Rainbows aren’t just for leprechauns. They’re the perfect place for you favorite elven character to dance or glide. Follow along with artist Barbara Lanza as she shows you how to paint your own rainbow using acrylic or watercolor paints in just 3 simple steps.

Before you get started, you will need:

Surface: Watercolor paper

Brushes: 1/2-inch flat brush and a no. 000 round

Watercolors: Quinacridone Red, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow, Permanent Sap Green, Cobalt Blue and Winsor Violet (Dioxaznie).

Step 1: Grab a pencil and lightly sketch your rainbow. Wet the area with your 1/2-inch flat brush and let this dry briefly. Load the flat with Quinacridone Red and apply your first arc at the rainbow’s top. (see below)

Step 2: Clean the 1/2-inch flat, and while the red is still a little wet, overlap its bottom edge with Cadmium Orange.

Step 3: Follow steps 1 and 2 to add Cadmium Yellow, Permanent Sap Green, Cobalt Blue and Winsor Violet (Dioxazine). Let this dry briefly, then use the no. 000 round to adjust any areas that need it.

Find out how Barbara used the rainbow she created in her new book Enchanting Elves, available now.

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