Top Tips for Painting Beautiful Pen and Ink Watercolor Flowers

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Last Updated on May 11, 2023 by Dee

Working with pen and watercolor is a really satisfying and fun way to make art. There are really so many things you can create using this combination of media but in this article, I will be talking about pen and ink watercolor flowers – which is one of the subjects that I just love to paint!

[Related article: 13 Awesome Watercolor Backgrounds & How to Paint Them]

Some examples of my pen and ink watercolor flowers.

Pen and Ink Watercolor Daisies

Pen and Ink Watercolor Tulips

How To Paint Tantalizing Tulips – Read this post for more in-depth tips on how to paint tulips!

Pen and Ink Watercolor Poppies

Pen and Ink Watercolor Cherry Blossoms

How To Paint Gorgeous Cherry Blossoms – Read this post for more in-depth tips on how to paint cherry blossoms!

Pen and Ink Watercolor Magnolia

Pen and Ink Watercolor Hellebore

Pen & Watercolor Flower Tutorials

Here are some other easy pen & watercolor flower tutorials for you to explore:

[How to Draw a Hibiscus in Pen & Watercolor]

[How to Draw a Lotus Flower in Pen & Watercolor]

[How to Draw a Lily in Pen & Watercolor]

Do you ink before or after watercolor?

This is really about personal preference. If you ink before you watercolor, it is really important that you use a permanent, fast-drying ink or pen. I use either the Faber Castell Pitt Pens or the Sakura Micron Pens.

I often draw the ink outline first on my watercolor paper. I will also often go back over my watercolor with my Pitt Pens at the end to finish off aspects of the painting.

[Related article: Gouache vs Acrylic Paint | What’s the best paint for you?]

How do you use watercolor ink and pen?

[Related article: In-depth Tips on How to use Pen Ink and Watercolor]

You can either paint washes of watercolor first and then go over it in pen. Make sure it is completely dry before you work over it with the pen.

You can also draw the outline of the subject matter first using your permanent Pitt Pens or Micron Pens and then color over the outlines using your watercolor.

It’s important to understand that when you are working in this medium the pen and ink suggest the texture, form, shape and value of your subject matter.

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What pens to use with watercolor?

I would suggest using a good quality pen that dries quite quickly and is permanent and archival so that it doesn’t fade with age. I recommend the Faber Castell Pitt Pens or the Sakura Micron Pens.

You can also use gel pens like the white Sakura Gelli Roll Pens – these are great for adding white highlights to your watercolor once it has dried.

How do you draw a flower with watercolors?

Start by drawing a pencil outline of your chosen flower. I like to use a 2B pencil because the lead is soft and dark enough so that I don’t have to press too hard on the paper – this can leave indentations on the page and can be visible in your watercolor painting.

Once you have completed your pencil outline, you can choose whether to first paint a watercolor wash, or rather go over your pencil with pen.

You will then use the second medium over the first in order to complete your flower painting.

When it comes to your pen drawing, you can choose whether to draw in a sketchier manner and leave your forms open. Or you can draw your subject matter using tight, clean, and solid outlines.

Sketchier pen drawing often leads to a more organic and naturalistic artwork, whereas using solid outlines can give your artwork more of a stylized design element.

When using watercolor paint, it is good practice to start with light washes over your subject matter and gradually build up the color. Using layers of watercolor wash will help you deepen your shadow areas and create areas of interest in your painting.

Can you watercolor over micron?

Yes, you can. Micron pens are permanent and archival and don’t bleed when painted over with watercolor. Give your pen drawing a couple of minutes to completely dry before you paint over it.

Can you erase pencil under watercolor?

If there is a lot of pigment in the watercolor you are using then it is impossible to erase the pencil from underneath it.

I would suggest using a kneadable eraser to remove most of the pencil outline or mark before you begin painting over it with watercolor paint.

How do you fix a mistake in watercolor?

Always have a sheet of kitchen paper towel or tissue close by. If you have added too much of a color, or too much water, it is quite easy to blot it off the paper by gently and quickly touching the area with your paper towel/ tissue.

Can you use watercolor and gouache together?

Yes. This is a combination that works really well because gouache and watercolor are from the same family of paints.

[Wondering How to Find Your Art Style? Read this blog post!]

What materials do I need to paint my own pen and ink watercolor flowers?

List of the exact materials I use in my artwork:

• 2B Graphite Pencil
• Kneadable Eraser
• Faber Castell Pitt Pens
• Sakura Micron Pens
• White Gelly Roll Sakura Pen
• Windsor and Newton Watercolor Pan
• Himi Gouache Paint set
• Soft Bristle Brushes
• 300gsm Cold Pressed Watercolor paper
• Artists Masking Tape

Conclusion

I hope this article has inspired you and given you some ideas for your own flower pen and ink watercolor art. Happy painting!