How to paint realistic grapes in watercolor
If you’ve never tried to paint realistic grapes before, perhaps it’s because they seem like they’d be really challenging.
All of those little spheres, coated in white powdery bloom, with so much colour variation in them…
A subject with that much complexity can feel overwhelming to attempt, and easily stay on your ‘someday’ list because you think you’re not ready yet.
But if you think of the grapes as lots of little paintings, they’re not so intimidating to tackle.
Breaking down a complicated subject into bite-sized pieces (quite literally bite-sized in the case of these grapes!) can make it easier to approach.
In this mini class, I’ll show you how to paint realistic grapes. Focusing on just a few of the grapes from the bunch, we’ll look at the layering process involved, and the color mixing.
After watching, I hope you’ll feel confident to apply these techniques to painting a whole bunch, and know the order of the steps to follow.
Here’s how to paint realistic grapes:
If you enjoy painting the bloom effect, I think you’ll also like the mini class where I show you how to paint a blueberry, which has the same powdery iridescence.
And if you fancy trying fruit with covered in even more texture, these fuzzy peaches are fun to try.
I hope this mini class has given you the confidence and inspiration to paint realistic grapes of your own. It’s incredible rewarding to see them growing off your paper.
Please leave me a comment:
It’d make my day to hear from you if you’ve enjoyed watching the class or are going to try to paint realistic grapes llke the ones I’ve shown you here. Please leave me a comment below if so!
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Fantastic, Anna, as always. You are the best instructor–if I am patient and follow your instructions precisely, an amazing result is always inevitable and seemingly far above my artistic skill level! Endless thanks for your content!
That’s so kind of you to say Stephen, thank you. As you say, a bit of patience is required, but once you trust the method, the results will take care of themselves.
Thanks, Anna I’m going to have a shot at your grapes. Might I just add I love listening to your Sussex accent as that’s where I grew up, I now live in Arizona.
Aww thanks Pauline. Arizona must have felt like quite a change in climate! Hope you enjoy painting the grapes.
Loved it. I will give it a go. But seems a tad complicated. I know breathe and just paint!!
That’s it Kathy, breathe, take your time and relax into enjoying the painting process.
Grapes are not my thing but I enjoy watching your videos because they are instructive and free. Thank you for encouraging people who want to paint find inspiration and initiative.
Thank you Tania!
Love all You teach US ,going through health problems ,but hopefully soon Will be painting again ,thank u for everything💓
I hope you’ll find your way to your paintbrushes soon, Olga. Lots of people (including myself) have found painting to be restorative and healing during times of ill health and recovery x
She makes it look so easy and is very inspiring. I’ve got to give try a try.
My daughter-in-love is studying the biology of grapes and how to grow them. I am definitely going to try some of these 3D grapes as a gift for Christmas for her. Thank you so much for sharing this mini-class.
How thoughtful Charlene. I am sure she will be touched.
It looks beautiful!
Love ur work
Thank you for the grape study I enjoy it and make me to look for the texture on the grapes
ArtLove
Antoinette
I am in my eighties and I am thoroughly enjoying discovering your mini classes.
I painted your pear- it was a revelation!
Hopefully I will be able to make more progress. It won’t be for the want of trying…
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and for sharing your watercolour methods. I am loving my time with my paints and brushes.
That’s so good to hear, Jill. I’m pleased to be part of this exciting discovery you’re experiencing. If you take your time and follow the instructions, you’ll make progress. That’s true for people of all ages, so enjoy exploring!
I liked the video of the little study you did in your sketchbook and would like to try the whole painting but I did not see it on your website. Can I buy that lesson as a stand-alone class or do I need to subscribe to Nature Studio to find it?
Thank you
Hi Dana,
The tutorials are only available with membership, but you can join for as little as a month.
Unlike the majority of the classes in Nature Studio, the full bunch of grapes is a Solo tutorial, which means it doesn’t have step-by-step video instruction for the entire composition. Solo tutorials are designed specially to help members transition to painting without step-by-step instruction.
The Solo tutorial for these grapes is accompanied by some other video classes covering sections of the composition, as well as a line drawing, list of paints and reference photos.
I hope this helps and that you give these grapes a go!
love your work