When winter kicks in and the cold starts setting in, I’m all about finding ways to keep the vibes warm and creative indoors. That’s where winter painting ideas come in – my secret sauce for shaking off the winter blues.
Whether I’m riding solo or bringing in the crew, these painting sessions are more than just a pastime. It’s like turning a canvas into a vibe board for my emotions, you know?
So, check out my lineup of 65 winter painting ideas – they’re the fuel for keeping the creativity burning and adding a splash of warmth to those chilly days!
Before we begin, if you’re looking specifically for holiday painting ideas, check out these 65 Christmas Painting Ideas post. If you’re looking for more general painting ideas then this 71 Easy Painting Ideas for Beginners or 83 Painting Ideas for Kids might be what you’re looking for.
Now let’s fire-it-up with some wintery wonders…
65 Easy Winter Painting Ideas
A great way to spend the cold winter months indoors is to paint! Get inspired with winter scenes, winter landscapes, holiday season art and more.
How To Paint a Cute Snowman For Beginners
I'm snowman obsessed! What's not to love? They're cute as a button, positively joyful and nobody wears a top hat better than Frosty does! This tutorial also includes custom snowman faces and expressions you can choose from to make your snowman unique and charming.
How to Paint a Christmas Tree In a Magical Winter Landscape
This holiday season, learn how to paint a Christmas tree as a part of a magical winter landscape . This step by step tutorial (with YouTube video instructions) will guide you through every snowy step.
Snowy Mountain Winter Scene – Acrylic Painting Tutorial
Looking for a cool, crisp winter scene to paint? Follow along with Tracie's excellent step by step tutorial to learn how to paint this wonderful winter landscape painting in acrylics.
How to Paint a Cardinal On Snowy Tree Branches With Acrylic Paint
Cardinals are a beautiful winter bird that holds special meaning. The tale is that anytime you see a red cardinal it's an angel visiting you from up above. Painting one can be a healing and meaningful activity especially during the holiday season when we often miss our loved ones the most.
Winter Barn Painting: Fun Project For The Cold Season
Paint a country inspired barn painting scene for a fun project in the cold season. This winter art project can be done in steps over multiple days or in one session. Grab your cup of cocoa and enjoy painting this one.
Holiday Season Easy Floral Acrylic Painting Tutorial
Follow along with the fabulous Art Sherpa with her beginner-friendly holiday scene painting. You'll learn how to paint this gorgeous winter floral centrepiece with candles, winter berries, pine cones, pine tree branches and ornaments.
Sparkly Winter Paintings With Epsom Salt: Toddler Process Art
Looking for toddler and pre-school friendly winter art projects? This nifty process art uses Epsom salts to build a sparkly and fun texture that the youngsters will enjoy. All you need is tempera paints, glue, epsom salts and a thick art paper.
How to paint Northern lights
Learn how to paint the northern lights in this step by step tutorial by Tracie. This winter scene of the arora borealis is easy enough for older kids, teens and beginner adults.
Winter Mountain Landscapes With Galaxy Sky
Mixing the magic of a galaxy sky with a winter scene yields some spectacular results! You can paint these on wood round ornaments, on watercolor paper (cut into circles) or a round canvas for a unique look. You can also use watercolor paints of acrylic paints as your medium.
How To Paint Evergreen Trees
Evergreen trees or Christmas tree's are one of the quintessential winter painting ideas. Paint a simple tree as a part of a larger winter scene or a singular tree as a part of the entire composition. Tracie will teach you the 3 easiest ways to paint snow-covered trees, which are aimed at beginners.
Beautiful Winter Watercolor Landscape
Capture the beauty and magic of a winter wonderland with this watercolor tutorial. Add it to your art journal, frame it, create a unique gift from it, the possibilities are endless.
How to Paint a Snowy Landscape with Acrylics
Love snowy landscapes? Follow this acrylic painting tutorial from Will Kept Art School to learn how to paint a realistic landscape of your choosing.
Mixed Media Winter Art Project for Kids This Cold Season
Keep warm this cold season with this fun mixed media painting idea you can do with the whole family. Some simple white paper, acrylic paints, cardstock are some basic supplies you'll need.
