12 Days of Christmas Cards, Christmas Tree

2015-11-26

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm spending today with my family, eating turkey and pie. It's a wonderful time to be thankful for everything I have.

To me, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the year. To not get caught up in the absurdity Christmas presents and marketing have become. Just a simple time and good food with my family. The best things in life, after all.

So in the spirit of simplicity, here's a beautiful little Christmas tree in a snowy woods for a Christmas card.

This Christmas card takes less than 5 minutes of painting time. So you have plenty of time to paint a lovely card for someone - and spend time with your family!

Materials

Cards

Disclaimer: Jennifer Branch Gallery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Other links I receive nothing on. Most items can be bought multiple places. PaintingWatercolor.com is supported by affiliate and advertising links.

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 Blue

Pthalocyanine Blue

Pthalocyanine Green

Christmas Card Painting Steps

1. A very quick sketch of a tree with burnt sienna and pthalo green. Use your #14 round brush to keep it loose!

Let this dry completely!

2. Now some maroon perylene splattered in makes the tree more interesting! Let the colors bleed and flow together. Don't be neat!

I paint some shadows with cobalt blue on the ground. It's just a hint of a snowy woods and gives a base for the painting.

Let this dry completely.

Remember, everything dries a lot lighter than you paint it!

Christmas Card tree watercolor painting tutorial

A few more splatters and your Christmas card is done!

Have fun with this little Christmas card! It's quick and easy.

Think about variations you could add to it. Pen and ink, gold embossing... You could splatter white gouache for a snowstorm. Or add bright red Christmas balls and twining ribbon for an inside version. So many possibilities - make it your own!

I hope you're enjoying turkey and pie like me. Take a fun break to paint a little, but enjoy the holiday. That's what life is about - appreciating joy!

Merry Christmas and a Joyful Holiday to All!
Jennifer Branch

Related Entries