12 Days of Christmas Cards, Ornaments

Materials

Cards

5" x 7" Strathmore Watercolor Cards

Pigment List

All paints I use are M. Graham transparent watercolors, except white gouache. Other brands I recommend are Daniel Smith and Schminke.

• Nickel Azo Yellow


• Quinacridone Red


• Maroon Perylene


• Ultramarine Blue


• Cobalt Teal


• Cobalt Violet


• Burnt Sienna


• Pthalocyanine Green


• White Gouache


• Wax Crayon

Pen and Ink

Dip Pen Holder
Dip Pen Nib, Hunt Drawing Nib #99
Zig Cartoonist Highly Opaque Pen Ink, Black

Christmas Card Painting Steps

1. I use a wax crayon to reserve some of the sparkly highlights.

2. I paint the red first, using both maroon perylene and quinacridone red. Leave some holes for whites.

3. I loosely paint the green ball with pthalo green. The I start silver balls with nickel azo yellow.

Paint this card very loosely!

4. I paint a Christmas tree reflection on the balls. You have to have fun!

Don't forget splatter paint!

Let this dry.

5. Now I drip in some shadows and shape the ornaments with darker versions of the same colors. Don't forget they reflect on each other!

Let this dry completely.

6. A few squiggles with pen and ink and it's a cheerful Christmas card!

These lovely Christmas cards are sure to bring a sparkle to someone's mail box!

This is another great opportunity to practice reflective surfaces and light. Get a handful of shiny ornaments in different colors (varying the colors makes it easier and you get their reflections.) For bonus points, you can place them on a mirror!

Now, paint this quickly! Just try to get the idea of the sparkly balls, not paint every line. You don't need strong darks, since you're finishing up with the pen and ink.

Have fun with this one. Just let your brush dance!

Merry Christmas and a Joyful Holiday to All!
Jennifer Branch