holly in the snow: a calm festive watercolour lesson

A classic winter subject

Deck the halls 😊

This week’s painting is a sprig of holly dusted with a light touch of snow — a classic Christmas subject that feels both festive and timeless.

Holly is such a satisfying plant to paint: bold, shiny leaf shapes, rich greens, bright berries, and just enough contrast to keep things interesting without feeling overwhelming.

A calm, gently paced painting

This lesson is intentionally slow and unhurried.

It’s designed for those moments when you want to carve out a little calm amid the holiday bustle — even if that calm only lasts ten minutes at a time.

Apart from the initial wet‑in‑wet background, each part of the painting can be worked on separately:

• the leaves

• the berries

• the snowy details

That means you can dip in and out whenever you have a little time to yourself, without losing the thread of the painting.

Paint in short, quiet sessions

Because the elements are broken into clear stages, this is an ideal lesson if you:

• enjoy painting in short sessions

• want something festive but not rushed

• like returning to a piece over a few days

You can stop after any stage and pick it up again later, making it a lovely fit for December’s stop‑start rhythm.

A small moment of creative calm

This holly painting isn’t about speed or productivity. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the paint, and letting the process be just as important as the finished piece.

Whether you paint it in one sitting or over several quiet moments, I hope it brings a little stillness — and a touch of winter magic — to your sketchbook.

Ready to paint?

The full step by step lesson is on Patreon and Renee's Studio

On Patreon ... Watercolour holly in the snow