How to Paint a Picture of a Christmas Wreath in WaterColor.
This is a nice project, and it is perfect for a Christmas card or art lesson for the young student. The picture has only two colors and uses three values. The project does require patience and the use of a steady hand for the tight areas.
A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET
If you have problems making the image below print, then see the HOW TO PRINT tab for some suggestions that might help. There is a link below to a file in PDF format that may work better on some devices.
This worksheet, even though it is simple and springs out of another lesson on drawing, still took about a week for me to design and create. I hope you have fun with it.
PLEASE SUPPORT MY ART
My how to paint worksheets are free and you may print as many as you like. I only ask, that if you are able, that you make a small contribution of support for my art. CLICK HERE TO DONATE. Enter any amount that you feel reflects your level of appreciation.
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| How to Paint a Watercolor Picture of a Christmas Wreath |
Here is a link to a file in PDF for those devices that have problems printing a JPEG file like the one above.
CLICK HERE for a file in PDF
Here is a larger copy of the pattern for those who like to have room to work.
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| Wreath pattern for how to paint a picture lesson |
SUPPLY LIST
You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes. You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online.
PRINTABLE LESSON NOTES
Trace the pattern on to watercolor paper. Use the 140 lb paper, it is heavy and will not buckle when it is wet. If you have problems seeing the pattern through the paper try holding it against the window with the daylight shining through then you can see it better to trace.
FIRST WASH GREEN
Use a watery light green and give all the leaves a simple flat wash of paint. It will be pale and not bright. Let the light green dry before adding other colors. LET IT DRY.
FIRST WASH RED BERRIES
Use a watery bright red and paint the berries a pale flat red. Do not try to add white it will make the red an artificial pink. Paint the ribbon a flat even pale red also. LET IT DRY.
Take your time mixing your colors. Test the color on a separate piece of paper to make sure you are happy with it before you put it on the picture.
SECOND WASH GREEN
Mix a darker green by adding blue or lavender to the green. Use the tip of a small brush and like a pencil DRAW the first shadows on the leaves. Keep the paint not so watery as before, you may need to tap the brush on the edge of the pallet to draw out the extra water. Go over each leaf and draw around the leaf to give it definition and shape. Think about the light coming from above and so there will be more dark green on the lower edge of each leaf. leave about half of the first green showing.
SECOND WASH RED
Mix a little dark red by adding some blue or a tiny bit of brown to it. With the tip of your brush draw the darker red on the lower edges of the berries and a little on the top and sides. Use the darker red to do the bottom edges of the ribbon and to separate the different parts. Leave about half of the lighter red showing.
THIRD STE-, DETAILS SHADOWS
Add a little violet or VERY LITTLE BLACK to the green. Use the tip of your brush and draw the dark shadows under and behind the leaves. It is only on the bottom edges and leaves behind others.
Add a little violet to the red or VERY LITTLE BLACK and use the tip of your brush draw the darkest areas in the ribbon and the berries.
LET IT DRY
Use pure green on your small brush and draw the line that goes up each leaf. With the same green go around the edges of the leaves as needed.
Sign your work an inch up from the bottom so there is room for a frame.
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