This watercolor tutorial is broken down into two parts (video tutorials below).

The first part, we'll be painting two of the four types of honeybees: Black Dwarf (Apis andreniformis) and Red Dwarf (Apis florea).

The second part, we’ll be painting Western (Apis mellifera) and Giant (Apis dorsata).

I can't wait to paint these watercolor bees with you!

♡ Paint with Me ♡

Right click and save my outline below! I have the names typed so you know what each bee is.

I’ll be painting each bee as an individual painting. You can do that or paint them all together as one painting - like the outline below.

Photos of Black Dwarf Bee

Photos of Red Dwarf Bee

A Note on Copyright

I’ve been getting questions on if it’s legal to paint a photo found on Google of a butterfly. The answer is: yes and no. It depends on the photo and how much of the photo you paint. But if you find a photo of a butterfly and just paint the butterfly, it’s legal. This is because photos of butterflies (and many other nature subjects) fall under the “general subject matter” for copyright.

Now, if you paint a photo of a butterfly that is unique - for example a butterfly resting on someone’s hand and you paint not just the butterfly but her hand too and perhaps a ring on her finger - then this will violate copyright since this photograph is unique.

My advice is to just paint the butterfly and if you want to add elements (like flowers) then add those in from another reference photo.

Go HERE for more details about copyright.

How to Transfer Outline onto Your Watercolor Paper

1. Print outline. Color the entire back with a dark pencil. Lay onto your watercolor paper with the outline facing up. Trace the outline with a pencil.

2. Print outline. Use transfer paper by laying the transfer paper onto your watercolor paper with your outline on top. Trace the outline with a pencil.

3. Print outline. Use a light pad by laying the outline first on your light pad and then your watercolor paper on top. You may need to be in a dark room to see the outline through your paper. Use a pencil or watercolor pencils to trace the outline. Click HERE for the light pad I use.

   
   

♡ SUPPLIES USED ♡

Shop All Supplies ► https://www.amazon.com/shop/allisonlyonart

Arteza Transfer Paper ► https://allisonlyonart.live/transferpaper

Round Brush Size 0 ► https://allisonlyonart.live/watercolorbrush0

Silver Black Velvet Round Brush Size 2 ► https://allisonlyonart.live/blackvelvetbrush2 

Silver Black Velvet Round Brush Size 4 ►https://allisonlyonart.live/blackvelvetbrush4 

Overhead Phone Tripod ► https://allisonlyonart.live/phonetripod

♡♡♡ WATERCOLOR CHALLENGES♡♡♡

10 Day Watercolor Woodland Animal Challenge ► https://allisonlyonart.live/watercoloranimalchallengeyt

10 Day Watercolor Bird Challenge ► https://allisonlyonart.live/watercolorbirdchallengeyt

10 Day Watercolor Butterfly Challenge ► https://allisonlyonart.live/watercolorbutterflychallengeyt

Free Beginner Watercolor Class ► https://allisonlyonart.live/freewatercolorclass

DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.