How to Paint a Snow Globe in Watercolor
Understand that observing the real thing is optimal, but looking at pictures of snow globes you find online is fine, too., Find a 4-5" round object the size you want to make your globe, such as a plastic lid, bottle or jar., For the interior of the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Understand that observing the real thing is optimal
Do your research, see what globes contain and how the bases look; some are plain, some are ornate.
Decide how you want your globe to look. -
Step 2: but looking at pictures of snow globes you find online is fine
Alternatively, you can use a compass to draw a circle in the middle, slightly toward the top of a piece of 6 x 9" or 9 x 12" watercolor paper.
Follow the curve at the bottom of the circle and replicate it a few inches below the glass ball to form the bottom of the base of the globe.
Add vertical lines to complete the base and decorate it as you wish.
Keep it simple, add a special quote, song title, or make it ultra fancy.
Do this in pencil. , If you are thinking this art piece might be a gift, what does the person on the receiving end like? Natural, woodsy scenes, animals, clowns, snowmen, Santas, religious scenes, a church, toys, pets, hobbies etc. the possibilities are endless. , Below this line will represent the table top and above the background.
Draw a few swirls around the globe's base for a cloth or table covering or leave it plain. , Activate your paints if you are using a set of dry watercolors, or squeeze out a tiny amount of a variety of colors of tube paint onto a palette.
It won't take much paint, but even though you are working in miniature, it will take almost as long as doing an ordinary picture, so allow enough time not to be rushed., Draw an ellipse or curved line for the water line at the very top of the globe's interior and depict it with a fine dark, line., Go around the globe being careful to make a crisp, perfect edge.
If you have trouble with a brush, use a fine line Sharpie.
A crisp, even line and perfect circle are needed to convey the illusion. , Let the piece dry thoroughly.
Study it and make adjustments if you need to., Find the circle template you used earlier for the globe, put it in the center of a large sheet of newsprint or sketch paper and trace around it.
Poke into it with the end of a pair of scissors and cut it out carefully.
Place it over your painting so only the globe is exposed and all else is masked.
Squeeze out 1/2" of white watercolor or acrylic paint and mix with a little water to dilute it slightly.
Fully charge a 3/4" bristle brush and tap it against another big brush or wooden spoon handle to have tiny droplets fall on your paper.
Practice first on a piece of scrap paper.
Allow to dry thoroughly. , When painting transparent glass, most of the reflections are hard, dark, almost black shapes and are always seen at the edges of the glass object, contouring to the shape of the vessel.
Study the globe and look for these shapes and try to replicate them, but stop at three or four.
Paint them in barely diluted black over what is already down on the paper.
For the white highlights, use the tip of a utility or craft knife and scratch small, curved lines to represent reflected overhead lights or window shapes, if that is what you see on close observation.
Or, simply paint them with the same white you used to do the snow.
Keep these to a minimum as well. , Darkening a background that has dried lighter than you had hoped will help if the illusion is not as dramatic as you wish. -
Step 3: Find a 4-5" round object the size you want to make your globe
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Step 4: such as a plastic lid
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Step 5: bottle or jar.
-
Step 6: For the interior of the globe
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Step 7: create a tiny world
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Step 8: so include what strikes your fancy.
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Step 9: Use a ruler to draw a horizontal line on either side of the globe.
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Step 10: Prepare your paint.
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Step 11: Paint the scene and base and let the piece dry.
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Step 12: Paint the background a very dark shade
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Step 13: to make the glass appear to shine and give the illusion of depth behind the globe.
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Step 14: Add a curved shadow around the base of the globe
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Step 15: anchoring it onto the table and creating depth.
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Step 16: Make your template for the snow.
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Step 17: Create the magic of transparent glass with the shadows and highlights on the exterior of the glass.
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Step 18: Study the piece and see if
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Step 19: from a distance
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Step 20: it sparkles.
Detailed Guide
Do your research, see what globes contain and how the bases look; some are plain, some are ornate.
Decide how you want your globe to look.
Alternatively, you can use a compass to draw a circle in the middle, slightly toward the top of a piece of 6 x 9" or 9 x 12" watercolor paper.
Follow the curve at the bottom of the circle and replicate it a few inches below the glass ball to form the bottom of the base of the globe.
Add vertical lines to complete the base and decorate it as you wish.
Keep it simple, add a special quote, song title, or make it ultra fancy.
Do this in pencil. , If you are thinking this art piece might be a gift, what does the person on the receiving end like? Natural, woodsy scenes, animals, clowns, snowmen, Santas, religious scenes, a church, toys, pets, hobbies etc. the possibilities are endless. , Below this line will represent the table top and above the background.
Draw a few swirls around the globe's base for a cloth or table covering or leave it plain. , Activate your paints if you are using a set of dry watercolors, or squeeze out a tiny amount of a variety of colors of tube paint onto a palette.
It won't take much paint, but even though you are working in miniature, it will take almost as long as doing an ordinary picture, so allow enough time not to be rushed., Draw an ellipse or curved line for the water line at the very top of the globe's interior and depict it with a fine dark, line., Go around the globe being careful to make a crisp, perfect edge.
If you have trouble with a brush, use a fine line Sharpie.
A crisp, even line and perfect circle are needed to convey the illusion. , Let the piece dry thoroughly.
Study it and make adjustments if you need to., Find the circle template you used earlier for the globe, put it in the center of a large sheet of newsprint or sketch paper and trace around it.
Poke into it with the end of a pair of scissors and cut it out carefully.
Place it over your painting so only the globe is exposed and all else is masked.
Squeeze out 1/2" of white watercolor or acrylic paint and mix with a little water to dilute it slightly.
Fully charge a 3/4" bristle brush and tap it against another big brush or wooden spoon handle to have tiny droplets fall on your paper.
Practice first on a piece of scrap paper.
Allow to dry thoroughly. , When painting transparent glass, most of the reflections are hard, dark, almost black shapes and are always seen at the edges of the glass object, contouring to the shape of the vessel.
Study the globe and look for these shapes and try to replicate them, but stop at three or four.
Paint them in barely diluted black over what is already down on the paper.
For the white highlights, use the tip of a utility or craft knife and scratch small, curved lines to represent reflected overhead lights or window shapes, if that is what you see on close observation.
Or, simply paint them with the same white you used to do the snow.
Keep these to a minimum as well. , Darkening a background that has dried lighter than you had hoped will help if the illusion is not as dramatic as you wish.
About the Author
Marie Bennett
A passionate writer with expertise in home improvement topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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