How to Paint a Sunflower for Beginners

So, are you ready to learn a super simple method for how to paint a sunflower? This one is perfect for decorating your home for fall dinner parties and more!

This is a part of Craft Lightning week where we are sharing 15-minute party crafts all week. In fact, you can catch up with the ideas from all week here. But first, grab your supplies to paint a flower in a few simple steps.

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How To Paint A Sunflower

If you have never painted a flower before, our tutorial is a great place to start! I am using this method to create a cute table centerpiece that is perfect for entertaining. However, you can this method to create some wall art, home decor, or even outdoor decor!

Painting flowers is so much easier than you think it is! So, grab your paintbrushes and a mason jar, and let’s learn how to paint a sunflower!

Supplies For Painting A Sunflower On A Mason Jar

Pint-size mason jar (remove any labels from recycled jars before starting)
Craft paint (in two shades of yellow and two shades of brown)
White spray paint
Fall flowers
Paintbrushes (see below for sizes and shapes needed)

Step 1: Paint Mason Jar

You will need something to paint your flower on. I am using a mason jar. First, I painted the mason jar white and allowed it to dry completely.

Step 2: Gather Up Paint Brushes

To paint sunflowers, you will need two types of brushes. One round sponge brush and one brush that has bristles shaped like a flower petal. You can see the two brushes that I used in the image below.

Step 3: Make Center Of Sunflower Flower

Start by making a round center for your flower with the round sponge brush and the lighter of the two brown paints.

Step 4: Paint Sunflower Petals

Then it is time to paint flower petals. Load up your brush with a darker shade of yellow. Practice on paper until you can use the brush shape to make a petal. Just apply paint to the side of the brush and lay it down to get the shape of the brush on your surface.

Then start adding those petal shapes all the way around your flower center on the mason jar.

NOTE: It is okay if the flower center is still wet when you are doing this step.

Step 5: Add Fine Lines To Sunflower Petals

Use a really fine brush to start adding some shading to your flower petals. Do this with a lighter yellow and a light brown.

painting flowers with really fine paint brush

Just work in both paints to the still-wet flower petals.

Step 6: Add Dots To Sunflower Center

To finish painting your flower, turn one of the brushes around to the opposite end and dip in the dark brown.

Use that end to make random dots over the top of your flower center.

learning how to paint a sunflower on a jar

When you are happy with your sunflower, allow the entire thing to dry completely before displaying around your home.

You can also see our technique for painting sunflowers in the Instagram story below!

Now that you know how to paint a sunflower, you can use this same method to make a ton of crafts. I can see a sunflower-themed party in your future!

instructions for how to paint a sunflower

For this flower mason jar, I added in some fall foliage and now I have a fun party centerpiece that I painted myself. Don’t worry, you will not have to tell your party guests just how easy it is to paint a sunflower!

So, whether you use our instructions on how to paint a sunflower or make one of the other crafts in our Craft Lightening series, we are sure your party will be amazing! Happy crafting, y’all!

Tips and Tricks for How To Paint A Sunflower

Now that you’ve seen how to paint a sunflower, are you ready to paint your own? Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your project goes as smoothly as possible!

Clean Your Mason Jar – Clean the glass of your mason jar with rubbing alcohol before painting for maximum success!
Practice First – If you are concerned about messing up on your main surface, practice this sunflower first! You can easily practice this sunflower technique on a piece of paper until you are confident enough to try it on your project.
Change Up The Flower Color – Even though we painted a sunflower, you can change up the colors to paint any color of flower that you like! For example, you can use this same technique to create a Daisy!