How to Paint Oranges in Watercolor

There’s something so cheerful about painting oranges in watercolor—they’re vibrant, fun, and a great way to practice blending, layering, and adding light. Whether you’re brand new to watercolor or looking for a fresh fruit painting challenge, these 5 YouTube tutorials will walk you through everything you need to know. From loose, minimal styles to more detailed and realistic techniques, each video offers something unique and beginner-friendly. Let’s dive in and get painting! 🍊

Lets gather our supplies:

You don’t need a lot to get started, just always it is better to be prepared. These are my honest recommendations that I love and use. 

How to Paint Oranges in Watercolor 1
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  1. Watercolor brushes: get a medium brush (size 5 or 8), small size(1,2,4), and a flat brush. They will be used to create different effects when painting. Sable brushes are the best, if you want to create a professional looking piece of art.
  2. Watercolor paper: Paper will make a big difference in the outcome. It doesnt matter if you want hot or cold pressed paper. I recommend Strathmore or Winsor & Newton for beginners, but if you want to splurge then Arches paper is the best. 
  3. Best Watercolor Paints:The ones that I use and love is the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Paint Set. They have so many colors to pick from, perfect for landscapes. But if you are just a beginner you can get smaller colors range Winsor & Newton Cotman 24 Whole Pans Set. 
  4. Pencil: Best to use H, or 2H, making sure you do not have any bright lines. I love this set from Staedtler Mars. 
  5. Water jug: This can be anything, even an old cup or a jar from pickles. 
  6. Tissue paper: Grab your kitchen roll. 
  7. Eraser: Make sure that it is white and does not leave any marks. I use either normal one or a kneaded eraser to just get a lighter shade of the piece. 

1: Paint a Citrus Slice Watercolor Tutorial

This bright and beautiful tutorial is perfect for beginners! You’ll learn how to paint a juicy citrus slice—think orange, lemon, or grapefruit—using simple watercolor techniques like wet-on-wet blending and light layering.

2: How to Draw Orange in 5 minutes

Learn how to paint oranges in watercolor with this step-by-step video!  This is a perfect beginner friendly tutorial that explains how to approach painting oranges. 

3: How to Paint a Watercolour Orange

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to paint a full watercolor orange—round, juicy, and bursting with color! The video walks you through how to sketch the shape, build up rich orange tones, and add soft shadows to make it look realistic.

4. Step by Step Beginner Orange Tutorial

his tutorial is perfect if you’re just starting out and want to keep things simple and stress-free. You’ll follow along step by step as you paint a classic orange, learning how to blend colors, build soft layers, and add gentle shading.

5: Orange Watercolor Illustration

This tutorial has a fun, illustration-style twist! You’ll paint a stylized orange with playful colors, soft textures, and maybe even a little leaf or two for extra charm. It’s a great pick if you love sketchbook journaling or want to add a bit of personality to your fruit painting. The steps are simple and beginner-friendly, but the result is super cute and creative. Perfect for experimenting and letting your own style shine through! 

Whether you love bold, loose brushwork or detailed, realistic textures, these 5 watercolor orange tutorials will help you build confidence and skill in a fun, relaxed way. Try one or try them all—and don’t forget to enjoy the process! Let me know which tutorial was your favorite in the comments. Happy painting! 🍊✨