Watercolor Art Techniques: Handmade Christmas Card Ideas
Learn some watercolor art techniques, like using markers and crayons as watercolor paints, repeated word designs, salt texture, shaving cream marbleized effect, painter's tape resist, etc.
How to Paint a Winter Scene with POSCA Paint Markers on a Rock
This rock painting tutorial will show you how to use paint markers to paint a easy winter scene. You can also paint this scene on small canvases, wood rounds, and other smaller surfaces.
How To Paint Wood Slice Ornaments +10 Ideas To Get You Inspired
Paint some beautiful winter landscapes on small wooden rounds for a DIY Christmas gift idea. These rounds can be used as ornaments, mini paintings you can display, or even coasters (if sealed).
Christmas Decorations: Easy Spindle Snowman
Make this cute snowman spindle craft that doubles as a Christmas decoration! Follow along with Amy's step by step tutorial and learn how she transforms a simple wooden spindle from her local hardware store into a unique painted seasonal display piece.
Winter Scene Landscape Painting on Watercolor Paper
This winter watercolor landscape painting tutorial is perfect for novices and also kids and teens. Erin will talk you through each step of this lovely painting from a sketch, using masking tape to create the birch trees to adding salt to the sky background for a nifty effect.
Winter Craft Idea: How to Paint With Snow
This wonderful winter activity is perfect for pre-schoolers and younger kids. The kids will have fun collecting snow n the great outdoors. They'll then relish in adding food coloring to make they're own palette of paint colors! All that's needed next are some brushes and paper to create anything their imagination dreams up!
Wood Slice Coasters Painted with a Winter Theme
Looking to make some unique Christmas gifts or items you can sell at a Christmas craft fair? These simple and easy winter themed coasters are a fabulous idea and a perfect winter acvitity.
How to Paint a Snowman For Kids
This snowman painting tutorial is perfect for young children. The simple steps are easy to follow and kids will love adding buttons to the dark sky background as a crafty touch.
Learn How to Paint "STARRY NIGHT CHRISTMAS" with Acrylic - Paint & Sip
Looking for a cozy winter paint nite idea? Follow along with Michelle in her full-length and well explained painting tutorial on how to paint a Christmas themed Starry Night painting.
Acrylic Painting Winter Birch Trees
I love birch trees- their markings on the bark is very unique and the structure of the tree is very simple- not many off-shooting branches or leaves. This makes the birch tree look relatively consistent from season to season. Follow along with Eileen's painting tutorial to learn how to paint some winter themed birch trees.
Fun Winter Craft Idea: Driving Through the Snow with Hot Wheels
This toddler / pre-school friendly winter craft is a great addition to a snow day activity list to keep the kids busy! The use of white paint on simple black construction paper is a perfect example of how simple crafts can be. So let the kiddoes pick their favorite hot wheels and watch them enjoy driving through the snow!
Easy Acrylic Pine Tree Painting Tutorial
I find pine trees majestic and regal. And they smell good too! I have fond memories of decorating a fresh pine around Christmas when I was a teenager and I loved their minty fresh aroma in the home. Follow this fab tutorial to learn how to paint this beautiful tree.
Winter Folk Art Trees
This painting will brighten up any snowy day. Draw different trees with tree branches then use watercolor to add a splashes of different colors.
How to Paint Snow on Tree Branches with Acrylics
Chase away the winter blues by getting into the "flow"/zone. The hand-eye focus you'll need to paint these beautiful barren tree branches will make all your worldly worries disappear like magic.
Winter Landscape Sponge Art For Younger Kids
Kids cooped up inside on a snow day with boundless energy? Hand them a sponge and some paints and watch your spirited little transform into a focused little Picasso. This tutorial will show you how they can paint this awesome winter craft.
Cozy Winter Cabin Painting Tutorial
I've always dreamed of the idea of spending a weekend in a cozy winter cabin, right smack in the middle of nowhere, all snuggled up with my love and a good ol' book. When I saw this painting it reminded me of that bucket list item. One day Snuggle Inn, one day...
Polar Bears Aurora Borealis Landscape
Polar bears are magnificient beasts. The beautiful mother/cub bond is perfectly captured in the magic of this painting. You'll also enjoy painting the vibrant colors of the Aurora Borealis that illuminates the scene.
