Posted in

DIY Watercolor Flowers Review: Marie Boudon’s Beginner Floral Painting Guide

DIY Watercolor Flowers Review: Marie Boudon’s Beginner Floral Painting Guide
DIY Watercolor Flowers review

About Marie Boudon

Marie Boudon is a renowned self-taught watercolor artist based in Paris, celebrated for her approachable and contemporary style of floral painting. With an academic background in engineering, Boudon brings an analytical perspective to art instruction, breaking down watercolor processes into digestible, logical steps. Her journey from a technical career to full-time artistry exemplifies the power of creative passion and lifelong learning. Through her brand “Tribulations de Marie,” she has built a dedicated global community, offering popular online workshops, video classes, and digital content that emphasize accessibility and encouragement. Boudon’s “DIY Watercolor” series, of which “DIY Watercolor Flowers” is a flagship, cements her reputation as an expert at demystifying watercolor for beginners and hobbyists, making her a trusted guide for anyone stepping into the world of creative expression.

Amazon Product 1446307352

Her online presence is further solidified through her engaging social media content and her comprehensive approach to teaching, where she prioritizes fostering confidence and joy in her students. For those intimidated by traditional art instruction, Boudon’s clear, friendly, and structured teaching method is a breath of fresh air, making her guides and books staples in the contemporary watercolor movement.

Overview of DIY Watercolor Flowers

“DIY Watercolor Flowers: The beginner’s guide to flower painting for journal pages, handmade stationery and more” is designed squarely with the novice artist in mind. First published by David & Charles in April 2019, this 160-page instructional art book introduces readers to the wonders of watercolor floral illustration, specifically targeting absolute beginners and creative hobbyists. Within the broader context of arts and crafts literature, it stands out for its modern, loose painting style and its focus on practical, multipurpose projects—catering to fans of bullet journaling, handmade gift creation, personalized stationery, and decorative crafts.

Amazon Product 1446307352

The book acts as both a comprehensive introduction to watercolor basics and an inspiration manual for those eager to inject creativity into everyday life. Boudon’s step-by-step approach, visually-driven instructions, and range of floral projects make it an excellent starting point for anyone intimidated by watercolor, as well as a valuable reference for more experienced hobbyists looking to refine their floral compositions. Its relatively affordable price point and wide availability on Amazon also make it a highly accessible entry into creative watercolor arts.

Book Structure and Layout

Physically, this product is offered in a 160-page format with dimensions of 8.46 x 0.63 x 10 inches and a solid weight of just over 2.3 pounds, lending it a substantial, quality feel in hand. Available in both paperback and hardcover editions, the book features premium printing with vibrant, high-resolution photographic and illustrative content. The page layouts are clean, spacious, and visually appealing, balancing text and graphics in a way that never feels crowded or overwhelming.

A key strength is the logical progression: the book opens with foundational material knowledge (papers, brushes, paints), gradually transitions into technique demonstrations, and culminates in full-scale compositions and creative projects. Step-by-step photographic sequences dominate the instructional sections, supported by succinct captions and color-coded tips that streamline the learning process for visual learners. The overall aesthetic is modern and cheerful—each flower is showcased with personality, and the abundance of white space makes complex steps feel approachable.

That said, some users have noted that the font size used in certain sections can be on the smaller side, potentially posing an accessibility challenge for readers with vision impairments. Nevertheless, the clarity and quality of the images and diagrams help to offset this minor drawback, ensuring the content remains digestible for most users.

Essential Techniques Covered

Marie Boudon’s instructional approach in this product prioritizes demystifying the fundamentals of watercolor. The opening chapters are dedicated to a comprehensive overview of tools and materials, including detailed advice on brush selection (with specifics on different brush types and brands), the merits of pan versus tube paints, and the impact of various watercolor paper weights and textures on the final result. This attention to materials is invaluable for true beginners, who are often overwhelmed by the plethora of art supply options.

