Easy Abstract Winter Watercolor Painting Tutorial

Updated at: 22/03/2025

Winter's frosty beauty often inspires artistic expression, but capturing its ethereal essence can seem daunting. Watercolor, with its delicate washes and ability to blend seamlessly, offers a perfect medium for translating the soft light and icy textures of a winter scene. This tutorial simplifies the process, guiding you through the creation of an abstract winter watercolor painting, perfect for beginners or those seeking a relaxing and expressive painting experience. Forget the pressure of precise detail; we'll focus on capturing the feeling of winter.

This tutorial will show you how to build up layers of color to create depth and texture, using simple techniques that anyone can master. We'll explore mixing cool tones, utilizing salt for interesting effects, and achieving a sense of movement within the composition. Ready to unleash your creativity and paint a stunning winter masterpiece? Let's dive into the step-by-step process!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • watercolor paints
  • paintbrushes
  • watercolor paper
  • masking tape
Safety Guidelines
  • Always work in a well-ventilated area. Watercolor paints and mediums can contain chemicals that may cause respiratory irritation.
  • Protect your work surface. Watercolor can stain, so cover your table with a waterproof surface like plastic or newspaper.
  • Watercolor paints can be messy. Wear old clothes or an apron to avoid staining your clothing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Paper

    • Tape your watercolor paper to a surface.

  2. Create the Sky and Horizon

    • Apply a wash of diluted blue watercolor to the top half of the paper, leaving the bottom half mostly white.
    • Paint a slightly sloped horizon line near the middle of the paper using a slightly darker blue tint.
    Paint a slightly sloped horizon line near the middle of the paper using a slightly darker blue tint.Paint a slightly sloped horizon line near the middle of the paper using a slightly darker blue tint.
    Create the Sky and Horizon

  3. Paint the Forest

    • Flick dark-colored paint (blue, green, or black) upwards from the base of the horizon line to create a forest effect. Use the wet-on-wet technique.

  4. Add the Lower Landscape

    • Paint another line diagonally downwards below the halfway mark, using splotches of color. Consider adding green for variation.
    Paint another line diagonally downwards below the halfway mark, using splotches of color. Consider adding green for variation.
    Add the Lower Landscape

  5. Refine the Forest

    • Add more tree-like lines using black and blue paint, building upon the existing forest effect.
    Add more tree-like lines using black and blue paint, building upon the existing forest effect.
    Refine the Forest

  6. Paint the Fence

    • Paint a simple, slightly uneven fence using brown paint.
    Paint a simple, slightly uneven fence using brown paint.
    Paint the Fence

  7. Add Grass

    • Add small, abstract grass strands near the fence using a brush that holds a lot of pigment.
    Add small, abstract grass strands near the fence using a brush that holds a lot of pigment.
    Add Grass

  8. Paint the Child Figure

    • Paint a simple abstract figure of a child in the foreground using blue and brown paints.
    Paint a simple abstract figure of a child in the foreground using blue and brown paints.
    Paint the Child Figure

  9. Add Details and Finishing Touches

    • red mittens, a red hat, and footsteps in the snow.
    Add finishing details: red mittens, a red hat, and footsteps in the snow.
    Add Details and Finishing Touches

Read more: Reverse Silhouette Painting: Underwater Scene Masterclass

Tips

  • Don't use too much water, especially when using the wet-on-wet technique.
  • For a more natural look, make the fence posts and horizontal elements slightly uneven.
  • Use a brush that holds a lot of pigment for effortless abstract effects (like grass).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using too much water

Reason: Excessive water dilutes the paint, leading to weak, muddy colors and loss of control.
Solution: Use less water and apply paint in layers to build depth and intensity.

2. Ignoring negative space

Reason: Focusing solely on the painted areas can result in a cluttered and unbalanced composition.
Solution: Leave some areas of the paper blank to create contrast and visual interest.

3. Overworking the painting

Reason: Trying to fix imperfections by constantly reworking the paint can result in a muddy and textured look, destroying the initial freshness.
Solution: Embrace happy accidents and learn to work quickly, accepting some imperfections to maintain the spontaneity of the watercolor.

FAQs

What kind of watercolor paints should I use for this tutorial?
Student-grade watercolors are perfectly fine for this project! You don't need expensive professional paints to achieve beautiful results. Tube paints are generally easier to work with than pans, but both will work.
I don't have a lot of experience with watercolor. Is this tutorial still suitable for me?
Absolutely! This tutorial focuses on simple techniques and abstract designs, making it ideal for beginners. Don't worry about perfection; embrace the fluidity of watercolor and have fun with the process.