Realistic Watercolor Bumblebee Tutorial
Part 3 of our realistic bumblebee series! I still can’t believe that this ended up being a series, but I’m having SO MUCH fun with it so I’m all about it. So glad that you guys are enjoying this as much as I am.
Today we’re diving into watercolor! This was like art therapy for me to paint—lots of texture to showcase (it is a fuzzy little bumblebee after all!), lots of color play and exploration. I was able to go into autopilot a little bit and just go back to the basics, which I think is the beauty of this tutorial! It’s really not difficult in the slightest, but the result is really impressive.
I came off of 4-5 months of no watercolor painting, went against my own advice and didn’t warm up, and still came out with a little painting that I am really happy with. This isn’t always the case, so if you struggle the first time that you try this technique, don’t fret! Take a break, and try it again. Watercolor is a tricky medium to work with and it can smell fear. If you’re in a rut, walk away, do a little dance, eat a snack and try again.
Is this your first video in the series? Don’t forget to check out part 1 and 2 when you’re done here:
Part 1 - Drawing a Realistic Bumblebee
Part 2 - Shading a Realistic Bumblebee
Supplies:*
Reference Photo: Bumblebee
Kneeded Eraser: https://amzn.to/2VaJ1zj (Any brand is fine, but I don’t recommend the Fabercastle—it’s kind of sticky!)
Paper: Strathmore 300
Large Palette: https://amzn.to/2NMsJZD
Watercolor brushes: (round, size 4, 6 & 8) https://amzn.to/2vU9gzF
Top: (right to left)
Burnt Sienna: https://amzn.to/2UoERCW
Burnt Umber: https://amzn.to/2Un00xo
Piemontite Genuine: https://amzn.to/2QT0qJR
Deep Scarlet: https://amzn.to/39pxWxF
Alizarin Crimson: https://amzn.to/2QU0NUr
Cadmium Red (deep): https://amzn.to/2UoZr6f
Cadmium Red (pale): https://amzn.to/3dxuBQu
Cadmium Orange: https://amzn.to/2QRTmND
Side: (top to bottom)
Cadmium Yellow: https://amzn.to/2JnWjBe
Lemon Yellow Hue: https://amzn.to/2JoldAK
Yellow Ochre: https://amzn.to/3dEfbKb
Raw Sienna: https://amzn.to/2JitA0K
Terre Verte (Yellow Shade): https://amzn.to/33SBCXz
Sap Green: https://amzn.to/39rMVHA
Hooker’s Green: https://amzn.to/3atQhLi
Jadeite Genuine: https://amzn.to/2WRSz30
Bottom: (right to left)
Viridian Hue: https://amzn.to/3arbw0u
Intense Blue (Phthalo): https://amzn.to/3alKCHf
Ultramarine: https://amzn.to/3dzetxT
Mayan Blue Genuine: https://amzn.to/2JlSfSb
Indigo: https://amzn.to/2xvJFh7
Amethyst Genuine: https://amzn.to/3aqN3ID
Permanent Rose: https://amzn.to/2QSZrt9
Rhodonite Genuine: https://amzn.to/3bwCqUH
Off Screen:
Ivory Black: https://amzn.to/39rOCEG
Hematite Genuine (warm black): https://amzn.to/2WNGKe2
Chinese White: https://amzn.to/3bwRt0B
Don’t forget to catch the other art tutorials in this series if you haven’t already!
Part 1 - Drawing a Realistic Bumblebee
Part 2 - Shading a Realistic Bumblebee
*As an Amazon associate, I receive a small commission on some of the links above if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you! Read my full disclosure here
