master this painting, you’ll need a large canvas and acrylic paint in yellow, orange, green, and brown. Start by painting the sky with shades of blue and wisps of clouds.
Then, make a light sketch of sunflowers in yellow and paint the petals. Create shadows using brown, and add green for stems and leaves.
The last step is to make the sunflowers more realistic by adding orange to the center and details in every petal.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Canvas board
How to Paint a Sunflower Easy on Wood
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Easy to Intermediate
While painting on canvas is the most common surface for painting sunflowers, wood is also an ideal option. The technique used in this tutorial is a bit different.
Start by sanding the wood and applying one or two coats of primer. Wood absorbs paint more quickly, so you may want to prime the surface.
Then, draw the sunflower with a pencil. You can also use a ring to paint the disc florets — paint the edges with brown paint and stamp in on the wood.
Afterward, start painting with yellow and orange. Use different brush techniques to apply the colors on the petals, as wood is a different surface to work on.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Wood palette
Sunflower Rock Painting Easy
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Easy
Pebbles, rocks, and stones can look like beautiful pieces of art when painted with sunflowers. Start by sketching the shape of the sunflower onto the rock, then fill in the petals and discs with yellow and orange paint.
Add details like the leaves and shadows with brown.
You can draw sunflowers in different styles, depending on the shape of the rock. To finish, spray your sunflower rocks with satin finish polyurethane spray.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Rocks
How Do You Paint Realistic Sunflowers?
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Advanced
Painting a realistic sunflower is more challenging than painting a stylized one. Start by sketching it onto the canvas with a pencil. Then, use yellow and orange acrylic paint for the petals; blending them is the key to creating a realistic effect.
Add shadows with warm tones like brown, red, and green for added depth. To finish your painting, use small brushstrokes to add texture and details.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Canvas board
How Do You Paint a Sunflower with One Stroke?
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Intermediate
One-stroke painting is a great way to easily create beautiful sunflowers. It’s a technique to paint sunflower petals with a blended effect.
To do this successfully, you need two paint colors next to each other and dab your brush in both before starting your stroke.
Using a flat brush is best. Start from the center, then move outwards in one long stroke, creating petals as you go.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Canvas board
How Do You Paint Sunflowers for Kids?
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Easy
Painting sunflowers with kids is a great way to help them learn about colors and have fun at the same time. You don’t need to focus much on details and blending when painting with kids.
Outline a sunflower on the canvas and fill it with yellow and orange paint. You can use sponges or your fingers to add texture to make it more fun.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
How Do You Paint Van Gogh Sunflowers?
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Advanced
The famous sunflower painting by Van Gogh will require patience, as it is a very detailed and intricate piece of art.
Start by sketching out the sunflower on the canvas. Fill in some of the backgrounds with shades of blue, then add yellow and orange for the petals.
Use smaller brushes to add texture, shadows, and details. Finally, add some white highlights to the center of the flower to complete your Van Gogh sunflower painting.
I recommend studying the reference painting to give you an idea about the colors and the brushstrokes used, so you can recreate a similar effect.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Canvas board
How to Paint Mural Sunflowers
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Intermediate
Murals are a great way to decorate a space but can be intimidating to paint. When painting sunflowers as a mural, lay out your design first, then use a pencil to sketch the flowers onto the wall.
Prime the colored areas in white, and color away the rest of the sunflower. You can make the mural come to life by adding a painting of butterflies, bees, and one or two types of plants.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Prepped wall
Sunflower Painting Using a Palette Knife
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Intermediate
Palette knives are a great tool for painting sunflowers. They can help you achieve a unique textured look, making your sunflower come alive.
Start by sketching a sunflower on your canvas, then apply the paint using a palette knife to create an impressionistic effect.
The resulting texture will look like petals and give your sunflower a unique touch — something you won’t get from a brush.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Palette knife
- Canvas board
Sunflower Field Phone Case Acrylic Painting
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Intermediate
Why not transform a phone case into a bright and vibrant sunflower field painting? It’s an easy and fun project that won’t take up much of your time.
All you need is a transparent phone case, acrylic paint, brushes, and a few supplies.
Here, the artist only used a few colors since the details would be tiny. Start with some yellows and create sunflower shapes to paint the field.
Add your desired color to fill in the background, and don’t forget to add some white highlights to make your sunflower field painting pop.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Painbrush
- Clear or blank phone case
How to Paint a Sunflower Bouquet
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Advanced
For those with experience in acrylic painting, why not try this sunflower bouquet? Start by sketching the bouquet on your canvas and then add the colors.
Here, the artist used a mix of yellows, browns, and greens to give the painting an extra pop. The muted vase color and background make the bouquet stand out.
When you’re finished, you can add some final touches, such as leaves and white highlights, to make your sunflower bouquet painting look lifelike.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Painbrush
- Stretched canvas
How to Paint a Sunflower Field Landscape
Medium: Acrylic paint
Level: Advanced
A sunflower field landscape painting is the perfect way to showcase your skills. This task will require a few more colors than just yellows and browns.
Choose colors that will create a realistic sky and ground, such as blues and greens for the sky and browns and beiges for the ground.
In this tutorial, the artist did not paint the sunflowers individually. Instead, he used a brush to paint swirled lines that resemble sunflowers.
