What paint do you use to dye flowers?

Painting and dying flowers is a fun craft that allows you to customize and personalize natural materials. With the right paint and technique, you can transform plain flowers into works of art. In this article, we’ll look at the best types of paint to use for dying flowers, as well as tips and tricks for getting great results.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is one of the most popular and versatile choices for dying flowers. Here are some of the benefits of using acrylic paint:

Dries quickly – Acrylic paint dries fast, so you can complete your flower dying project in less time.
Available in many colors – You can find acrylic paint in pretty much any color you need to match your flowers or creative vision.
Thin or thick consistency – Acrylic paint can be thinned out with water for a translucent effect or used thickly to completely cover petals.

Long lasting – Flowers dyed with acrylic paint will maintain their color vibrancy for years to come.

Some good acrylic paint options for dying flowers are:

Liquitex Basics – An affordable acrylic paint that provides quality results.

Craft Smart Acrylic Paint – This multi-surface acrylic paint works well on flowers.
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – Specifically designed for crafting and available in tons of colors.

Watercolor Paint

Watercolor paint is another suitable choice for dying flowers. Here are some pros of using watercolor paint:

Produces a soft, delicate look – The transparent quality of watercolor creates a subtle, watercolored effect on petals.
Blends easily – You can blend and transition between colors seamlessly with watercolor.
Dries quickly – Watercolor dries fast, so you can finish your flower dying project rapidly.

Wide range of colors – Watercolor paint comes in just about any shade you could need.

Good watercolor paint options include:

Crayola Watercolors – An affordable kids paint that works surprisingly well on flowers.

Sakura Koi Watercolor – This high quality watercolor provides vivid, rich color.
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Radiant Concentrated Water Color – Extremely concentrated and vibrant watercolor perfect for dying.

Food Coloring

Food coloring is a classic choice for dying flowers and other natural materials. Here are some benefits of using food coloring:

Very affordable – Food coloring is cheap and easy to find.
Mixable – You can mix colors to create custom shades.
Vibrant colors – Food coloring comes in very bold, vivid shades.

Edible – Since it’s non-toxic, food coloring can be used to dye edible flowers or cake decorations.

Some good food coloring options are:

McCormick Food Color & Egg Tint – A standard liquid food coloring that’s easy to use for dying.

Wilton Icing Colors – Very concentrated food coloring gels perfect for intense flower color.
Ateco Chef Master Food Colors – High quality food coloring available in many vivid colors.

Fabric Dye

Using fabric dye is an excellent way to achieve bright, saturated colors on your flowers. Here are some benefits of fabric dyes:

Intense color – Fabric dyes contain lots of pigment for bold, vivid hues.
Colorfast – The color remains fast and does not fade over time.
All-purpose – Can be used on any fabric or natural fiber including flowers.

Machine washable – Dyed flowers can be washed without losing color.

Good fabric dye choices include:

Rit All-Purpose Dye – An easy to use liquid dye in a range of colors.

Dylon Permanent Fabric Dye – Provides intense, permanent color results.
Jacquard Acid Dye – Vibrant powdered dyes that work well on silk flowers.

Spray Paint

Spray paint is the fastest, easiest way to add color to flowers. Here are some benefits of using spray paint on flowers:

Super quick – You can spray paint a bouquet of flowers in minutes.
Even coverage – The fine mist provides an all-over coat of color.
Availablility – Spray paint is sold at most hardware and craft stores.

Durable – Spray paint is very long lasting on flower materials.

Good spray paint options for flowers include:

Krylon ColorMaster Spray Paint – Available in loads of colors and bonds well to natural materials.

Rust-Oleum American Accents Spray Paint – Formulated specifically for painting flowers and farbic.
Montana Cans Spray Paint – A premium spray paint for vibrant, intense floral color.

Considerations for Dying Flowers

Here are some tips to get the best results when dying flowers with paint:

Choose the right paint for the flower material – Certain paints work better on different flower materials. Acrylics and fabric dye work well on silk. Watercolors suit fresh flowers. Spray paint adheres nicely to dried and wood flowers.
Apply paint sparingly from the base up – Lightly brush or spray paint onto the base of the petals first so the color gradually moves upward through the flower as you work.
Allow proper drying time – Give your painted flowers ample time to fully dry before touching or handling them further. Drying time varies based on paint type.

Work in a well-ventilated area – When using spray paints or other solvent-based paints, ensure the area has good air circulation to allow fumes to escape.
Seal with varnish or sealer – You can coat painted flowers with a clear acrylic sealer or floral varnish to lock in color and add shine.

How to Dye Flowers with Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is the most popular choice for dying real or artificial flowers. Follow these steps for best results when using acrylic paint on flowers:

Choose acrylic paint in your desired flower color. Liquid craft paints or acrylic artist paints both work well.
Thin the acrylic paint with a little water to make a dye consistency – about equal parts paint and water.
Pour the diluted acrylic paint into a shallow container like a plastic bowl or jar lid.

Hold the flower by the stem and gently dip or brush the flower into the paint. Move the flower around to fully coat.
Lift the flower from the paint, allowing any excess to drip off. Use a paper towel to blot or carefully wipe away any thick paint blobs.
Allow the flower to dry completely with the painted side face up. Drying time is usually 1-2 hours.

For extra shine and durability, spray the dried painted flowers lightly with acrylic sealer or floral spray varnish.

