“Flutter” Step-by-Step Paint Along! Companion Guide


Welcome to the “Flutter” Step-by-Step Paint Along! 💛

I’m so excited you’re here and painting this little hummingbird with me. There is something so peaceful and joyful about painting hummingbirds — the bright colors, the soft florals, and the feeling of bringing something delicate and alive onto the paper one brushstroke at a time.

Whether this is your very first painting or you simply wanted a relaxing creative escape, this guide was created to help make acrylic painting feel approachable, enjoyable, and fun. My hope is that as you paint along, you not only learn new techniques, but also experience the calm and fulfillment that creativity can bring.

As you move through this guide, simply click the video tutorial link above and follow along step-by-step with me as we paint “Flutter” together. Feel free to pause the video anytime, paint at your own pace, and enjoy the process without worrying about perfection.

This project is meant to be fun, imperfect, and uniquely yours. Every painting turns out a little differently, and that is part of the beauty of creating something with your own hands. 💛

Inside your Paint Along Kit, you’ll find:

  • Two printed sketches of “Flutter” on heavy-weight paper, ready to paint!
  • A small reference print of the original painting

One sketch is intended for your final painting, and the second is included for practice, experimenting, or even sharing the experience with a friend or family member.

Every hummingbird painting will turn out a little differently, and that is part of what makes creating art so special.

The sketch has been created very lightly so the lines will not show through your finished painting. You may notice soft shading throughout some of the flowers — these marks are simply a guide to help you identify where darker colors and shadows should be applied as you paint along.

Before You Begin

Prepare Your Painting Space

Set up a comfortable area where you can relax and enjoy the process.

You will need:

  • A cup of water for rinsing brushes
  • Paper towels
  • A palette or paper plate for paint
  • Your printed sketch
  • Brushes
  • Acrylic paints

Helpful Tip

Acrylic paint dries quickly. Lightly misting your paint palette with water or sealing it inside a zip-top bag between painting sessions can help keep your paint fresh longer.

Understanding Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is wonderful for beginners because:

  • It dries quickly
  • Layers can easily be painted over
  • Colors can be blended or layered
  • Mistakes can usually be corrected once dry

Important Tip

Paint often dries slightly darker than it appears when wet.

Do not worry if your painting looks unfinished during the early stages. Most paintings begin to come together near the end once details, highlights, and contrast are added.

Supplies

For The Amazon Paint and Brush Supply List - Click Here

Brushes Used

You do not need expensive brushes to create a beautiful painting.

Flat Brush

Used for:

  • Backgrounds
  • Blending soft color transitions
  • Blocking in flowers and larger shapes

Small Detail Brush

Used for:

  • Hummingbird feathers
  • Small floral details
  • Highlights
  • Finishing touches

Helpful Tip

Rinse brushes often and gently reshape the bristles after cleaning to help them last longer.

Paint Colors Used In “Flutter”

Feel free to use similar colors you already have on hand or mix your own custom shades. You can also personalize the painting by changing the colors however you’d like — from creating a pink background to painting the flowers in completely different tones. If you would like to follow along using the exact colors I used in this tutorial, here are the paint colors used:

Main Paint Colors

I suggest starting with a beginner acrylic paint set if you are brand new to painting. You do not need dozens of individual paint colors to create beautiful artwork when you are first learning.

The only additional color I highly suggest adding is Quinacridone Magenta. It is one of my favorite colors for painting florals, hummingbirds, soft pink tones, vibrant shadows, and creating rich color mixtures. It is an incredibly versatile color that mixes beautifully with other paints and adds so much vibrancy to your artwork.

Starting with a simple beginner set plus Quinacridone Magenta is more than enough to begin creating beautiful paintings without feeling overwhelmed by too many supplies.

For the exact colors I used in full paint tubes, here is the complete list below:

Click here for the amazon supply list

Beginner Painting Tips

Watch the Video Above for an easy Beginners Guide to Painting with Acrylics! and click here for a full guide.

 

Work in Layers

Do not try to paint every detail immediately.

Start with larger shapes and general colors first, then slowly build details on top.

Step Back Often

Looking at your painting from a distance helps you notice balance, contrast, and areas that may need adjustment.

Pause the Video Anytime

There is no rush.

Paint at your own pace and enjoy the process. The video includes chapters so you can stop and return as many times as you need.  When you take a break, be sure to spray your paint with water and place in a zip-lock bag or other air-tight container to keep it wet.

 

Encouragement Before You Start 💛

Your painting does not need to look exactly like mine to be beautiful.

Every artist paints differently, and every brushstroke helps you learn and improve.

The goal is simply to relax, enjoy the creative process, and create something you feel proud of.

I hope this tutorial brings creativity, peace, and joy into your day.

Thank you so much for painting with me and supporting my artwork. It truly means so much to me. Tag me in instagram with your creations! @ashley.fineart

— Ashley Salvatori

For additional paint along kits visit my website: www.ashleysalvatori.com 

© Original artwork, sketch template, tutorial content, and paint along materials by Ashley Salvatori are for personal use only. Reproduction, teaching, resale, distribution, or commercial use of the artwork, sketch, or finished paintings created from this tutorial is prohibited.

 

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