Watercolor Workbook: 30-Minute Beginner Botanical Projects – Sarah Simon

A blank watercolor page can be intimidating. This one already knows where to start.

In Watercolor Workbook: 30-Minute Beginner Botanical Projects, artist Sarah Simon guides you through 25 approachable botanical paintings—from wild roses and poppies to sunflowers and other nature-inspired subjects.

Each project is designed to be completed in about 30 minutes, with the artwork already outlined so you can skip the sketching and get straight to paint and water. Step-by-step instructions walk you through the process, including suggested paints and brushes, while the workbook's substantial watercolor paper lets you paint directly on the page.

Work through the projects in order, choose whichever flower catches your eye, or simply use the book as a low-pressure way to spend half an hour making something.

Details

Author/Artist: Sarah Simon

Projects: 25 botanical watercolor projects

Skill level: Beginner-friendly

Project time: Designed for approximately 30 minutes per project

Subjects: Flowers and botanicals, including wild roses, poppies, sunflowers, and more

Paper: 200gsm watercolor paper

Format: Pre-drawn artwork for painting directly in the workbook

Instructions: Step-by-step guidance with recommended paints and brushes

Great for: Learning watercolor, botanical painting, creative practice, and anyone who'd rather start with an inviting outline than a blank page

Why We Love It

It removes just enough of the intimidating parts.

You don't have to decide what to paint. You don't have to draw it first. And you don't need to clear an entire afternoon.

Choose a project, gather a few colors, and spend half an hour learning what watercolor does.

We especially like that you're still doing the painting yourself—the outlines simply give you somewhere to begin. As your confidence grows, the techniques you practice here can follow you right onto a blank page.

About Sarah Simon

Sarah Simon, also known as The Mint Gardener, is an artist, author, and watercolor educator known for her botanical painting and approachable teaching style. Her books and creative instruction help painters build skills through flowers, foliage, color, and observation of the natural world.