12 Days of Christmas Cards, Train Christmas-Tree
2018-11-23
Paint a beautiful Christmas tree this year for your Christmas cards!
Materials
Cards
Strathmore 105-210 Watercolor Cards, Full Size Cold Press, 50 Cards & Envelopes
Pigment List
All paints I use are M. Graham transparent watercolors. Other brands I highly recommend are Daniel Smith and Schminke.
- Azo Yellow
- Nickel Azo Yellow
- Pyrrol Red
- Cobalt Blue
- Viridian
- Quinacridone Rust
Fun Stuff!
Noodler's Black Waterproof Fountain Pen Ink - Bulletproof,3 ounce
Noodler's Ink Nib Creaper Standard Flex Fountain Pen - Max Emerald
Click to get printable of Christmas Tree Card!
Christmas Card Painting Steps
I started painting with the presents. Just some dashes of pyrrol red. This might be a good opportunity to use some gold watercolor paint.
I always begin with the details in a formal illustration style so their color is bright.
I add some cobalt blue and azo yellow on the decorations.
Now it's time for the train. I had to paint the engine and caboose red!
For the green, I'm using quinacridone rust and viridian. I am just quickly scribbling it around the branches. You can see why I did the ornaments first!
I choose to paint this card rather formally for me. No splatter painting anywhere!
This should be such an easy, fun little sketch! If you want to play with pen and ink, go for it! I think you'll love using a fountain pen, if you choose to try it. The Noodler's Nib Creaper has a very flexible nib, so it's the closes to a dip pen I've been able to find. It's a lot of fun to do.
However, if you're feeling like painting but not drawing, just print out the tree on cardstock on one of these watercolor cards and you're ready to go with a relaxing afternoon project!
Whichever method you choose, have fun!
Merry Christmas and a Joyful Holiday to All!
Jennifer Branch
