Quiet Winter · Plate 42 of 45

Frosted lantern color reference

Frost forms when water vapor in the air freezes straight onto a cold surface, such as the glass of a lantern. It often grows in feathery patterns. A lantern's glass protects the flame from wind and snow.

Colors to reach for

Use brass gold and warm brown for the frame, yellow and orange for the flame and its glow, and white with pale blue for the icicles and frost.

• gold
• brown
• yellow
• orange
• pale blue

How to color the frosted lantern, step by step

1. Read the gray shading guide first. It already marks where the frosted lantern is darkest, so the shadows are mapped before you pick up a pencil.
2. Lay a light first layer of gold and brown over the largest areas, with soft pressure and small circles, letting the gray show through.
3. Build depth with yellow and orange, going over the gray areas a second and third time until they read as shadow and form.
4. Finish with pale blue for the smallest details and highlights, then step back and compare with the color reference above.

Questions about this page

What colors do I need to color the frosted lantern?

Start with gold, brown, yellow, orange and pale blue. Use brass gold and warm brown for the frame, yellow and orange for the flame and its glow, and white with pale blue for the icicles and frost.

Where is the frosted lantern in Quiet Winter?

It is plate 42 of 45 in Quiet Winter. Like every Nibfern drawing it is printed on one side of the page, with a light gray shading guide under the lines and a dotted cut line at the spine.

Can I frame the frosted lantern page?

Yes. Cut along the dotted line and trim to the corner marks for a 7 x 9 inch print that fits a standard 8 x 10 frame.

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