How to Paint a Watercolor Lemon Slice
Practice transparent washes and white-paper highlights with a small lemon slice.
What You Need
- Watercolor paints: Pale yellow-green for the slice and a light blue for the background.
- Watercolor paper and a brush with a fine tip.
- A palette or mixing tray, clean water, a water container and a cloth or paper towel.
- Optional: a pencil for a light outline.
Use the supplies you already have. If you are starting from scratch, the kit below brings paints, paper and brushes together.
Step 1: Paint the pale base wash
This demonstration uses a pale yellow-green palette. Paint a light wash inside each segment, leaving white paper between segments and along the rind.
Add a little more color in selected areas for gentle variation. Keep the overall wash light.
Step 2: Suggest the fruit texture
Add small yellow-green strokes inside the segments to suggest the texture of the flesh. Use slightly stronger color near a few edges.
Leave plenty of pale areas and white gaps. Let the base dry first when you want the small strokes to stay distinct.
Step 3: Finish the edges and background
Deepen a few shaded edges with a slightly stronger yellow-green mix. Keep the lightest areas pale or unpainted.
Add a very light blue wash around the slice, as shown in the reference. Keep it clear of the white rind.
Watch the Tutorial
Follow the demonstration, then pause between steps to paint at your own pace.
A Small Tip Before You Paint Again
Keep the white gaps between segments unpainted. They separate the fruit sections and make the pale color feel brighter.
For help with soft edges and blending, read our wet-on-wet watercolor guide.
Make Room for Your Next Painting
Keep a page and a few colors close by. If you need paints, paper and brushes for your next study, take a look at the STUDIO Beginner Kit.
See the Kit and What’s Included
