How to paint Christmas Cards
Have you ever wanted to paint Christmas cards of your own?
It’s a really fun way to give your Christmas cards the personal touch and make your card recipients feel extra special. You can opt to paint a few one-offs to send to some of your besties, or you paint one and then have copies printed to send to your wider list.
But to show your artwork to your friends and family can come with some pressure. You want the results to do justice to your painting skills.
Below, I’ll run through my five favourite festive designs to inspire you and give you tips on how to paint Christmas cards you’ll feel proud to send.
1) Robin
Sure to bring a smile to any face, the Robin is the cheery bearer of holiday greetings.
His warm colours and feathery details are a joy to paint.
2) Holly and Berries
It’s so much fun to paint the glossy effects on these realistic Holly Leaves and Berries.
Your card recipients will reach out to touch them and see whether those leaves feel as shiny as they look.
3) Poinsettia
Fancy something a little brighter? Then how about this gorgeously velvety Poinsettia?
A painted poinsettia is a much more low-maintenance Christmas gift than a real one, and it will last a lot longer too!
4) Snow Effects
If a snowy scene is more your style, then check out my tips on painting snow effects.
You could paint a close-up of a pine cone like I’ve done here as your design, or you could use the technique I teach in this video to apply to another wintry composition.
5) Walnut
For something a little different, this detailed Walnut is a cracking choice!
Nuts are a regular feature of the holiday season, but their beauty can be somewhat outshone at this time of year by all the glitzier decorations. What better way to remind someone of the beauty of the small things in life by sharing a close-up painting of this walnut?
You could even team it up with this Orange for a classic stocking-filler themed Christmas card.
I hope this inspires you to paint Christmas cards for your friends and family.
I’m happy for you to use these designs to paint and then have cards printed, so long as they are for your personal, non-commercial use and you mention on the back that your painting was ‘based on an Anna Mason demo’.
If you enjoyed this post, please leave me a comment below, it always puts a smile on my face to read them.
Happy painting,
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I love and appreciate everything you teach and share
just watched you paint the lovely robin…..absolutely fabulous!not a hope of me ever having that much patience, let alone skill.
Hi Carol! I want to encourage you that if you just keep at it, you will see your art improve! I read this quote the other day and it really resonated with me: “..And if it’s possible, that means, with some hard work, that you can do it.”
Anna is a gifted teacher and one of the most encouraging, talented artists online today. Please don’t give up! The fact that you’re on here, reading this, proves that you have the desire to express yourself creatively. Remember, we all started at the beginning. Give yourself the gift of watching your skills improve as you invest the time, learning from Anna. We believe in you! <3
Hi Anna,
Providing these lovely Christmas card demonstrations is so very generous! You are making a positive difference in our world and I know I’m not alone in feeling grateful. It will be my pleasure to pass your website on to my fellow artist friends and to remind them to acknowledge you on their handmade cards.
Kindest regards,
Jane Bishop
Oh my! Oh my! Now I want to do them all. Thank you for awaking the holiday anticipation spirit. All sorts of fears and changes in the last few months. THANK YOU..
Thankyou so much Anna, That’s cheered me up on a dismal day!!
Just love your ideas for Christmas card paintings! You have inspired me! Thank you as I go forward!
Thank you beautiful work and generous if you to share
Lovely Anna. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for these! Do you paint them on watercolor paper and then paste them on a card?
You could if you were only doing a few ,but as they take so long, if you want to send to more people you’ll likely want to get one scanned and printed direct onto cards you can send.
Good afternooon, Anna!
Thank you so much for sending your “faves” for us to paint. I think I might just give them a whirl! Seem to have hit a bit of a block lately, and this just might kick start me!!
Although I haven’t been taking your classes lately as a student, I am still using what I learned from them and applying your concepts to my own work. Have been doing more drawing than painting lately and going a little “abstract”.
Thank you for keeping in touch and for lifting everyone’s spirits too.
Have a very Happy Christmas & a healthy and prosperous New Year!
Sincerely,
Jane
Thank you for generously sharing these lovely paintings Anna. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Best wishes, Sue
Thank you Anna . Love your work
Beautiful video demos once again. Really appreciate you sharing these festive scenes with us. Your email has inspired me to get painting again. Thank you so much x
Thanks Anna! As always your paintings are amazing. I just started writing my Christmas cards so now I think I’ll try to paint some for a few special people. With the snow on the ground here I’m in the mood!!
Thank you so much, Anna, As one reply said you contribute so much and we all appreciate your time and patience. All five paintings are lovely and it’s difficult to decide which one to do first.
Again Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Marilyn
as it happens Anna I have decided to paint my own Christmas cards this year so your blood has given me fresh ideas. Thank you so very much. It is very kind of you to allow us lesser mortals to share in your expertise and have such wonderful ideas and pictures to follow. I, for one, really do appreciate it.
Thank you so much for your generosity – you’ve given me something to look forward to.
Thank you so much Anna I will be trying the holy and points.Have a great holiday with your beautiful family.
Inspired by your robin card. I have painted with oils and pastels, but not had a lot of success with water colour. Now I will try the robin. Thank you for your clear and explicit webinar.