Watercolor Challenge: Sakura

March 13, 2026 / Diann Zimmerman

Cherry trees in Japan are called sakura, a word that refers both to the trees and their blossoms. Sakura hold a uniquely important place in Japanese culture, celebrated for their breathtaking beauty and their symbolism of renewal, the arrival of spring, and the fleeting nature of life. Their short blooming period—often only about a week—has made them a symbol of life’s impermanence and the beauty found in brief moments. Japan’s long tradition of hanami—gathering under blooming cherry trees to appreciate their beauty—has made sakura a symbol of joy, community, and the appreciation of brief, beautiful moments.

Watercolor challenge: Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

Here are the details:

Share a painting of blooming cherry trees (Sakura)
Sponsored by Debbie Friis-Pettitt, https://www.watercolorsthatglow.com/
Prize for 1 random participant: either an upcoming 3-day online workshop or any one of her workshop replays.
Entries must be posted in the Facebook group: Watercolor – Beginners and Beyond
Include topic hashtag in your Facebook post: #sakura
You may enter as often as you want
Open to all countries
Winner is chosen randomly
Deadline March 20, 2026, 11:59 pm ET (New York time)
Winner announced March 22, 2026
Mediums accepted: watercolor, watercolor pencils, gouache, water soluble graphite, water soluble inks, and mixed media as long as it includes watercolor

What is the prize?

Our sponsor this week is Debbie Friis-Pettitt, Watercolors that glow. One random winner will receive either an upcoming 3-day online workshop or any one of her workshop replays.

With her tutorials, you will learn how to harness the power of a simple limited palette.

To try some of her free tutorials: click here –> https://www.watercolorsthatglow.com/collections/the-basics-of-watercolor : how to make a color wheel, all about paper, transferring your image, getting control of water, painting a wash, and more. She also has a free Orange poppy beginner tutorial: https://www.watercolorsthatglow.com/courses/FREE-orange-poppy-beginner-watercolor-tutorial

Follow Debbie Friis-Pettitt on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiefriispettitt/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dpettittart
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bdpettitt/

How to support Watercolor – Beginners and Beyond?

When shopping online, please consider using our affiliate links. This helps to pay for prizes and postage to mail the prizes. We mail prizes all over the world. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #ad

Amazon: (I will get credit for anything you purchase after using my link to land on the Amazon site)

Amazon Storefront (lists of brushes, paint, paper, pens, pencils, mats, budget-friendly supplies, misc items I recommend)
Amazon – USA
Amazon – Canada
Amazon – UK

Art supplies:

Jackson’s Art Supplies
DaVinci Paints
Rosemary and Co. brushes
Fuumuui (10% discount code: WBB)
Jackman’s Art Materials (10% discount code:WBB10)
SketchBox (10% discount code: DiannSketchBox)

Online watercolor courses:

Urban Sketch Courses by Ian Fennelly

Thank you for your support!

If you have ideas to share for future challenges, please add your comment to the post –>add challenge recommendation

Where else can you find Diann/Watercolor Beginners and Beyond on social media:

For a free 7-day trial on my Patreon: Diann Zimmerman – Patreon.

This painting challenge is not endorsed, sponsored, or administered by Facebook or Instagram.

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