Are you looking for a fun and easy watercolor painting idea? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to paint delicious-looking donuts with watercolors, step by step. This project is perfect for beginners and anyone wanting to experiment with vibrant colors and playful designs. Let’s dive in!
Materials You’ll Need:
- Watercolor paper: I used 100% cotton hot-pressed paper by Saunders Waterford for a smooth finish.
- Watercolor paints: Choose your favorite colors (I used White Nights).
- Paintbrushes: A mix of round brushes works best.
- Mixing palette: For blending your paints.
- Pencil: To sketch the donuts.
- Opaque pens or white gouache: For decorating the donuts.
Step 1: Sketch Your Donuts
Start by tracing a small bowl onto your watercolor paper to create circles. Position some of the circles so they go off the edge of the paper—this will make your pattern look more dynamic. Next, draw smaller circles inside each one to outline the donut holes. Don’t worry about perfect shapes—imperfections make the donuts look more realistic!
Step 2: Paint the First Layer
Choosing Colors
Select your first color. I started with carmine red, but you can pick any shade that excites you. Prepare your paint by mixing a concentrated consistency in your palette.
Adding Shadows and Highlights
- Outline the inside and outside edges of the donut shape with paint—these are the areas where shadows fall.
- Load your brush with clean water and blend the paint inward, leaving the center lighter to create a highlight.
- Leave small white spaces randomly to enhance the light reflections.
- Add more pigment to the darker areas for extra depth. If needed, use a damp brush to lift excess paint and create smooth gradients.
Step 3: Build the Layers
Painting Additional Donuts
Repeat the process for the other donuts. Experiment with colors like warm yellow-orange or greenish blue to make each donut unique. Remember to:
- Blend the paint lightly to preserve highlights.
- Add shadows using darker, more concentrated pigments.
- Leave some white areas for variety and light reflection.
Adding Depth
Once the first layer is dry, apply a thin layer of clean water over each donut. Then, add darker shades to intensify shadows and make the donuts look three-dimensional. For a realistic touch, include subtle color reflections from nearby donuts—for example, a hint of orange where an orange donut meets a pink one.
Step 4: Decorate Your Donuts
Now for the fun part—decorating your donuts! Use opaque pens or white gouache to add playful designs like:
- Swirly lines
- Polka dots
- Confetti-like sprinkles
You can also paint the background black to make the donuts pop even more.
Optional: Experiment with Finishes
If you’d like a matte look, mix your watercolor paints with white gouache. This will give your donuts a slightly opaque appearance. Play around with different color combinations and finishes to create your unique donut collection!
Final Thoughts
That’s it! You’ve created a colorful watercolor donut pattern that’s as fun to paint as it is to look at. Which donut would you eat first? I’d pick the pink and green ones! Let me know in the comments below.
Looking for more watercolor painting inspiration?
If you enjoyed this tutorial, why not try painting some dreamy skies next? I’m going to show you how to paint cotton candy clouds with watercolors for beginners step by step! In this watercolor tutorial, you’ll learn how to paint a watercolor sky and clouds in an easy way using simple watercolor techniques. It’s a fun and creative project that will help you explore soft blends and vibrant colors.
Happy painting!