Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
In this watercolor tutorial, I’m sharing 5 different ways to paint snowy trees without using white paint. You’ll learn how to suggest snow using water control, negative space, layering, and value instead of relying on white watercolor or gouache.
These techniques are beginner-friendly but also great practice if you want to improve your control, loosen up your trees, or create winter landscapes with more depth and atmosphere.
✨ In this video you’ll learn:
How to let the paper do the work for snowy highlights
Simple watercolor tree shapes that feel natural, not stiff
Water control tips for soft snow vs. crisp branches
How to layer winter trees without overworking
Grab your paints, a cup of water, and let’s paint some winter trees together.
⬇️ Supplies used and links are listed below
📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and save this video for later practice!
The colors in my watercolor palette:
Cad yellow, perm rose, cerulean, indigo, sap green
Ceramic palette and water dish are from pottery by Eleni: potterybyeleni.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-kristin-palette
Handmade paint by letter sparrow: lettersparrow.com
more helpful videos:
Color theory simplified: youtu.be/EZO8SjUn2tA
Beginner guide to watercolor: youtu.be/d_ptf-KBb9M
Watercolor materials I use: youtu.be/4XXKwmKMuno?si=d6LLPbKcANPF90Cu
For more tips and tutorials, follow me on Instagram
@hellolovelypeople_
Patreon
patreon.com/kristinvanleuven
My first book, Modern Watercolor
amzn.to/3zHaWHv
My second book, Your Year in Art: Watercolor
amzn.to/3zzJg7v
Flower color guide
amzn.to/3SY8OYV
Flower color theory
amzn.to/48lcSH5
Supplies list and links:
Ceramic palette and water dish are from pottery by Eleni
Paint
Lately I've been using handmade paint by letter sparrow and I'm loving it!
lettersparrow.com
winsor and newton tube paints - in my limited palette
amzn.to/38WuRas
(can select paint color and tube size)
Paint colors in my LARGE Winsor and Newton palette
Hookers green light
emerald
viridian
cad yellow hue
lemon yellow hue
cad red deep
turquoise
Opera rose
winsor and newton cotman travel pans (student grade)
amzn.to/3yRjBXv
Daler Rowny 48 watercolor pan set
amzn.to/4bJFuN6
Paper
arches cold press watercolor paper
amzn.to/3l4wubT
Baohong watercolor paper
amzn.to/3I1mAUv
Student grade paper
canson cold press amzn.to/3z6L9bP
“Just Journal It” watercolor notebook
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/JUSTJOURNALIT?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=946783696&from_page=listing
Instagram: instagram.com/just_journal_it_?igsh=dGc1NDhrNG5nM25q
Brushes
princeton round 2
amzn.to/3zYEzVM
Princeton round size 8
amzn.to/49h9GOd
Princeton flat brush
amzn.to/3SZvk3I
Princeton angular
amzn.to/42KFSqP
Polina Bright Brushes
link: polinabright.com/hellolovelypeople
code: Hellolovelypeople
for 10% off on her site
(My favorite is the round brush size 0)
Masking fluid w/ brush
amzn.to/3lThoq9
Masking fluid - fine detail
amzn.to/4bE1SaK
Masking tape
amzn.to/3T16ujX
Travel watercolor kit
amzn.to/3wlrDfO
In this watercolor tutorial, I’m sharing 5 different ways to paint snowy trees without using white paint. You’ll learn how to suggest snow using water control, negative space, layering, and value instead of relying on white watercolor or gouache.
These techniques are beginner-friendly but also great practice if you want to improve your control, loosen up your trees, or create winter landscapes with more depth and atmosphere.
✨ In this video you’ll learn:
How to let the paper do the work for snowy highlights
Simple watercolor tree shapes that feel natural, not stiff
Water control tips for soft snow vs. crisp branches
How to layer winter trees without overworking
Grab your paints, a cup of water, and let’s paint some winter trees together.
⬇️ Supplies used and links are listed below
📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and save this video for later practice!
The colors in my watercolor palette:
Cad yellow, perm rose, cerulean, indigo, sap green
Ceramic palette and water dish are from pottery by Eleni: potterybyeleni.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-kristin-palette
Handmade paint by letter sparrow: lettersparrow.com
more helpful videos:
Color theory simplified: youtu.be/EZO8SjUn2tA
Beginner guide to watercolor: youtu.be/d_ptf-KBb9M
Watercolor materials I use: youtu.be/4XXKwmKMuno?si=d6LLPbKcANPF90Cu
For more tips and tutorials, follow me on Instagram
@hellolovelypeople_
Patreon
patreon.com/kristinvanleuven
My first book, Modern Watercolor
amzn.to/3zHaWHv
My second book, Your Year in Art: Watercolor
amzn.to/3zzJg7v
Flower color guide
amzn.to/3SY8OYV
Flower color theory
amzn.to/48lcSH5
Supplies list and links:
Ceramic palette and water dish are from pottery by Eleni
Paint
Lately I've been using handmade paint by letter sparrow and I'm loving it!
lettersparrow.com
winsor and newton tube paints - in my limited palette
amzn.to/38WuRas
(can select paint color and tube size)
Paint colors in my LARGE Winsor and Newton palette
Hookers green light
emerald
viridian
cad yellow hue
lemon yellow hue
cad red deep
turquoise
Opera rose
winsor and newton cotman travel pans (student grade)
amzn.to/3yRjBXv
Daler Rowny 48 watercolor pan set
amzn.to/4bJFuN6
Paper
arches cold press watercolor paper
amzn.to/3l4wubT
Baohong watercolor paper
amzn.to/3I1mAUv
Student grade paper
canson cold press amzn.to/3z6L9bP
“Just Journal It” watercolor notebook
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/JUSTJOURNALIT?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=946783696&from_page=listing
Instagram: instagram.com/just_journal_it_?igsh=dGc1NDhrNG5nM25q
Brushes
princeton round 2
amzn.to/3zYEzVM
Princeton round size 8
amzn.to/49h9GOd
Princeton flat brush
amzn.to/3SZvk3I
Princeton angular
amzn.to/42KFSqP
Polina Bright Brushes
link: polinabright.com/hellolovelypeople
code: Hellolovelypeople
for 10% off on her site
(My favorite is the round brush size 0)
Masking fluid w/ brush
amzn.to/3lThoq9
Masking fluid - fine detail
amzn.to/4bE1SaK
Masking tape
amzn.to/3T16ujX
Travel watercolor kit
amzn.to/3wlrDfO
