How to Paint Bold and Loose Florals in Acrylics

Painting flowers is one of my favourite subjects because it lets me embrace the bold, loose style I love while still capturing the delicate beauty of nature. Florals are all about energy, movement, and colour—so don’t get bogged down in the details! Instead, focus on creating a sense of flow and spontaneity with your brushstrokes.

Here’s how to paint bold, loose florals in acrylics that feel alive and full of vibrancy.

1. Start with a Simple Shape

Before diving into the details, block in the basic shapes of the flowers. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect—this stage is all about mapping out where the blooms and leaves will go.

Penny’s Tip:
Use a larger brush for this step to keep things loose and gestural. Focus on the general shape of the flower heads and foliage, and let your brush dance across the canvas.

2. Use Bold, Broad Brushstrokes

To keep your florals looking loose and lively, use bold, confident brushstrokes. Avoid overblending, and let each stroke stand on its own. This helps create texture and movement, giving your flowers a dynamic feel.

My Technique:
I like to use a flat brush or filbert to create bold strokes that mimic the natural curves and shapes of petals. You can layer colours on top of each other to create depth, but be careful not to overwork the paint—embrace the looseness!

3. Don’t Overthink Colour

When painting loose florals, you don’t need to stick to realistic colours. Have fun with vibrant, unexpected hues, or mix your colours loosely on the palette for more dynamic results. This helps create a more expressive and bold feeling in your painting.

Pro Tip:
Instead of blending colours directly on the canvas, try layering them. This creates a more textured and interesting look that still feels loose and spontaneous.

4. Leave Some Areas Loose and Abstract

Not every part of the painting needs to be detailed or fully formed. In fact, leaving parts of the flowers or background a little looser adds to the overall feel of freedom and movement. Let some areas blend into the background or remain abstract to give the viewer’s eye a place to rest.

How I Do It:
I often paint the petals and leaves in a loose, sweeping motion and leave parts of them unfinished. This allows the painting to breathe and gives it a sense of spontaneity.

5. Finish with Expressive Details

Once you’ve captured the essence of the florals, you can go in and add a few final details to highlight the structure of the flowers. But keep it minimal—too much detail will take away from the loose, bold style you’ve created.

Penny’s Final Touches:
I use a fine liner brush to add a few quick, light strokes to define the edges of petals or leaves. This adds a bit of structure without losing the expressive nature of the painting.

Final Thoughts

Bold, loose florals are all about embracing the freedom of your brushstrokes and having fun with colour and texture. Don’t worry about perfect realism—focus on capturing the energy and movement of the flowers instead.

Until next time, Keep splashing colours!
Penny 😊🎨✨