Paint a Cactus
in a Pot 🌵

Using your pencil, lightly sketch a round pot shape in the lower center of the canvas — wider at the bottom and slightly narrower at the top. Above the pot, draw a tall oval cactus body. Add two small rounded arms curving outward from the sides of the cactus. At the very top, sketch a small flower shape. Keep all lines light and loose.

Load your large flat brush with Lemon Yellow and apply it across the entire canvas. While still wet, pick up a small amount of Ocher and lightly brush it in random areas to add warmth and texture to the background. The uneven, slightly textured look gives the painting a natural, handmade feel. Let dry for 1–2 minutes.

Fill in the pot shape with Raw Sienna, following the curved shape with your brush strokes. While still wet, load a tiny amount of Lamp Black onto the tip of your brush and lightly stroke it along the bottom edge and right side of the pot to create a shadow effect. Using a fine brush, add 2 thin horizontal lines across the pot for a simple decorative detail.

Load your brush with Sap Green and fill in the entire cactus shape — the main body and both arms. Use upward strokes that follow the natural vertical direction of a cactus. Apply the paint generously for good coverage. Don't worry about perfectly smooth edges — a slightly textured surface looks more natural.

Using Emerald Green, add shading along the right side and edges of the cactus body and arms. Use vertical strokes following the cactus shape. This darker green on one side creates a simple light-and-shadow effect that makes the cactus look round and three-dimensional. The left side stays as the lighter Sap Green.

Using a fine brush and Lemon Yellow, paint small petal shapes at the top of the cactus to create the flower. Dab a small amount of Ocher in the center of the flower for depth. Then dip your fine brush in Titanium White and add small dot spines evenly scattered across the cactus body and arms. Space them out regularly for a neat, decorative look.

Step back and look at your painting. Using a fine brush and Titanium White, add a thin highlight line along the left edge of the pot to suggest reflected light. Touch up any areas where the background shows through the cactus or pot. Your cactus painting is complete! 🌵