How To Paint Hot Cocoa Window
There's nothing like a warm cup of hot cocoa after spending time outdoors in the winter. Whether it's shovelling the driveway (like I did this morning), skiing, tobogganing or just going for a winter stroll. Capture that cozy cup of chocolatey goodness in this step by step tutorial by Tracey.
Learn How to Paint "SNOW ANGELS" with Acrylic - Paint Party Tutorial
I recently asked my kids what winter activities they wanted to do this winter they said "snow-angels", to my delight. This tutorial perfectly captures that child-parent afternoon making snow angels together. Maybe these 2 followed their snow angel session with that yummy hot cocoa in the project above ?!?
Snow Scenes: Sunsets and Twinkling Snowflakes
Sunsets are one of my favorite things to experience. And sunsets in the winter are glorious and bolder compared to any other season. The reason being is that there's less humidity and the air is cleaner. As a result the colors are brighter and less hazy. This painting tutorial captures a lovely cotton candy pink sunset and glowing snowflakes.
Snowman Pom Pom Painting Craft
Grab some pom poms (or cotton balls) and a clothespin to create this kid-friendly fun winter craft. Kids will have fun dabbing paint with the pom pom to create a snowman shape and smaller pomp poms to fill in the face and buttons and scarf.
Paint a Winter Landscape Abstract Painting
Are you in the mood to paint an abstract painting? This YouTube tutorial will show you how to create an icy forest meets frozen lake piece.
Abstract Winter Art for Kids with Winter Background
Kids will have a jolly time creating this abstract winter background and whimsical tree painting. Simple supplies and a painting that can be made into cards or even framed
Snow Globe With Cabin With Black Background
I enjoy painting on a black canvas. The black background creates a beautiful contrast to the paint colors you apply over top. Especially white paint-like in this creative and winter-wonderful snow globe painting tutorial!
How To Paint Black, White & Gold winter landscape
This simple yet dramatic painting uses only 3 paint colors : black, white and gold. The warm glowing golden hue emanating from the homes windows contrast beautifully with the dark background.
How To Paint Snowy Mountains For Beginners
In the mountain painting mood? I wanted to capture the sheer grandeur of mountains when I created this painting. I remember visiting the rocky mountains in Alberta and feeling so humbled by their towering heights and majestic power. The easy to follow steps in this tutorial will show you how to paint the mountain shapes all the way to the snowy covered peaks.
Winter Forest Path Painting
This tutorial teaches you how to work with perspective to create the illusion you're walking down a treed path blanketed with snow. Follow The Art Sherpa's detailed step by step instructions to learn more.
Easy Arctic Winter Landscape Tutorial
Grab your acrylic paints and canvas and join Artist Ashley Krieger as she shows you how she painted this winter masterpiece. This painting was inspired by Ashley's time in Alaska, so it's a very meaningful piece. One that you can recreate too!
“Winter Wonderland” on Long Canvas
Want to let your creativity (and paints) loose on a large canvas? Try this beautiful winter landscape painting tutorial on a long canvas. Tracey will teach you different techniques: how to paint snow covered pine trees, how to paint snow, a wintery night sky and more...
Mini Winter Wonderland Watercolor Painting
Winter time truly is that magical time of year, where everything just looks like a scene out of fantasy movie. This clear step by step tutorial will show you how to paint this magical watercolor painting with 3 simple paint colors.
Great Small Group Painting Idea This Winter
I've always loved this idea. It can be a great team building activity in a workplace. Or a fun idea for a small group of friends or family during holiday season. Essentially use any painting and then divide it up into sections. Get each person in your group to paint they're section. Then piece the final canvases together for a multi canvas team-work of art!
Black-Capped Chickadee bird in Snow
Black-capped chickadees are a cute year-long resident in many parts of North America. Capture their infamous black markings on their head, grey wings and white body on canvas in this step by step tutorial. The Art Sherpa will show you that this painting isn't as hard as it looks.
Painting of a Frozen Lake And Misty Forest
Freeze a beautiful landscape in time by painting it on canvas. Capture the stillness of a frozen lake, the magical atmospheric effect of a cascading forest in front towering mountains. Add simplistic drama to this scene by using a monochromatic paint palette. I used blue, black and white to acrylic paint for this entire painting.
