EVERGREEN TREE IN WINTER WATERCOLOR PAINTING TUTORIAL SUPPLIES
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Supplies I used:
Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper
Watercolor Paint
Brushes
Ceramic Pallet (totally optional and a small saucer will do)
Water
Paper Towel
Here’s a full list of all the art supplies I use. I listed them on Amazon for convenience but please note that the pricing and availability may vary. I also purchase from Michales or Blick.
For the most part, I allow my children to use my supplies. I’m not very picky and I’m a fan of using whatever you have on hand or is most accessible to you. That being said, I find that we have a more satisfying and enjoyable experience with the better quality supplies. This is particularly true with the paper. We always have a few pads of the Canson XL series on hand but my favorite is the Arches Cold Pressed Watercolor Paper.
STEP 1: I’m starting with a 5x7 piece of watercolor paper, but you can use any size!
Create a wash over your watercolor paper using a blue-gray color that represents a wintry sky for the top 2/3 of your paper. Making sure you create a distinct horizon line between the sky and the snowy ground.
STEP 2: Starting from the bottom, add that same gray-blue color to paint your snow-covered ground. Add more water to create a gradient as bring the snowy ground to meet the sky.
Be sure your painting area is lightly saturated and allow to dry slightly before we start the next layer.
STEP 3: Next, add some green into the previous blue-gray color. Add water to create a wet mix for the next layer.
Create a background scene by loosely painting evergreen trees over your (still damp) wintery sky for a wet-on-wet effect.
Note how the green color creates a beautiful bleed as it spreads into the background wash. The trees have soft, faded edges – giving the illusion of being in the distance.
Allow this layer to dry slightly before adding the next layer.
STEP 4: Add more trees using a dryer, darker mix of paint. The color should be slightly more green than the previous layer.
Tip: use a red color to desaturate the green. Mixing in a complementary color will mute the brightness and give you a more natural color.
Allow this layer to dry before starting the next step.
STEP 5: Next, using an even more saturated (less watery) green color, start to create your tree.
I use small quick strokes to create the leaves and branches of the evergreen tree.
Create a triangle shape by gradually increasing the width of your tree as you move toward the base.
Add a trunk to your tree. Remember to fill in the places where you might see the trunk peeking through the body of your tree.
Since this evergreen tree is the main focus of the painting, I’m adding another layer of color to add depth and opacity.
STEP 6: Use a white gouache paint to add snow to the branches and at the base of your tree’s trunk.
Add water to the white gouache paint to create a loose mix. Bump your brush against your hand to splatter the paint, creating a snowy effect.
You can also manually place the snowflakes for a more precise application and to fill in any empty space.
STEP 7: I’m going to include a little cardinal to add some interest to our painting.
I’ll use a red color to paint the body, head, and tail of the bird.
Next, I’ll use a lighter, red-orange to add highlights.
Bright yellow-orange for the beak.
Black for the mask at the eyes and shadows to create depth.
And we’re done! Thanks so much for painting with me. Please be sure to tag me if you share your completed paintings on social media. I’d love to see your work!
I created a simple PDF of these instructions for your convenience. Download the instructions HERE.