When I started working on my studio in March, I knew I wanted to create most of the wall art myself. Decorating with bright colors has been incredibly fun, and it’s not really something I could do in my house. This dandelion painting that hangs above my desk is a perfect example. My house has a coastal theme, so this would not fit in there, but here in the studio it fits like a glove.

Dandelion Painting on Canvas

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Another thing that moving into this studio has allowed me to do is create a lot more adult crafts. I have become known for my kid’s craft ideas, but I do so much more than that. It’s been so amazing this past few months creating crafts for adults to make too. I’ve always made them, but my career has been in crafting for kids.

Related – Pressed Flower Wall Art

I got the inspiration for my dandelion painting from my friend Heather’s blog, Dollar Store Crafts. She had posted how to make this adorable blowing dandelion shirt and I just loved it.

I knew from the start that it would go above my yellow desk. The desk itself is bright yellow and one of my favorite parts of the studio. I spend a lot of work hours sitting right here, and this dandelion painting really makes me smile.

The canvas is nice and long and fits perfectly over my desk and computer. The yellow and green blend beautifully together, and believe it or not, I used acrylic paints. No need for oils!

I’m really happy with my dandelion painting. I find such relaxation in painting on canvas. I love blending the colors together and creating something from nothing. Adding the final touches, like the floating dandelion seed heads, is the most satisfying part. Seeing it all come together.

Craft supplies you will need

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The canvas I used measures 48 x 24 and I found it at Hobby Lobby. And this is where I bought my easel.

You can use any brand of acrylic paint that you like. These are the basic color shades I used.

Paint Colors

If you want to know the exact colors, I used Americana in:

• Dark Chocolate
• Cadmium Yellow
• Bright Yellow
• Lemon Yellow
• Holly Green
• Festive Green
• Irish Moss
• Salem Blue
• Baby Blue
• Whispering Turquoise
• Warm White

How to Make a Dandelion Painting

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I used a large paintbrush and painted the canvas with the different shades of green, blending along the way, leaving the upper left side unpainted. There are no hard rules here, just paint it how you like it and blend it until you like the way it looks.

Using the same large brush I added light blues and white (clouds) to the top and blended in some yellows on the left. Again, blend, blend, blend until it makes you smile.

Next, I added grass blades to the front of the canvas using a long liner brush. Start from the bottom and drag the heavily loaded brush upward. I used all the different shades of green.

I also used the liner brush to paint the dandelion stem, positioning the flower to the left third of the canvas. Use the handle end to add the center of the flower.

Take a small square of paper towel and press it directly over the wet paint of the flower center.

Use a new piece to remove excess paint from the stem. I did this because the paint appeared too dark and unnatural as is.

Adding the dandelion

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Adding the white is easy, but you may want to practice on paper first before applying to your canvas. Squirt a generous amount of white paint onto some scratch paper. Press the shower pouf into the paint and swirl in around. Dab off excess onto a soft cloth or paper towel.

First, blot the pouf onto the canvas. Afterward, gently turn the pouf while applying it to the canvas to create the round look.

Cut a small piece of the pour and pick up a little white paint with it. Dab off the excess and use it to add seed heads as if they were flying off of the dandelion.

Dip a small scruffy brush into white paint. Dab off all the excess paint so that it’s almost dry. Now dab that over the seed heads you just painted. This will give it a softer look. Use the liner brush to add the brown stems to the seed heads.

Adding background dandelions

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Use the scruffy brush and yellow paint to add a field of dandelions off to the right. Next use the shower pour to gently add white sparingly over the top of the field. You can blend with the scruffy brush until you are happy with it. I blended with both yellow and white.

Make sure it’s good and dry before you spray on a couple coats of sealer and hang it. I used Command Strips to hang mine.

More Canvas Painting Ideas

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• 4 Seasons Button Tree
• Cherry Blossom Tree
• Vibrant Button Tree on Canvas
• Birds on a Branch Silhouette Painting

This post originally appeared here on Aug 28, 2015.