Pond Hockey in North America Landscape
Pond/rink hockey is a popular outdoor pastime in North America. My kids love it and I love watching them with a hot chocolate in hand! This painting reminded me of this tradition and it also looks faily easy to paint with the silhouetted hockey players.
10-Minute Winter Woodland Watercolor Tutorial
Got 10 minutes and feeling creative? Then you should try this wonderful winter woodland painting tutorial. Open up your water color paint tin and start painting this masterpiece.
Blue Forest Landscape Large Painting
I was in the mood to paint something winter-y on New Years Eve a couple years back. So I grabbed my 30"x30" square canvas, put my headphones on with "All I want for Christmas" playing in my ear. I loved spending a couple hours to myself and it helped bring some creative energy into the New Year.
Winter Cabin in Oil Paints
I once took an oil painting class through my City and this was the first project we worked on. The wonderful thing with oil paints is they take longer to dry so we were able to take our time to blend paints and rework areas.
Very Easy Winter Gnome And His Rabbit
This sweet winter scene will warm any heart. Paint this as a heart-warming Christmas Present or would also make a cute winter Valentine's day idea.
Winter Rock Painting Ideas
Painting on rocks is an easy winter craft to keep the kids busy at home or at school. Follow the tutorial to learn how to make these 5 winter-friendly ideas.
Easy Winter Watercolor Painting Ideas
This easy winter watercolor painting is perfect for beginners. The tutorial will walk you through each layer of this mountain and forest painting.
Winter Painting Tutorial and First Impressions of the Archer and Olive
Winter Art Ideas For Teachers: Easy Snowy City
if you're a teacher and looking for a creative painting project for your classroom, you'll love this one. The step by step instructions show how to draw the city buildings and wind swirls in the sky. She then shows you how your kids can paint it in.
Magic Salt and Watercolor Snowflake Art
This watercolor snowflake art is another great idea for the classroom or a snow day. It uses the magic of the reaction between salt and watercolor to create the nifty effect.
Bleeding Tissue Snowflake Art – The Pinterested Parent
Save all your tissue paper from Christmas gifts and get your kid to create this super cool winter craft project. This winter craft idea is perfect for preschool kids, toddlers or kids in kindergarten. Kids simply draw a fractal snowflake pattern with a black Sharpie, then use tissue paper and water to create the watercolor effect!
Couple Painting Winter Landscape
This lovely landscape painting is a perfect gift idea for your sweetheart this Christmas. It makes a unique, custom gift that shows them how much you care. Customize this painting with a scene or place you both visit.
Large Painting: Winter Forest Landscape
This simple, minimalistic winter painting would look great above the fireplace to bring some Christmas and winter vibes into your home. Grab a large canvas and some white and green paints to paint the snow and pine trees.
Fun Painting Idea: Winter Red Truck
Paint a simple red pickup truck with a Christmas tree on a wooden sign, for a Farmhouse styled art project. Christie will also show you how to add texture to the snow with a nifty texture medium called Snow-Tex by DecoArt.
Recreate Paintings By Famous Artists Like Maud Lewis
Maud Lewis is my favorite famous artist. She has an inspirational story AND she's Canadian-like me! Her art is very happy, bright and wholesome. This "Deer in Winter" painting looks like a fun one to recreate and pay homage to Maud with.
"Winter Night" - YouTube Live Paint Night
Do you run a paint party business? There's a gazillion things you need to do to run a business, so why not simplyfy by getting your clients to paint a tried and true painting tutorial on YouTube? This video is a full length (2 hour) winter painting tutorial that you can literally just press play on.
Paint A More Subtle Look: Fox Winter Scene
There's something to be said about muted colors. They might not be as punchy and attention grabbing as a vibrant color palette, but there's a simple elegance to them. This fox winter scene is a perfect example of using mostly black, white and grey with the subtle vibrant addition of an orange fox. Less is more.
How To Paint New Years Bubbly & Fireworks
If you're considering incorporating painting into your New Year's resolution plans, why not kick things off by creating a New Year's Eve painting? If the past year has been challenging and you prefer not to dwell on it, engage in a therapeutic painting session to keep your mind calm and distracted.