To get the sunflower field look, add some white highlights, and you’re done! This tutorial shows you can paint a stunning sunflower field scene with the right technique.
How to Paint Sunflower Leaves
Medium: Acrylic Paint
Level: Easy
This one-stroke painting tutorial of sunflower leaves makes it look easy. To begin, you’ll need to select a few shades of green for the leaves and a flat brush.
The paint is already shaded once applied on the canvas.
Start by painting a line that looks like “S”. Then use the same stroke to create a half circle that will become the center of the leaf.
After that, add details like veins to the leaves and use white for highlights.
Main supplies:
- Acrylic paint
- Painbrush
- Canvas
Sunflower Watercolor Painting Easy
Medium: Watercolor paint
Level: Easy
When painting loose sunflowers with watercolors, the key is to create a loose and free-flowing look. Start by making a circle guide for your petals, then add yellow and orange paint for the base of the flower.
As you work around the outside of your flower, use darker colors like red, brown, and green to blend and create a more realistic look.
When you are finished, use small brushstrokes around the petals to add texture and highlight some of the lighter sections for added dimension.
Main supplies:
- Watercolor paint
- Watercolor paintbrush
- Watercolor paper
How Do You Paint Loose Watercolor Sunflowers?
Medium: Watercolor paint
Level: Intermediate
Painting in a loose sunflowers and flowing manner is another unique way to capture the beauty of these yellow flowers.
First, wet your paper, then use a brush to add yellow and orange colors in blotches and smears. With your brush still wet, add darker colors like brown and green to create shadows.
To finish your sunflower, use a small brush for the center and details in the petals.
Main supplies:
- Watercolor paint
- Watercolor paintbrush
- Watercolor paper
How to Paint Sunflowers Using Coffee
Medium: Coffee
Level: Intermediate
If you love the smell of freshly brewed coffee, this painting technique is perfect for you! You only need coffee and water.
Mix up your own coffee solution, then use a brush to paint the sunflower on the canvas. It’s best to evenly layer several coats of the mixture to get a realistic effect.
Coffee makes for a unique and unusual sunflower painting, perfect for those who like to think outside of the box.
Main supplies:
- Coffee
- Watercolor paintbrush
- Watercolor paper
How to Paint A Sunflower with Fluid Acrylic
Medium: Fluid Acrylic Paint
Level: Intermediate
Try something new by using fluid acrylic as a medium in your painting.
The fun part here is that the artist did not use a paintbrush to apply the paint. Instead, she used household items like a spoon, a toothpick, and a tissue to paint this beautiful piece.
With the right technique, as seen in this tutorial, you’ll be able to create an interesting and unique-looking sunflower.
Once you have the right colors, apply the fluid acrylic onto the canvas. Premix orange and yellow to create a shaded effect on the petal once applied on the canvas (with a spoon).
The toothpick is great for adding details and texture to your sunflower. To finish off, use a tissue to paint the leaves and stem.
Main supplies:
- Fluid acrylic/ Acrylic paint and paint thinner
- Spoon
- Toothpick
- Tissue
- Canvas
How to Paint a Sunflower Pour Art
Medium: Acrylic paint, latex paint additive
Level: Easy
In this pour art, aside from paint, you’ll need two more things: a blowdryer and a latex paint additive (the artist used Floetrol). Add a few drops of the latex paint additive to your colors, and mix it well.
However, feel free to use ready-to-pour paints for an easier process. Pour the mixture onto the canvas—the paint’s movement will resemble a sunflower’s petals. Use a blowdryer for finer details and texture.
Main supplies:
- Fluid acrylic/ Acrylic paint and paint thinner
- Plastic cup
- Blow dryer
- Palette knife
- Canvas
Cute Sunflower Painting Easy
Medium: Oil pastels and markers
Level: Easy
Using round objects to ensure your sunflower comes out cute and chubby is a great idea. You can use it to guide where to place your center and petals evenly.
In this tutorial, the artist defined the outlines of the sunflower drawing before using oil pastels to color it. Blend the colors with your fingers or a cloth to create the unique effect of oil pastels.
Main supplies:
- Oil pastels
- Colored pencils
- Markers
Painting a Sunflower FAQ
How do you paint a simple sunflower?
Start with sketching your sunflower. Then, use a light yellow or orange base for the petals. Add darker shades of reds, blacks, and browns for the flower’s center.
Finally, use lighter colors to create highlights on the petals.
How do you draw a sunflower step by step?
- First, draw a large circle with a small dot in the center.
- Add curved lines radiating from the center to create petals.
- Finally, paint, shade, and highlight the petals, center, and leaves.
Which famous artist painted the sunflowers?
Vincent Van Gogh painted the famous painting of sunflowers in 1889. His series of paintings depicting yellow and orange sunflowers on a blue background have become iconic works of art.
His painting is still regarded as one of Western culture’s most iconic works of art.
Wrap Up
Now that you know how to paint sunflowers using a different medium, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and brushstrokes until you find a combination you like.
And once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start painting sunflowers in new and creative ways. Who knows? You might even develop your own unique style.
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Buenos Aires-based certified teacher, artist, and member of the Professional Artist Association with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.