Watercolor Workbook: 25 Beginner-Friendly Botanical Painting Projects

Pick up a brush, add a little water, and watch a garden begin to bloom right on the page. Watercolor Workbook makes it wonderfully easy to start painting, with 25 elegant floral and botanical sketches already printed on real watercolor paper—so you can skip the drawing and get straight to the part you came for: adding color. Created by artist and author Sarah Simon, each project walks you through the painting process step by step, from choosing your colors to building washes and adding those final details that bring the flowers to life. Paint wild roses, poppies, sunflowers, buttercups, dandelions, and more, with projects designed to be approachable even if this is your very first time holding a watercolor brush. And unlike an ordinary instructional book, this one is meant to become your artwork. The projects are printed on thick 200 gsm premium watercolor paper, giving you a proper surface to paint directly in the workbook without color bleeding through. Most can be finished in 30 minutes or less—just enough time to slow down, enjoy the colors, and finish with something beautiful you painted yourself. What Makes It Special Includes 25 beginner-friendly watercolor projects ready to paint Created by artist, illustrator, and author Sarah Simon Botanical sketches are already printed on the pages, so no drawing skills are required Paint beautiful subjects including wild roses, poppies, sunflowers, buttercups, dandelions, and more Clear step-by-step instructions guide you through each painting Introduces fundamental watercolor techniques to help build skills and confidence Most projects can be completed in 30 minutes or less Printed on thick 200 gsm premium watercolor art paper Quality paper helps prevent paint from bleeding through Includes suggested paints and brushes to make gathering supplies simple Lets beginners practice techniques while creating a finished piece of botanical artwork Equally enjoyable for beginners and hobbyists looking for a relaxing creative project A lovely screen-free way to unwind Makes a thoughtful gift for artists, plant lovers, gardeners, and creative beginners How to Enjoy Choose a flower that catches your eye, gather the suggested colors, and start painting directly over the printed sketch. Follow Sarah’s example step by step, or use her instructions as a starting point and experiment with your own colors along the way. There’s no need to clear an entire afternoon. Many projects take 30 minutes or less, making it easy to fit a little creativity into a quiet morning, a rainy afternoon, or the end of a busy day. Try one painting at a time and watch your skills build from page to page. By the time you reach the final project, you won’t just have practiced watercolor—you’ll have created an entire collection of botanicals painted by you. The Sketching Is Already Done Sometimes the hardest part of learning watercolor happens before the paint even comes out: drawing the picture you want to paint. This workbook removes that hurdle. Each botanical design is already sketched onto the watercolor paper, allowing you to focus on learning what the paint can do—how much water to use, how colors blend, how washes build, and how small details can transform a simple flower. That makes it especially approachable for anyone who has looked at a beautiful watercolor painting and thought, “I’d love to try that, but I can’t draw.” With the outline waiting for you, all you need to do is pick up the brush and begin. A Garden You Can Paint Wild roses, sunny yellow buttercups, bold poppies, cheerful sunflowers, delicate dandelions—the projects draw inspiration from the flowers and plants that make a garden so interesting. Sarah Simon is known for lush botanical watercolors inspired by the colors and textures of her own urban garden, and that love of plant life carries through the workbook. Rather than practicing brushstrokes in isolation, you learn techniques while creating something recognizable and beautiful. The result is part art lesson, part workbook, and part quiet creative escape—one flower at a time. About the Author Sarah Simon is a Seattle-based designer, artist, illustrator, teacher, and author. Her watercolor work is inspired by the rich colors, shapes, and textures she finds in her urban garden. She is the author of Modern Watercolor Botanicals and The Plant Lady and has inspired thousands of aspiring artists to discover the joy of watercolor. Her approachable teaching style makes botanical painting feel less intimidating, giving beginners the guidance they need to simply start creating.