It’s safe to say that the cactus is one of the coolest plants to exist.
With more than 2,000 species all over the world, cactuses (or cacti, to be more scientific) have the astounding ability to store large amounts of water.
This capability helps these prickly plants survive under extremely hot, and harsh climatic conditions.
Another interesting fact about cactuses is that they require minimal care, and can survive for up to 200 years. Isn’t that fascinating?
Cactus plants are mostly known for being a desert plant, but they can also be found in tropical and mountainous regions. Pretty much any land that has dry and rocky soil.
All these environment makes for super interesting secondary elements to include in cactus-based artowrk.
And, did you know that the thorns on the cactus are actually its spines, and the spines are its leaves?
Since artists are always up for capturing the utmost creativity of nature, this time we’ve got a striking collection of tantalizing cactus watercolor paintings to wonder upon. Come along!
Watercolor Cactus Paintings: Enchanting Thorny Succulents
Perhaps the most well-known type of cactus is the saguaro, as shown above.
No matter what the site, this cactus stands out, and stands tall. Just like the one we see in the painting above.
The painting carries elegance – its take on the detailed natural vegetation truly strikes out against the textured sheet.
The subject stands high in the center of the canvas, making it the focal point.
Our not-so-prickly cactus – senita stands gracefully in the midst of what appears to look like a sandstorm which can be seen through the swiping brushstrokes against the cactus.
This moon cactus relaxes in a mud pot while its flowers bloom in yellow and pink – adding color to the soft blues and greens.
This painting looks like a scene straight out of a movie where the protagonist wanders about in the desert, looking for a mere drop of water.
We can see a lot of attention put into the prickly spines along with a dramatic play between the light and shadow as the sun hits the tip of the cactus.
Cactuses have the ability to grow gracefully in any kind of pot as we can see in the painting above.
In a small green ceramic mug, the prickly cactus grows with tiny buds on it awaiting to bloom into flowers.
A scene of a warm evening in the desert where the sun sets, leaving the sky with an amber play between reds, oranges, yellows, and blues of the night sky.
The colors blend effortlessly while the subject remains calm yet impactful, creating a picturesque sight for the viewer.
An original artistic technique can be seen here; a normal cactus stem emerging from the canvas also looks like an abstract image where the spines add a 3D effect to the monochrome painting.
The saguaro stands high on a rocky surface against the sharp brushstrokes depicting the dusk blue sky.
A pleasant example of a painting that can be hung in your living room to bring the element of nature indoors.
These cactuses rest in a pot and calmly appear from the left side of the canvas, leaving enough breathing space for the viewer.
The Indian fig is also one of the popularly known types of cactus. Fun fact: it is edible, too.
The artistic approach flawlessly highlights the subject of the painting with soft tones for the backdrop while the brushwork exemplifies the Indian fig in a pristine manner.
The artistic approach pays great heed to the miniature details of the cactus, such as its spines.
Since the spines are an integral organ of the cactus, the painting has executed them neatly and precisely.
What an intelligent contrast between the two components placed on a side of the canvas – the pink pot and the prickly plant.
The bright sunbeam hits the cacti, showing their crevices.
It can be quite tricky to paint the light and resultant shadow but the artistic method has perfectly managed to do so.
An evening scene of the desert – simple yet impactful.
An almost graveyard effect comes about as we see the silhouettes of each simply painted plant.
Something about this painting just portrays delightfulness. The background gives the sense of a soft, cool breeze.
A minimal design on the pots with the tiny cactuses sits well in a perfect composition that is asymmetrical and lively.
Talk about theatricality.
Beauty emerging out of ashes – the prickly pear dramatically rises from a dark red cloud of dust.
The sun quietly sets in the desert, uniting tons of beautiful colors to the sky.
A cotton candy sky over the dry, prickly world of cactuses is magical.
Keeping the taller cactus in the middle and the small ones on the sides creates an interesting composition for the painting.
The eye moves accordingly as you look at the subjects which is exactly what every art piece should do.
Walking in the scorching heat of the desert but, it’s blue and cold.
A delicate pink flower growing upon a thorny cactus – nature’s work at its finest.
The watercolor floats this scene in a cloud of mystery.
Free brushstrokes of greens and browns indicate a mellow yet, theatrical element in the painting.
The planter is almost and abstract take as we we see just a ghost of it.
This painting incorporates different shades of green yet each shade stands out distinctively.
There is also an appealing gradation between the background and the subject.
Flowers sprouting on a cactus – the artist tries a unique approach with the selection of color.
This snowcapped saguaro leaves the viewer bewitched with its majestic presence.
Its magnitude in contrast with its tiny detailed linear crevices – an absolutely graceful sight.
The tulip prickly pear has extremely small thorns, almost noticeable. It appears soft and delicate and the artist has featured the lightness flawlessly.
The subtle cobalt blue sky adds a cool breeziness to the painting.
The crisp lines and the selection of colors surely make this watercolor painting stand out.
What a smart way to highlight the light and dark arts of the subject in a painting.
This painting is somewhat reminiscent of some of the Andy Warhol color styles.
A diverse mix of succulents assembles together in a hierarchal composition.
A barely visible yet, noticeable dash of a rainbow adds an enjoyable dramatic touch to the painting.
What a refreshing blend of colors for the sky while the cactus gazes above.
The composition is uniquely balanced by adding a glistening moon on the top right.
People have a love-hate relationship with cactuses. Despite having a harsh exterior, these thorny plants can look very adorable.
There is just something about them that makes them look sweet, and worthy of love.
Safe to say that the marvelous watercolor paintings given above showed us the softer and delicate side of the prickly plant through a exquisite medium i.e. watercolors.
Thus, always remember the right use of color, and technique highly matters when it comes to watercolor painting.
In fact, it doesn’t only matter with watercolor paintings, but any medium you use to create art.