Color theory receives a practical, hands-on treatment: Boudon guides readers through creating personal color charts, understanding values (lightness and darkness), and experimenting with saturation for more vibrant compositions. Readers learn to mix custom palettes, a crucial skill for achieving natural, harmonious floral hues.

The core watercolor techniques are introduced accessibly, covering:

  • Wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry brushwork
  • Blending, gradients, and color transitions
  • Creating contrast and depth through layering
  • Basic and advanced brushstrokes for floral shapes

Each technique is accompanied by small, confidence-building exercises—such as practicing watercolor swatches, gradients, and brush pressure—before moving into floral motifs. This encourages skill mastery before tackling complete projects.

Real-life example: A reader commented, “The exercises on dilution, blending, and brush control helped me see immediate improvement, even as someone who had never picked up a watercolor brush before.”

Step-by-Step Floral Projects

The heart of “DIY Watercolor Flowers” lies in its diverse, well-structured project gallery. Starting with individual blooms, the book covers classics such as roses, peonies, carnations, dahlias, anemones, and poppies. It doesn’t stop with flowers; readers also learn to depict various types of leaves, seed pods, and stems. Each floral subject is introduced with a breakdown of its basic shape, a stepwise painting progression (from loose washes to defining details), and tips for achieving the characteristic “loose” watercolor look.

Projects scale in complexity, so learners can begin with single flowers and progress to more involved arrangements. As confidence grows, the book introduces compositions such as bouquets, circular frames, and even multi-floral tableaus—demonstrating how to layer and integrate different elements for dynamic final pieces. Sidebars provide troubleshooting advice, reminders to experiment, and “next steps” for creative challenge-seekers.

For example, a user on Amazon noted, “I was able to paint a rose, then a carnation, and finally put them together in a card for my friend’s birthday—something I never thought I’d accomplish as a beginner.”

Creative Applications and Inspiration

Beyond technique, this product excels at inspiring real-world creativity. Boudon dedicates an entire section to practical applications for your newfound skills, offering ideas such as:

  • Decorative journal and planner pages
  • Handmade greeting cards for birthdays, weddings, and holidays
  • Inspirational quote frames and wall art
  • Custom stationery, invitations, and gift tags
  • Personalized gifts for friends and family

The book also demystifies the process of digitizing art, with clear instructions for photographing or scanning finished pieces and preparing them for print—opening up endless possibilities for creative entrepreneurs or those eager to see their designs on mugs, T-shirts, or printed cards.

What sets Boudon’s approach apart is her encouragement of experimentation. She suggests using projects as launching pads for creative adaptation, empowering readers to modify color palettes, combine different floral elements, or even invent new flowers. This growth mindset fosters long-term engagement and ensures the book remains a valuable reference, not a one-time-use manual.

User Experience and Accessibility

One of the most lauded aspects of this product is its genuine accessibility for beginners. Numerous reviews highlight the clarity and conciseness of the instructions, with users reporting early and satisfying results—even if they have no prior watercolor or drawing experience. The book’s reliance on visual step-by-step guides, rather than dense text, eases the learning curve significantly.

Marie Boudon’s unique teaching style balances structure and freedom: she avoids overwhelming the learner with technical jargon or exhaustive color theory, focusing instead on building confidence through achievable projects. This is particularly attractive for readers who may have been intimidated by more traditional art instruction books.

However, a small subset of users with visual impairments or preferences for larger print have commented on the font size of the text, noting it may require some adjustment or additional lighting to read comfortably. Despite this, the book’s high-quality images and generous layouts ensure that the visual steps remain clear and easy to follow for the vast majority of users.

A beginner noted in their review: “I was able to see my own progress right away, and within a couple of days was creating floral cards good enough to give as gifts.”

Audience Feedback and Ratings

With an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 870 ratings, this product enjoys robust praise among its audience. Reviewers consistently commend the book’s simplicity, clear illustrations, and the effectiveness of its beginner-focused instruction.

