Daisies might be small, but they sure know how to brighten up a canvas. Their delicate white petals and cheerful yellow centers are a dream subject for anyone learning oil painting. Whether you’re an art newbie or just want a fun, simple project—daisies won’t disappoint.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through an easy, feel-good way to paint daisies in oil. Let’s keep it light, a bit loose, and totally stress-free.
🎨 Why Daisies Are a Beginner’s Best Friend
You don’t need to be a pro to paint a daisy. Their petal structure is simple and forgiving—basically a bunch of long, narrow shapes that radiate around a circle. It’s a great subject for practicing brushwork, blending, and layering without pressure.
Also, the colors are limited, so it’s less overwhelming when mixing paint.
🌼 Start with a Simple Sketch
Begin by lightly sketching the shape of your daisy. Just draw a round center, and then add evenly spaced petal guides coming out like spokes on a wheel. Keep it soft—no need for harsh outlines. Your paint will do most of the defining later.
🖌️ Time to Paint: From Background to Petals
Let’s start painting!
Step 1 – The Background:
Go for soft, neutral colors—a pale blue, a muted green, or even soft beige. Blend gently using a large brush. Daisies pop beautifully against calm tones.
Step 2 – The Center of the Flower:
Use Cadmium Yellow and mix a little Yellow Ochre for some variation. You can dab it on thickly to give the painting some texture. Add a dot of Burnt Sienna around the edges to make it look a bit more natural.
Step 3 – The Petals:
Here’s the fun part. Mix Titanium White with just a touch of Cobalt Blue or Payne’s Grey to add cool shadows. Paint each petal starting from the center, dragging the brush outward in smooth strokes. Don’t worry about making them identical—that’s part of the charm.
✍️ A Quick Note on Style
Want to go bold and modern instead of soft and realistic? Try using a palette knife instead of brushes for thicker texture. If you’re into texture-rich floral pieces, we highly recommend checking out OKarty’s collection of daisy oil paintings – they’re full of personality and handmade flair.
🌿 Add a Touch of Green
Use Sap Green and Lemon Yellow to paint thin stems or leaves in the background. You can keep them abstract, or just suggest them with a few brush strokes—it adds depth without clutter.
🎉 Finishing Touches
Once the paint is dry, take a look from a few steps back. You might find areas that need a bit more white, or where shadows could be deeper. Make small tweaks—but don’t overthink. Let the brush marks and strokes speak naturally.
If you’d rather browse than paint, explore OKarty.com’s daisy oil painting section for pieces that are already expertly done and ready to bring light into your living space.
💡 Final Tip
The key to painting daisies is patience and softness. Don’t rush. Take time to enjoy every stroke and let the daisy bloom on your canvas. Sometimes the simplest subjects leave the biggest impression.