Paint your very own neon sign with bright, tropical colors for those hot summer vibes! If it is tropical, warm, and beachy, count me in and these neon signs are just that. I am excited to share how to paint a neon sign - are you ready to give it a go? First, let's see what you'll need...
Supplies:
- 4.5” x 6” watercolor paper
- Tropical colors of watercolor paint
- Pencil
- Kneaded eraser
- The Pigeon Letters round brush size 2
- The Pigeon Letters round brush size 6
- 2 containers of water
- Neon Art Patterns printable PDF
Watch this step-by-step tutorial and follow along!
Step 1: Draw the Image
On a piece of watercolor paper draw a palm tree. The drawing will have two lines very close together to create the neon tube. You can draw your own or trace the palm tree from the printable.
Tip: To trace, place the printable in the window with the paper over top. You can also shade the back of the printable with a pencil, place it over the watercolor paper, and trace.
Looking for some more watercolor inspiration?
Step 2: Paint the Outside
Grab your tropical watercolors let’s glow! With light orange, paint a hard edge against the outside tree trunk line. Soften the line with clean water to allow the paint to gradually fade into the paper. While the paint is still wet, add the darker orange right on top of the light allowing the paint to bleed into the wet paint. Continue around the rest of the trunk.
Use the same technique around the outside of the palm fronds with light and dark green watercolor.
Step 3: Paint the Inside
Once the outside is dry, paint the inside of the tree trunk with the same technique. Keep the hard edge against the white line in the middle each time.
Continue to paint inside the palm fronds.
Step 4: Show It Off!
Try other designs; the pineapple, the flamingo, or your very own! Then brag, photograph, and share! I would love to see your neon art! Tag me and Peggy on Instagram @katherine.urban.art!
See all of Katherine’s tutorials on the blog!
Katherine is a watercolor artist based in north Texas. As a Florida native, the ocean is a central theme throughout her work. She has loved both art and the ocean for as long as she can remember. Growing up, her favorite place was at the beach or in the water.
Although she's been creating art in one form or another for most of her life, it has only been in the last five years that she has had the time to create art for herself. Watercolor is her escape, her calm moments in her busy life.
In addition to ocean themes, she loves to paint landscapes of the nearby farmland. As an artist, she tries to capture the undisturbed beauty of nature, a place where the chaotic world can be forgotten, even if only for a moment.