How to Dye Flowers with Watercolor

For a delicate, washed-out pastel effect on flowers, watercolor paints are perfect. Here is a simple process for dying flowers with watercolor:

Select your preferred watercolor shades. Any basic student or artist grade watercolor will work.

Squeeze some paint into a small container and add water to dilute it. Aim for a thin, inky consistency.
Hold the flower by the stem and gently brush the diluted watercolor paint onto the petals using a small paintbrush.
Slowly layer and blend colors, allowing the flower to dry slightly between coats for a watercolor wash effect.

Once fully dry, spray with matte or floral fixative spray to set the watercolor and prevent smudging.

How to Dye Flowers with Food Coloring

For a fun, vibrant project, dying flowers with food coloring is a great idea. Here is a simple process:

Select your desired food coloring shades. Opt for gel food colorings for more intense saturation.

Mix the food coloring with some water in a small container until a liquid dye consistency is reached.
Submerge the flower into the dye mixture to coat it completely. Move it around to cover all sides.
Remove the flower, letting excess dye drip back into the container. Place on paper towels to dry.

For darker shades, make a stronger mixture and apply a second coat after drying.
Allow flowers to dry fully before handling. Spray with floral sealer for added protection.

How to Dye Flowers with Fabric Dye

For colorful flowers that really pop, fabric dye is the best choice. Follow this easy technique:

Select 1-3 fabric dye colors to use. Liquid dyes or powdered dyes dissolved in water both work.
Wearing gloves, fully submerge the flower in the dye bath to soak for 10-20 minutes.
Remove the flower and squeeze out excess dye. Rinse gently under cool water.

Repeat dye soaking if a darker shade is desired. Allow to dry fully between coats.
Once dyed to the desired intensity, hang flowers to dry completely before handling.

How to Spray Paint Flowers

Spray paints make the quickest, easiest way to transform flowers into any color. Follow these directions when spray painting flowers:

Select a spray paint in your desired flower color. Craft-specific spray paints work best.
Insert stems of flowers into a block of florist foam or hold bouquet upside down by hand.
Working outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, hold can 10-12 inches from flowers.

Apply light misting coats of spray paint using a side to side sweeping motion.
Spray flowers evenly on all sides, allowing paint to dry in between coats.
Apply 2-4 coats for best color coverage. Allow to dry fully before handling.

Best Paint Colors for Popular Flower Types

Certain colors tend to look best on specific flower varieties. Here are recommended paint shades for some common flower types:

Flower Variety	Best Paint Colors
Roses	Red, pink, yellow, orange, purple
Tulips	Red, yellow, pink, purple, orange
Daisies	White, yellow, light blue
Carnations	Red, pink, white, coral, burgundy
Lilies	Orange, yellow, pink, red
Sunflowers	Yellow, gold, orange, brown
Daffodils	Yellow, white, orange
Iris	Purple, blue, yellow, white
Lavender	Purple, light blue, dark blue, pink

Tips for Painting Different Flower Types

Certain flowers require slightly different techniques when painting them for best results:

Roses – Use a small brush to carefully paint the edges of the petals. Sponging on color works well too.

Carnations – Dip or gently blot paint onto the flower petals for a diffused, watercolor look.
Lavender – Lightly spray paint lavender flowers starting at the tips of the tiny petals.
Sunflowers – Use a dry brush technique, dragging thicker paint lightly across petals.

Daisies – Dab dots of paint on the petals with a sponge applicator for a fun speckled effect.
Tulips – Brush on paint smoothly following the direction of the petals for even color.

Fixing Painting Mistakes on Flowers

Painting flowers takes some practice, so don’t worry about mistakes! Here are some tips for fixing common flower painting mishaps:

Too dark color – Lighten by carefully dipping corner of flower in water to dilute paint. Or respray lightly with white paint.
Too light color – Overcoat with another layer or two of paint for more intensity.
Splotchy coverage – Apply another smooth, even layer of paint over full flower.

Too much paint – Use a paper towel to gently dab away excess wet paint.
Smudges – Let paint dry fully, then touch up smudges with more paint.
Drips – Allow paint drips to dry, then carefully scrape off with craft knife.

Finish Options for Painted Flowers

Once your painted flowers are completely dry, you can add a finishing coat for extra vibrancy and durability:

Matte fixer – Lightly mist flowers with matte finish fixative spray. Helps set fabric dye or watercolor.
Gloss finish – For shine, spray with clear acrylic sealer. Works well over acrylic, spray paint, and food coloring.

Floral sealant – Coat with a clear floral preservative sealant spray.
Glitter spray – For shimmer, lightly spray painted flowers with glitter finishing spray.

Displaying Painted Flowers

You can showcase your hand-painted flowers in many creative ways:

Group in vase or mason jar as mixed bouquet.
Create floral wreath by wiring painted flowers onto wreath form base.
Use in centerpiece arrangements or table displays.

Make into bouquet by taping stems with floral tape or grasping together with a rubber band.
Hang upside down to air dry before displaying.
Embed in DIY paperweights, candles or resin crafts.

Decorate cards, boxes, signs and other paper crafts.
Glue to headbands, jewelry and other accessories and wearables.

Conclusion

Painting flowers allows you to have fun with color and make unique, personalized floral decor. With quality paints and the right techniques, you can create stunning works of art with flowers. Experiment with the different paint types and creative display ideas. Let your imagination run wild!