Color Palettes for Winter Landscape Paintings

Depending on your color palette, a snow scene can have a frosty feel or a warm glow.

Looking for some watercolor inspiration to get you through the cold winter months? There are many ways to explore color, even when your view is blanketed in snow. In this article by artist Geoff Kersey, learn ways to shift your palette from cool to warm in winter landscape paintings.

A Wintry Mood

Ever since I began painting more than 25 years ago, I’ve enjoyed creating snow scenes in winter landscape paintings. I think this is partly because I’m attracted to the simplifying effect of the white cloak across the landscape. I like the way the sky colors are echoed through the thin shadows and the contrast between the snow and the rich winter darks of trees and hedgerows.

We all know that snow appears white, but as you can see from the following examples, there are numerous techniques and color schemes you can use to depict its effect in your winter landscape paintings.

Pick Your Palette

Snow, of course, sets the scene for many a wintry landscape. However other factors come into play—including palette selection, light and perspective. Here I share three palettes—cold, limited and warm—that I use to establish the foundation for a snowy scene, as well as how I use light and perspective to further the ambience.