Have you ever painted crocuses? These beautiful flowers, often purple or yellow, present a fantastic opportunity to practice your painting skills. In this guide on crocus painting, I will walk you through the process of painting crocus petals, offering tips and techniques to enhance your art.

1 – Mapping out color

This is the first stage of painting. At this point, examine your subject to identify the basic colors and highlights. The subject may feature colors from a single family, such as different shades of purple, or a mix of colors, like a petal that is yellow near the center of the flower. Regardless of the color scheme, apply a light tone of these colors to establish a base for the subsequent layers. For instance, use a light tone of purple in areas where purple appears.

To preserve highlights, you can either mask them or, as in this case, leave the white paper unpainted. We generally use the wet-on-wet technique, particularly when dealing with multiple colors, because it helps: (1) create smooth tonal transitions from dark to light, and (2) achieve smooth color transitions when using more than one color. Wet-on-wet also gives you more time to work with the paint.

Alternatively, you can apply paint wet-on-dry, but ensure the paint remains watery to avoid unwanted hard edges. Preserve highlights by using a clean, damp brush to lift paint from these areas while still damp. The drier the paint, the more effectively you can lift it out. Often, several brush strokes are needed, as damp paint can flow back into lifted areas. Repeat the lifting process until you achieve the desired effect.

2 – Core Shadow

A core shadow is created by the form of an object. It typically has a soft edge, making the wet-on-wet technique ideal for painting it, as applying paint on a wet surface creates a beautifully diffused edge. Core shadows may have a sharp edge on one side and a soft edge on the other. For the soft edge, start by applying paint wet-on-dry and blend it until it meets the wet area, creating a smooth transition.

Creating a core shadow involves repeating the previous step in the same or selected areas. At this stage, deepen and saturate the colors to build the object’s form. Use the same color value as before or a slightly darker one. Since each additional layer will darken the color, apply multiple thin layers gradually to achieve the desired effect.

3 – Cast Shadow

Once everything is completely dry, you can apply cast shadows, if needed. A cast shadow is created by another object blocking light. Combining highlights with cast shadows creates a strong sense of light by juxtaposing light tones with the darker tones of core and cast shadows. This contrast adds depth to your painting.

Although cast shadows can be applied wet-on-wet, they usually have a sharp edge. Therefore, the wet-on-dry technique is preferable as it allows for hard edges, which you can soften with a scrubber brush if needed. Ensure the paint is well diluted and not too thick; it should feel like slightly tinged water on your palette, allowing for easy movement. This ensures that any hard edge will only be on the edge of the shadow, not within the shadow area.

In the example petal, the cast shadow is uneven and not smooth. This occurred because: (1) I used a hairdryer to dry the previous layer, but it wasn’t fully dry, causing disturbances in the new layer; (2) The paint was insufficiently diluted and dried too quickly on the paper.

4 – Veining

After completing the previous stages, it’s time to add veining. This stage is relatively straightforward as you have full control over the paint. Use the wet-on-dry technique for painting veins, as veins are clearly defined lines. Occasionally, veins can be more diffused, in which case you might use the wet-on-wet technique or soften them with a scrubber brush. However, for this process, wet-on-dry is most effective.

Here are some tips to master veining:

  • Start with the Main Veins: Establish the main veins first, then add the smaller veins that branch out from them.
  • Drawing Veins: I usually don’t draw veins with a pencil, especially if they are light. However, you can lightly sketch the main veins with a pencil if it helps. Begin by painting the veins with a very light tone to outline their placement, then add a darker layer to define them.
  • Avoid Overdoing It: Veins can enhance the elegance of the petals, but too many veins or overly prominent ones can detract from the overall effect. Ensure veins are thin or thick enough, follow the correct direction, and don’t overpopulate the petals with veins. A few well-placed veins are often sufficient. For flowers like crocuses, where veining is more pronounced, you can be more liberal, but be cautious not to overwhelm the petal.
  • Vein Direction and Shadows: The direction of veins impacts the petal’s form and can create the appearance of folds. Veins in shadowed areas should be painted with a darker value to enhance depth.
  • Value Variation: Introduce variety in vein values to add interest. For example, veins that are darker near the upper edge of the petal contribute to a smoother, more realistic appearance.

5 – Unifying Glaze and Lifting Out

Take a break—enjoy some chocolate, drink coffee, or go for a walk—then return to your painting with fresh eyes. Assess your work: Are the petals consistent? Do any areas need further darkening? Evaluate the painting as a whole for contrast and overall effect.

At this stage, small adjustments often make a big difference. Apply a unifying glaze to either darken certain areas or adjust the temperature of the colors. This can be done using either wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry techniques. Typically, I use a well-diluted paint with the wet-on-dry technique, though wet-on-wet can be risky if there are detailed areas, as too much water may blur them. A unifying glaze can transform your subject, changing it from a dull color to a vibrant one, such as from a muted green to a lively green, or from a cool pink to a warm pinkish-red.

If shadows need additional darkening, now is the time to address that. Once tonal values and colors are correct, focus on lifting out highlights. This step is often underestimated but crucial for adding life to your painting. Subtle highlights on the edge of a petal or leaf can create a three-dimensional effect, while stronger highlights can enhance light and create a soft glow around the subject. This final touch can bring more vibrancy and depth to your painting.

This is a part of my full lesson on painting “Early Spring”.