Quiet Winter · Plate 12 of 45

Snow crystals color reference

Most snow crystals have six sides or six arms because of the way water molecules join together when they freeze. Their exact shape depends on the temperature and moisture in the cloud where they form. Each crystal follows its own path through the cloud, which is why two are rarely alike.

Colors to reach for

Use white and pale ice blue, with soft lavender and silver in the shadows of each arm.

• white
• ice blue
• lavender
• silver
• pale blue

How to color the snow crystals, step by step

1. Read the gray shading guide first. It already marks where the snow crystals is darkest, so the shadows are mapped before you pick up a pencil.
2. Lay a light first layer of white and ice blue over the largest areas, with soft pressure and small circles, letting the gray show through.
3. Build depth with lavender and silver, 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 snow crystals?

Start with white, ice blue, lavender, silver and pale blue. Use white and pale ice blue, with soft lavender and silver in the shadows of each arm.

Where is the snow crystals in Quiet Winter?

It is plate 12 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 snow crystals 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.

More from Quiet Winter

• LynxQuiet Winter, plate 14
• PoinsettiaQuiet Winter, plate 15
• OrcaQuiet Winter, plate 16
• Blue jayQuiet Winter, plate 17

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