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Acrylic Painting Tutorials

Learn How to Paint Still Life with Flowers using Acrylics

This is a how-to guide for painting a still life with flowers in acrylics — but with a twist. No music in the studio, just the rhythm of the brush. Loose, expressive, and very much garage-artist style.

Robert Joyner | Garage Studio Artist & Art Educator

Robert Joyner | Garage Studio Artist & Art Educator

— 4 min read
Loose and expressive acrylic still life painting of flowers in a vase

Before I get into my story, let's just say this is a how to guide for painting an acrylic still life with flowers. There, now that the SEO gods are happy I'll share some studio nuggets that won't really help your art, but you may find it entertaining.

When I’m in the studio, I don’t play music. Truthfully, I don’t even like music when I’m driving — it just feels distracting. Plus, there's something rhythmical and satisfying about the sound of a loaded brush hitting canvas or paper.

To me, that is music. Every stroke has a beat. Every mark sets the rhythm. Honestly, the sound of painting flowers beats Led Zeppelin blaring through a garage with bad echo. That’s the vibe I want to share in this lesson. We’re going to paint a still life with flowers using acrylics — loose, expressive, and very much garage-artist style.

Watch the Video Tutorial below and then scroll down to see the demos of the step-by-step process.

👉 If you’re brand new, you can start at the Acrylic Hub — it’s got all the free courses and guides in one place.

Video tutorial

Step 1: Start with a Plan

Even loose painting works best with a little structure. Instead of winging it, spend a few minutes thinking about:

  • Composition → how the flowers and vase sit inside the frame.
  • Shape relationships → large to small, oval vs rectangle.
  • Layout → square, rectangle, vertical, or horizontal?

A quick thumbnail sketch helps you test ideas before you commit to paint. Don’t overthink it — just block in a few variations and pick the one that feels right.

Thumbnail sketches of floral still life compositions for acrylic painting
Thumbnail sketches of floral still life compositions for acrylic painting

Step 2: Keep It Simple

Still life can get cluttered fast. Beginners often want to paint every detail, but the power comes from fewer objects, strong shapes, and bold placement.

👉 One vase, one bunch of flowers, plenty of breathing room. Let the background be part of the design, not just filler.

This study illustrates how working on arrangement of shapes impact composition
This study illustrates how working on arrangement of shapes impact composition

Step 3: Think in Color

Color sets the mood. And it can also become a sore spot for any artists. My theory is to pick a lane. Go saturated, or tonal. And for temperature choose dominant cool or warm hues. For this demo, I used and recommend starting with a warm palette (reds, oranges, yellows) and using cooler hues (blues, greens) sparingly to add contrast if you want a similar result as mine.

Warmth creates energy. Cool accents add depth. Together, they keep the painting alive.

Loose and expressive acrylic painting of flowers in a vase on paper
The finished piece in all it's glory

Step 4: Build Your Painting

  1. Large to small: Start with the vase and main flower masses.
  2. Loose brushwork: Let the marks suggest petals, don’t outline each one.
  3. Layer: Build depth by overlapping colors, not by drawing every detail.
  4. Accents: Add smaller strokes and highlights last — they’re the spice, not the meal.

Step 5: Trust the Process

Don’t stop at the first design. Try a few variations, even if one feels “done.” The more you sketch and paint, the more options you’ll uncover. Beginners often stop too early and miss stronger designs waiting just one sketch away.

This practice isn’t wasted — it builds your eye and gives you raw material for future paintings.

Wrap-Up

Painting a floral still life in acrylics isn’t about perfection. It’s about rhythm, movement, and expression. With a clear composition, a warm palette, and bold, confident brushwork, you can create something vibrant and alive.

Remember: the brush already makes the music. You just have to keep the beat.

Learn & Improve Your Acrylic Skills

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliates, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend materials I use regularly, often from Blick Art Materials. Your support keeps my tutorials free and ad-free—thank you!

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