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| Painting Heavy Snow on Evergreens |
Step 1: Sketch or draw the outline of an evergreen
tree. (If you want to skip this step and draw the
shape with your brush as you paint that's ok too.)
Paint the shape of an evergreen on dry paper using
a diluted mix of pale blue/blue gray/ or a clean gray
shade. What you will be painting is the beginning
stages of the shadows and contours of the snow on
the evergreen tree. It's ok to leave some isolated
white shapes if they "happen" as you go.
Let it dry. If this is for a greeting card start another
one while you wait!
tree. (If you want to skip this step and draw the
shape with your brush as you paint that's ok too.)
Paint the shape of an evergreen on dry paper using
a diluted mix of pale blue/blue gray/ or a clean gray
shade. What you will be painting is the beginning
stages of the shadows and contours of the snow on
the evergreen tree. It's ok to leave some isolated
white shapes if they "happen" as you go.
Let it dry. If this is for a greeting card start another
one while you wait!
| © 2003-2008 Susie Short Studio LLC All Rights Reserved www.susieshort.net |
An Option:
*** As it starts to dry and the paper starts to loose its
shine you may want to sprinkle a pinch of table salt in
the sky to create snowflakes.
When using salt the timing is important if the paper
gets too dry nothing will happen.
If it is too wet, the salt will not have the right reaction
to make individual snowflakes. (You may want to
experiment before trying this on your card.)
Be careful not to use too much salt. Unless you want
to create a blizzard!
After sprinkling the salt--continue to let it dry.
As it dries You should see moisture drawn up under
the salt crystals, although the rest of the sky looks
fairly dry.
Carefully and gently brush the salt off with a dry
paper towel.
The moisture collected under the salt crystals may
smear so be careful and watch what you are doing.
*** As it starts to dry and the paper starts to loose its
shine you may want to sprinkle a pinch of table salt in
the sky to create snowflakes.
When using salt the timing is important if the paper
gets too dry nothing will happen.
If it is too wet, the salt will not have the right reaction
to make individual snowflakes. (You may want to
experiment before trying this on your card.)
Be careful not to use too much salt. Unless you want
to create a blizzard!
After sprinkling the salt--continue to let it dry.
As it dries You should see moisture drawn up under
the salt crystals, although the rest of the sky looks
fairly dry.
Carefully and gently brush the salt off with a dry
paper towel.
The moisture collected under the salt crystals may
smear so be careful and watch what you are doing.
Here's a mini lesson on painting heavy snow on
evergreens that applies to painting greeting cards
or a full sized winter landscape watercolor painting.
evergreens that applies to painting greeting cards
or a full sized winter landscape watercolor painting.
Step 3: While I was waiting for the sky to dry, I added a tree line at the base
of my mountain. This is also painted with a pale wash so that it looks distant.
Use your imagination when adding the background.
Each one can be different.
of my mountain. This is also painted with a pale wash so that it looks distant.
Use your imagination when adding the background.
Each one can be different.
Step 4: In this step, we will be defining the
clumps of snow sitting on the branches. Due to
the weight of the snow the branches will tend to
sag or hang down somewhat. Each tree limb
varies in size and shape so they will be more
natural looking if they appear irregular in both
shape and position.
clumps of snow sitting on the branches. Due to
the weight of the snow the branches will tend to
sag or hang down somewhat. Each tree limb
varies in size and shape so they will be more
natural looking if they appear irregular in both
shape and position.
The pattern you are aiming for is staggered
much like laying bricks. Look at the red lines I
drew over this tree. Can you see how the lower
limbs are alternating between the limbs growing
above them?
(Hint: You will find this pattern repeated in other
forms of nature such as pine cones too!)
much like laying bricks. Look at the red lines I
drew over this tree. Can you see how the lower
limbs are alternating between the limbs growing
above them?
(Hint: You will find this pattern repeated in other
forms of nature such as pine cones too!)
If you want to lightly sketch in the placement of
these limbs using a pencil, these illustrations
will give you an idea of how to draw them. Don't
forget to incorporated any of the white patches
that "happened" as you painted step one. ( I
am using a Sharpie so you can see the marks.
Please use a pencil on your paper so you can
erase the lines later.)
these limbs using a pencil, these illustrations
will give you an idea of how to draw them. Don't
forget to incorporated any of the white patches
that "happened" as you painted step one. ( I
am using a Sharpie so you can see the marks.
Please use a pencil on your paper so you can
erase the lines later.)
Step 5: When you start painting these clumps of snow its important to blend off or soften some of the edges. To
blend or soften an edge place a stroke of clear water next to a painted stroke. The color will bleed into the damp
area. If you just make a larger puddle, you are using too much water in your initial painted stroke...adjust by
blotting your brush to eliminate some of the water.
I like to use pale shades of blue or cool grays for snow shadows. One of my favorites is a light gray-purple color.
blend or soften an edge place a stroke of clear water next to a painted stroke. The color will bleed into the damp
area. If you just make a larger puddle, you are using too much water in your initial painted stroke...adjust by
blotting your brush to eliminate some of the water.
I like to use pale shades of blue or cool grays for snow shadows. One of my favorites is a light gray-purple color.
Once you have added some of the contour and shadows to the clumps of snow you may decide that you like to
heavy snow look and leave it as it is.(See step 4 above)
Let the painting dry before moving to step 6.
Step 6:
Now you can add the branches and green needles under the snow clumps. The more green you add the lighter
the snow fall will look. There is a wide range of possibilities and looks that can be created depending on how
much or how little of the greenery you include.
Step 7: Example showing more greenery less white snow. Now add other interesting elements to complete the
setting. Ta Dah!
Below are examples of more evergreens in heavy snow with other landscape elements added. Happy Painting!
heavy snow look and leave it as it is.(See step 4 above)
Let the painting dry before moving to step 6.
Step 6:
Now you can add the branches and green needles under the snow clumps. The more green you add the lighter
the snow fall will look. There is a wide range of possibilities and looks that can be created depending on how
much or how little of the greenery you include.
Step 7: Example showing more greenery less white snow. Now add other interesting elements to complete the
setting. Ta Dah!
Below are examples of more evergreens in heavy snow with other landscape elements added. Happy Painting!
| Step 1 & 2 |
| Step 4 & 5 |
| Step 6 |
| Step 7 |
Salt added
\
\
Step 2: When it's dry, add a little more blue paint to
your mix and paint the sky around the top portion of
the evergreen tree shape. Your brush should be
fairly juicy and the paint should spread quickly and
evenly. This is called a flat wash. You may want to
paint around the top edge of a mountain too.
Now....time to let it dry again.***
your mix and paint the sky around the top portion of
the evergreen tree shape. Your brush should be
fairly juicy and the paint should spread quickly and
evenly. This is called a flat wash. You may want to
paint around the top edge of a mountain too.
Now....time to let it dry again.***
| © 2003-2008 Susie Short Studio LLC All Rights Reserved |