The Pōhutukawa Flower artwork was one of my earliest Wattle Fern Studio creations. Recently, I returned to paint it for a second time after updating the digital kit with a new colour palette, a refreshed colour reference and an improved paint-by-numbers sequence.

This second version gave me the chance to approach the artwork more carefully and see how much difference thoughtful layering could make.

Revisiting an early creation

There is something rewarding about returning to an older artwork with fresh eyes. The original Pōhutukawa Flower kit helped shape the beginnings of Wattle Fern Studio, but I could also see opportunities to make the colouring experience clearer and more enjoyable.

The updated version now includes a revised palette, a more accurate colour reference and a refined sequence to help guide the colouring process from beginning to end.

Building colour through layers

This time, I took more care with the order of the colours. I placed the deeper, darker shades on the lower layers and added the lighter tones above them. Working this way helped preserve the details while creating more depth and contrast throughout the flower. It also made the bright red and coral tones feel more vibrant against the darker leaves and background areas.

A relaxing weekend by the fire

Although I worked more carefully, this was still a fairly quick paint-out. I completed it over a quiet weekend while relaxing by the fire, which made the process feel especially calm and cosy.

The rich red pōhutukawa flowers brought a welcome burst of colour to a cold weekend and reminded me why I enjoyed creating this artwork in the first place.

A real digital paint-by-numbers experience

The video shows the updated Wattle Fern Studio file being coloured from the numbered canvas through to the finished artwork.

Each numbered section corresponds with a colour in the included palette, making it easy to work through the design gradually. The updated sequence also helps make the layering process more intuitive, particularly when moving from darker base colours to lighter finishing details.

Colour the updated Pōhutukawa Flower yourself

Settle in with your iPad, open the file in Procreate and enjoy bringing this iconic New Zealand flower to life at your own pace.

Explore the updated Pōhutukawa Flower digital paint-by-numbers kit

Relax. Paint. Unwind.