Painting Snow in Watercolor for R.

HI !! This is for Renee, she asked me how to paint snow. I hope it helps you. It's a really simple demo. The second photo is just a little snow scene I've used for Christmas cards. I draw the horizon line then wet the sky area and paint thalo blue and ultramarine blue in almost a flat wash using the tip of my brush or a smaller brush I dab dab dab Viridian green with some sepia to create a very loose tree shape. the water will cause it to bleed so it's fuzzy and perfect for a little tree. I add a few loose grains of kosher salt , individually for snowflakes.  I come back into the white "snow" foreground and add two lines of water and touch them with my blues and greens.. and that is it. When it dryes take off the salt, snowflakes. If it's for Christmas I add a yellow dot at the top of the tree.

The next photo is a branch with snow on it, I just pencil in a branch then draw a lump of snow going down the branch. Put the dark sepia with burnt umber for the branch and then paint the wet wash around the area minus the snow lump. Go right up to the snow with the blue. It must be dark enough to show a difference for the snow to pop out. Add snow flakes from kosher salt while wet. Then add a grey blue shadow on the side of the snowy lump to give it depth and a little definition. Hope you get to paint some snow tomorrow. Bring it to class if you do or send it to me.

I love snow. I know here on the ES we don't get much so it's usually not a big problem and leaves quickly but when we do get it, the kids get off from school and it's almost a celebration. well for my family. ha ha..

I'm happy to help with questions
hope this helps! love to each of you,Diana

The first photo is one I did last year. Lots of Thalo and lots of water to create the back washes..

Snow again and Violet Card

Snow again.. Seven inches yesterday and last night. Sadie, our lab, is so very excited. She's been running and running. It tires her out!! I'm so glad!.. She and John are shoveling the sidewalk now.. ha ha. I've been working on a simple little card a friend wants for her friend. I may add some iridescent. Making some tea for John and the kettle is whistling. I want to paint  a watercolor of some snowy something this afternoon. Stay warm and dry. Do you have snow now?? Love to you,Diana

Frosty American Holly Branch Watercolor

Hi, day two of snow, John's going out to work,he hopes. On the back roads here we get drifts and the snow plow may or may not show up for days,so I hope he makes it to the highway.

 I've been working on painting this branch of snowy American Holly. We have so many of these trees and they are gorgeous. The blues in this piece are Thalo and Ultramarine. I've stopped for awhile, this will give me a chance to decide if I keep going or stop. I may stop.I think it's pretty much done or I'll twiddle it to death.. (overwork it). I'd love to do a landscape in snow.. I'll bet in 2 days the snow will all be gone. (It's really good to go so quickly!! ha ha)

 Here's my view from my art table window,so snowy now and of course my Sadie getting in the pool. Ha ha.. She was chewing on the pool in yesterday's post.

 I tried the Dr.PH.Martin Liquid Watercolors in a freezing wash last night. Didn't work like I had hoped it's ok but very very granular. I prefer just the regular watercolor washes to freeze.  Hope you all are staying warm and dry and in. Love to you,Diana
My class was cancelled today but I just signed up for another art show.. so that is good!!! Take care!

Texture in Watercolor of Cyclamen

Hi,it snowed here. It is lovely and already melting off the road and trees. Here is a photo of my backyard with the snow, beautiful,isn't it!

With some family coming this weekend and more coming next week for Christmas I've decided to take some time and paint. Ha Ha.. I know I shouldn't but anyway.(My cookies are made-- yes you may stop by for some with a cup of coffee or tea.I know I still need to do more cleaning but--) Here is the beginning of my pink cyclamen watercolor. I bought this flower last week and love the shape of the petals.. Look closely over the middle of the cyclamens in the painting.. do you see that texture..??? Can you guess what it is? I used a potato masher on the wet paint and left it there to dry. Watercolor is wonderful.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday, start celebrating immediately. Talk to you soon, Diana