Draw a horizon line as lightly as possible on 12 x 18” watercolor paper. I always say “draw light until you get it right”.

Show students how to add larger trees closer to the bottom of the page and the smallest trees closer to the horizon line.

Make 5-7 trees in a variety of sizes by taping them on watercolor paper.

Add branches by ripping the tape to create more realistic-looking tree branches.

Use a wet-on-wet watercolor technique to help the colors blend in the sky. Show wetting the paper before adding paints. 

Work in sections and add salt to the winter landscape skies before the paint starts to dry.

Once paintings are dry, begin to take the tape off.

Add shading to one side of each tree. Continue on all tree trunks.

Add a cast shadow at the base of each tree with a pencil.

Use an ultra-fine permanent marker to create unique birch tree designs.