Positive feedback emphasizes:

  • The logical, approachable structure (“This book really is a Beginners Guide… simple with step-by-step pictures for each flower.”)
  • High-quality visuals (“It’s utter eye candy. The book is laid out beautifully and the explanations are well done.”)
  • Immediate results (“Was able to make floral designs satisfactory enough to send as gifts on cards.”)

Potential criticisms are generally mild, focusing on the book’s focus on loose, stylized florets (rather than photorealism), and the relatively small font size used in some sections. Some intermediate users note the simplicity may not challenge expert painters—but recognize its value for its intended audience.

Selected review quotes:

  • “Great for beginning flower painters!”
  • “A must-have for beginner floral painters.”
  • “Not a guide to realistic botanical painting, but fun for an advanced beginner or intermediate watercolor hobbyist.”
  • “The biggest downside for me… is the very tiny type size.”

Overall, the consensus is that this book delivers on its promises, providing a joyful, achievable path into watercolor floral art.

Strengths of DIY Watercolor Flowers

Several key advantages distinguish this product in the crowded field of art instruction books:

  • Comprehensive beginner coverage: Step-by-step instructions ensure high accessibility, with each concept built logically on previous lessons.
  • Beautiful, inspiring layouts: Modern design, vibrant photographs, and ample white space create a visually inviting learning environment.
  • Variety of projects: From single flowers to complex arrangements and creative applications, readers have a wealth of inspiration to explore.
  • Practical, real-life uses: Emphasis on journals, stationery, cards, and digitized art expands the value beyond mere practice exercises.
  • Encouraging teaching style: Boudon’s positive, confidence-boosting voice sets new artists at ease and encourages creative risk-taking.
  • Affordability and accessibility: The book’s price point and wide availability make it an easy investment for aspiring artists.

Compared to similar guides, such as more technical or traditional botanical painting books, “DIY Watercolor Flowers” stands out for its versatility, modern artistic sensibility, and its focus on playful, loose interpretations rather than strict realism.

Potential Drawbacks

No instructional product is without its limitations, and this book is no exception. The most frequently cited drawbacks include:

  • Loose, stylized focus: Those seeking photorealistic botanical illustrations or advanced color theory may find the content less applicable to their goals.
  • Font size: A handful of users with vision challenges have reported the text can be small, making close reading or note-taking more difficult without extra light or magnifiers.
  • Challenging for absolute beginners: While most users find the projects accessible, a few have commented that florals can be inherently challenging as an entry point—suggesting some patience and practice is needed.
  • Color choices: A few users mention idiosyncratic palette suggestions (such as carmine red and indigo) that may not be found in every basic watercolor set, though Boudon encourages adaptation.

However, these negatives are minor in the context of the book’s overall aims, and the overwhelming majority of users find the learning curve manageable and the payoff rewarding.

Final Recommendations

After thorough analysis, it is clear that “DIY Watercolor Flowers” by Marie Boudon is one of the most effective, approachable, and visually compelling guides for beginners eager to explore floral watercolor art. Its foundation in practical techniques, step-by-step projects, and creative applications ensures lasting value for a wide audience—whether you are a hobbyist, aspiring artist, journal enthusiast, or someone seeking heartfelt, handmade gifts.

Those who will benefit most include absolute beginners to watercolor, crafters looking for fresh ideas, art journaling fans, and anyone seeking a structured but playful entry into floral painting. If you desire photorealistic detail or advanced theory, you may wish to supplement with more technical botanical painting texts or advanced courses. For ongoing development, Boudon’s online workshops and other books in the “DIY Watercolor” series offer natural next steps.

In sum, this product delivers on its promise: a joyful, achievable gateway into the world of watercolor florals. Backed by hundreds of glowing reviews, it is a highly recommended addition to any artist’s bookshelf.

Buy Now on Amazon

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *