Simple Winter Watercolor Featured image

This Simple Winter Watercolor Paints Itself!

Today, let’s look at how to paint spontaneous winter watercolor landscape. We’ll use the fluidity of watercolor to create a beautiful atmospheric piece that captures the serene beauty of the winter season. Join me as we delve into each step of this painting process, letting the magic of wet into wet painting unfold.

Materials List

Paints

Ultramarine Blue: Winsor & Newton | Daniel Smith
Cerulean Blue: Winsor & Newton | Daniel Smith
Prussian Blue: Winsor & Newton | Daniel Smith
Paynes Gray: Winsor & Newton | Daniel Smith | Daniel Smith
Dioxazine Purple: Winsor & Newton | Daniel Smith
Burnt Sienna: Winsor & Newton | Daniel Smith

Brushes

Rigger Brush ( For thin lines) Buy from Amazon
Winsor & Newton Series 150 Bamboo Round #6 Buy From Amazon
Synthetic Squirrel Flat Brush Buy From Amazon

Paper

Arches Watercolor Paper Block, Cold Press, 9″ x 12″, 140 pound Buy from Amazon

Miscellaneous

Adjustable desktop easel Buy From Amazon
Easy release painters masking tape Buy from Amazon

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Simple Winter Watercolor final

This classic winter scene was painted in less that ten minutes. Most of the work was done by simply allowing the color to do what it wanted and exerting a little bit of control through tilting the paper

Total Time: 10 minutes

Step 1: Wetting the paper

Simple Winter Watercolor step 1

To start, we’ll establish our composition using the timeless rule of thirds. Allocate the top two-thirds of the paper to the expansive sky and intricate tree formations, leaving the lower third for the snowy landscape. This classic arrangement guides the viewer’s gaze and sets the stage for our winter wonderland.

Take a 1” flat brush and wet the top two-thirds of the paper with clean water. Keep it generously wet to allow the paint to bloom, creating soft and ethereal shapes.

Step 2: Painting the sky

Simple Winter Watercolor 002

With the surface still wet, introduce the lightest sky colors using Burnt Sienna and Cerulean Blue. These nearly complementary colors will blend beautifully, but the key is to minimize brushing to preserve brightness and vibrancy. Tilt the paper, letting the colors blend naturally, bringing the sky to life. Tilt the paper to control the paint’s flow, it will stop at the dry border to form a distinct horizon line.

Step 3: Adding Trees

Simple Winter Watercolor 3

Transition seamlessly to the tree line by mixing Payne’s Gray, Ultramarine, and Dioxazine Purple. I used a bamboo calligraphy brush to paint from the dry part, allowing the color to gracefully flow into the wet sky. Experiment with tilting the painting to control the flow, enjoy the unpredictable beauty of the process.

Step 4: Controlling the flow

Simple Winter Watercolor step 4

When you have decided that the color has spread far enough you can halt the flow of the indigo color by tilting the painting right up

Step 5: Creating Depth with Reflections

Simple Winter Watercolor step 5

Move to the lower third, imagining a frozen lake. Apply clean water and introduce Cerulean Blue, shaping the icy surface. Note how I created a visual lead in which points to one of the painting’s main focal points. Dab in an Indigo mixture to suggest reflections of the trees. Enhance the scene with Burnt Sienna for warmth and continuity with the sky’s colors.

Step 7: Drying and Detailing

Simple Winter Watercolor step 7

With the majority of the painting complete, use a nearly dry brush on dry areas to add texture. Consider incorporating a few more tree reflections to further enrich the scene. Take your time and enjoy the creative process.

Use a hairdryer, or allow the painting to completely dry naturally before adding details.

Prepare for the final details by gently drying the entire painting. Switch to a rigger brush to add crisp trees, branches, and intricate details. This step elevates your winter wonderland, providing depth and definition to the overall composition.

Watch the video

2 thoughts on “This Simple Winter Watercolor Paints Itself!”

  1. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS VIDEO DEMO WITH MY ART GROUP OF 4 SENIORS. WE ARE ALL IN OUR 90’S.. IS THERE A WAY TO FORWARD IT TO THEM?

    THANKS

    1. Hi Grace, on the video you should see a little arrow in the top right hand corner saying “Share” this will enable you to send your group the link

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