Paint a warm floral canvas with orange blossoms, soft beige leaves and a dark vase. This project uses a numbered floral canvas as the starting point, with small, curved brush marks giving the petals a raised finish. Keep the background simple so the flowers stand out. The photographs show the painting in progress and the completed composition.
This free tutorial explains a painting and texture technique using a prepared numbered canvas. The canvas and paints are separate supplies; no downloadable pattern is included.
Materials
- A numbered floral canvas with its matching acrylic paints and reference sheet
- A small pointed brush for stems and flower centers
- A flat brush for the background and broader shapes
- A palette or clean mixing surface
- A cup of clean rinse water
- A cloth or paper towels
- A protective table covering
Use the color key supplied with your own canvas. Paint numbers vary between designs.
How to paint the floral canvas
The following is a suggested working order. The progress photograph shows the same project before the vase was filled in.
- Cover your work surface and place the canvas where it is well supported. Keep the reference sheet nearby and check which colors belong to the background, flowers, leaves, stems and vase. Photograph the numbered canvas before painting so you can refer to any covered details.
- Paint the pale background in manageable sections, working around the flower and leaf outlines. Rinse the brush when changing colors and blot away excess water. Let adjoining sections dry before adding details against their edges.
- Fill the orange petal shapes and beige leaves using their corresponding paints. Cover any visible numbers with a further coat after the first has dried, rather than repeatedly brushing a tacky surface.
- To add texture to the petals, pick up a small amount of paint and place short, curved marks that follow each petal. Lift the brush after each stroke. Build the marks gradually and avoid pressing them flat. Try the technique in a small area first; the paint needs to hold the marks rather than run.
- With a pointed brush, add the dark flower centers and narrow stems. Keep these marks inside their outlines so the fine details remain distinct from the orange petals.
- Fill the vase, working carefully around the two handles. Leave the interior openings in their background color. Complete the warm tabletop shapes at the bottom of the canvas.
- Allow the paint to dry, then inspect the canvas for missed cells and visible numbers. Touch up individual areas and let thicker paint dry thoroughly before handling or displaying the finished canvas.
Tips for keeping the raised brush marks
Allow the base coat to dry before adding texture. Make small deposits instead of one thick mound, and avoid repeatedly brushing over marks that have begun to set. Drying time depends on paint thickness and room conditions.
For more detail, see our guide to water and paint consistency.
