> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://cecilieo.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Watercolor the Amazing Glass Orchid - URL: https://cecilieo.com/how-to-watercolor-the-amazing-glass-orchid/ - Published: 2023-05-29T20:40:59.000Z - Updated: 2024-07-22T07:42:17.000Z - Description: A watercolor tutorial that focuses on the glass-like petals of the beautiful glass orchid, a unique Japanese flower. - Author: Cecilie Okada - Tags: Flowers, #wordpress, #Import 2024-04-18 19:07 Estimated reading time: 4 minutes What if you walk in a park and see a beautiful glass-like orchid with no name? The Japanese glass orchid has been loved in Japan for centuries. But scientists have taken ten years to decide it is a unique species. And for that, this unusual little orchid has made headlines worldwide. A watercolor tutorial that focuses on the glass-like petals seems quite in order. ## About the glass orchid Japan’s oldest poems, dating back to the 8th century, mention these dainty blooms. The little glass orchid pops up in gardens, parks, and among potted plants. I live in Japan, but I have never seen it. It was named “hachijoensis” because many samples were found on Hachijojima island near Tokyo. ## Step 1: Study photos of the glass orchid The photos that circled the globe’s [news outlets](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/17/asia/japan-new-species-orchid-scn/index.html?ref=cecilieo.com) all have a black background. With the black background, it is easy to see the glass-like quality of the petals. In this tutorial, I will keep a white background for simplicity. ![Reference photo of the glass orchid for the watercolor tutorial.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/1a_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) ## Step 2: Sketching the glass orchid The lovely curved petals are stacked one upon the next. At first, it may be confusing, but once you start drawing, you will see a pattern. The image below has my sketch and a part of the tracing with a clear outline. The One Tree Art Club library has many [free outlines for watercolor tutorials](https://newsletter.cecilieo.com/one-tree-art-club?ref=cecilieo.com) on this blog. (Members: Check your newsletter for login details). ![Sketching the glass orchid, tracing a clean outline.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/1b_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) ## Step 3: Painting the flower petals and leaves with watercolor First, paint the petals pink. Use a sponge to soak up color where you want less color. The fuchsia color is a mixture of magenta a purple. Make sure to use enough water for the pigments to spread softly. ![Painting the pink petals with watercolor.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/2_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) Paint the leaves. ![Watercolor the green leaves.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/3_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) Once the paint is dry, you may need to add some more. ![Add some more green watercolor to the leaves.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/4_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) ## Step 4: Finetune with colored pencils Once the watercolor is dry, you can draw on top with colored pencils. The flower comes to life with the 3D effect. ![Draw with colored pencils to bring the flower to life.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/5_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) ## Step 5: Paint and draw the glass-like effect Let loose with white dots! Use white gouache to bring forth the glass-like look of the petals. Paint with a little bit of water over the dots in selected areas. ![Paint the white dots that give the glass-like look to the petals.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/6_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) Draw lightly with colored pencils over the leaves to subdue the white specks. The leaf surface has a subtle glimmer. ![Final fine-tuning of the watercolor painting of the glass orchid. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/7_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) [![Download free line art & more](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2020/08/free-download-graphic.png)](https://newsletter.cecilieo.com/one-tree-art-club?ref=cecilieo.com) ![The completed watercolor of the glass orchid.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/90/28/902889ae-a25f-49d4-9270-dcc363f404b7/content/images/wordpress/2023/05/9_glass_orchid_watercolor_tutorial_cecilieo.jpg) The completed watercolor of the glass orchid. I love orchids, and here are a few more tutorials with different varieties: - [Create Art With Watercolor Pencils: Orchid Tutorial](https://cecilieo.com/art-with-watercolor-pencils-orchid-tutorial/) - [Flowers to Paint in Watercolor: Velvet-Red Slipper Orchid](https://cecilieo.com/how-to-watercolor-a-red-orchid/) - [An Easy Way to Watercolor Your First Orchid Flower](https://cecilieo.com/orchid-watercolor-tutorial/) - [How To Select Watercolor Paper](https://cecilieo.com/how-to-select-watercolor-paper/) - [How to Use Watercolor Pencils: Colorful Butterfly](https://cecilieo.com/how-to-use-watercolor-pencils-butterfly/) To explore the art materials you need for this tutorial, visit my [Guide to Art Supplies](https://cecilieo.com/guide-to-art-supplies/).