This time, we'll show you how to draw a simple snowy landscape using just two colors: light blue and blue.
There are no trees or buildings — it's a very simple scene made up of just snowy mountains, a snowfield, and the sky.
Since you'll use almost only these two colors, even beginners to colored pencil can try this with confidence.
Let's color it together.
About the Paper and Size Used
This time, we're using a small piece of paper, about "postcard size."
Paper that's too large can make it harder to complete, so we recommend starting with something around postcard size.
Colors Used
-
Light blue
-
Blue
Basically, we'll express the snowy landscape using just these two colors.
At the end, we'll use just a touch of yellow as an accent, but the snow scenery itself is drawn using only these two colors, without any white.
Sketch: Forming the Mountain Shapes
First, draw a faint horizontal line with light blue around the middle of the paper.
This will become the horizon (the boundary of the mountains).
From that line, draw a slightly curved line to form the shape of the mountain.
Make the top of the mountain a bit jagged, then continue the line diagonally downward.
Partway through, change direction to draw the mountain on the right, and then another mountain further in the background.
The key is to layer the mountains — foreground, middle ground, and background — keeping depth in mind.
Drawing the Bumps and Contours of the Snowy Mountain
Next, let's draw the snowfield.
Adding a bit of unevenness so the line isn't too straight will make it look like a natural snowy mountain.
Draw a zigzag line starting near the top center of the mountain, and add shadow from each angle of the zigzag.
It's important to clearly separate the shadowed side from the bright side along this zigzag line.
First, let's color the entire area using only light blue.
Coloring the Whole Area with Light Blue
Add a very light shadow even on the bright side to bring out the rugged texture of the mountain.
Near the peak, don't add too much shadow — finish it as the brightest area.
The further back a mountain is, the more lightly and softly you should color its outline to blur it, giving an impression of distance.
For the foreground mountain, draw zigzag lines horizontally to add finer, more detailed bumps and contours.
Moving your colored pencil vertically as you color makes it easier to achieve a natural mountain texture.
Coloring the Snowfield
Next, let's color the snowfield.
The key is to lay the pencil down and use the broad side of the tip to color.
Use a gentle touch, moving mostly horizontally or in a circular "swirl stroke" motion.
Making the top brighter and the bottom slightly darker will express gentle undulations.
Drawing the foreground area with a slightly bumpy snow surface will make it look even more realistic.
Coloring the Sky
Next, let's draw the sky.
First decide where the sun will be, then color the sky while avoiding the circle of the sun.
For the sky:
-
Darker at the top
-
Lighter at the bottom
Keep this gradient in mind.
This completes the first layer using light blue.
Layering Blue to Add Dimension
Next, use blue and layer it mainly over the shadowed areas.
Adding a bit more darkness gives the snowy mountain more dimension and impact.
Add blue to the snowfield too, mainly on the lower and overlapping areas,
but be careful not to overdo it, or it will become too blue.
Add color gradually to the areas that need it, while keeping an eye on the overall balance.
Using an Eraser to Create the Sun and Clouds
Once you've darkened the sky a bit, add the sunlight.
A thin holder-type eraser is easy to work with here.
Using a ruler as a guide, erase multiple radiating lines to draw the sunbeams.
Adding a light touch of yellow at the boundary between the sun and its rays will make the sun's presence really stand out.
Drawing Clouds and Finishing Up
Use the eraser to partially erase the sky and color around it to create clouds.
Repeat "erase → color around it" to shape the clouds.
Finally, make small adjustments to the whole piece and you're done.
Finished Piece and Recap
We showed you how to express the whiteness of snow without using white, using just two colors: light blue and blue.
We've completed a simple snowy landscape with majestic snow-capped mountains and a clear blue sky.
Please feel free to give it a try.
Thank you for reading all the way through.
See you again next time.