Bob Ross Winter Paintings: 14 Happy Little Snow Scenes Anyone Can Paint

Bob Ross winter paintings still make people stop scrolling, and it all started with a young man in Alaska seeing snow covered mountains for the first time. While he was stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, those snowy peaks became the scenes he would return to again and again. He worked out his famous quick painting style during short daily breaks, and over his life he painted an estimated 30,000 paintings. You do not need talent or fancy supplies to try a snowy scene of your own. These cozy, beginner friendly ideas, inspired by his calm and happy approach, are perfect for long winter evenings and handmade Christmas gifts..

Bob Ross Winter Paintings Begin With a Snowy Cabin

A little cabin tucked between pine trees, with snow on the roof and a mountain behind, is the classic winter scene. According to his Wikipedia biography, Bob Ross first saw the snow and mountains that filled his paintings while serving in Alaska. Start with a soft blue sky, block in a dark mountain, then add the cabin with simple brown shapes and a white roof. Let it be imperfect. Is there a cabin you dream about visiting this winter..

You will need: canvas or canvas board, acrylic or oil paints in white, blue, brown and green, a 1 inch flat brush, a fan brush, a palette knife.

How to make it: 1. Paint a light blue sky that fades to white near the horizon. 2. Add a dark mountain and touch white along the top edge. 3. Block in the cabin and pine trees, then add snow on the roof and ground.

Snowy Mountain Peak at Dawn

Mountains are the heart of so many snowy paintings. Paint a pink and gold sky for early morning, then add a tall gray peak. Use a palette knife to drag white paint down one side so the light catches it, and leave the other side darker in shadow. That contrast is what makes the snow look real. It is surprising how quickly a mountain appears. Will your peak be tall and sharp or soft and rounded?

You will need: canvas, white, blue, gray and pink paint, a palette knife, a large flat brush.

How to make it: 1. Blend pink and gold near the bottom of the sky and blue at the top. 2. Paint the mountain shape in a blue gray. 3. Scrape white highlights down the sunny side with the knife.

Bob Ross Winter Paintings of a Frozen Lake With Pine Reflections

A still, frozen lake doubles every tree on its shore. Paint the trees first, then pull the color straight down with a dry brush to make the reflection, and add a few light horizontal lines for the ice. It feels calm and quiet, like a winter morning before anyone is awake. This is one of the most relaxing Bob Ross winter paintings to try. Where is the most peaceful lake you have ever seen?

You will need: canvas, blue, white, dark green and brown paint, a fan brush, a 1 inch brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint the sky and a line of distant trees. 2. Pull the tree colors straight down into the lake area with a dry brush. 3. Add thin white lines across for ice and snow on the banks.

Bob Ross Winter Paintings With a Red Barn at Sunset

A red barn in a snowy field is a cozy country Christmas card scene. Paint a warm orange and pink sunset, then add the barn as a simple red block with a darker roof. A few fence posts and long blue shadows on the snow finish it. This one makes a wonderful gift for anyone who grew up on a farm. Who in your family would love a barn painting?

You will need: canvas, red, white, blue, orange and brown paint, a small round brush, a flat brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint a warm sunset sky and a white snowy field. 2. Add the barn shape in red with a dark roof and door. 3. Paint fence posts and soft blue shadows across the snow.

Snow Covered Evergreen Close Up

Sometimes a single tree says everything. Paint one big evergreen up close, tapping a fan brush to make the branches, then lay thick white snow on top of each one. Keep the background soft and blurry so the tree stands out. It is a great practice piece and looks lovely framed in a simple white frame. How much snow will you pile on the branches?

You will need: canvas, dark green, white and blue paint, a fan brush, a palette knife.

How to make it: 1. Paint a soft gray blue background. 2. Tap in the tree branches with a fan brush in dark green. 3. Lay white paint on top of each branch with the knife.

Moonlit Snowy Meadow

Night scenes look magical with very few colors. Paint a deep navy sky, a round glowing moon and a soft blue snowy meadow underneath. Dark tree silhouettes at the edges frame the scene. The moonlight on the snow is just a few light strokes, but it glows. These Bob Ross winter paintings at night look amazing in a cozy living room. Will you add a few stars too?

You will need: canvas, navy, white, light blue and black paint, a round brush, a flat brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint a dark navy sky and a white moon. 2. Paint the meadow in soft blues with lighter strokes under the moon. 3. Add black tree shapes at both sides.

Snowy Covered Bridge

A covered bridge over a frozen creek feels like a scene from an old Christmas card. Paint the bridge as a simple red or brown box with a pointed roof, then add snow on top and a dark opening in the middle. A few bare trees and a creek winding underneath complete the picture. It is a wonderful painting for a winter weekend. Have you ever crossed a covered bridge?

You will need: canvas, red or brown, white, blue and gray paint, a small flat brush, a liner brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint the sky, hills and a creek. 2. Add the bridge shape with a dark opening and a white roof. 3. Paint bare trees with a thin liner brush.

Winter Scene on a Wood Slice Ornament

A small wood slice is the perfect canvas for a tiny winter scene. Paint a little sky, a mountain and a pine tree, then seal it and add a ribbon. It turns your painting practice into a Christmas ornament you can give away. Make a set of four for a family and paint each one a little differently. Who would you paint a tiny scene for?

You will need: wood slices with holes, acrylic paint, small brushes, clear sealer, ribbon or twine.

How to make it: 1. Paint a sky and a simple mountain on the wood. 2. Add a pine tree and a bit of snow. 3. Seal it and thread a ribbon through the hole.

Mini Snowscapes on Small Canvases for Gifts

Tiny 4 by 4 inch canvases are quick to paint and make sweet gifts. Paint a series of small winter scenes, a cabin, a tree and a mountain, and give them as a set with a mini easel. Small canvases are less scary for beginners because they finish fast. They also look adorable lined up on a shelf. How many could you paint in one evening?

You will need: 4 by 4 inch canvases, mini easels, acrylic paint, small brushes.

How to make it: 1. Paint the sky on all canvases at once. 2. Add one main subject to each, like a tree, cabin or peak. 3. Finish with white snow and set each on a mini easel.

Bob Ross Winter Paintings on a Wooden Serving Board

A plain wooden board becomes a holiday decor piece with a winter scene painted on it. Paint only one side, leave the other side natural, and use it as a display piece on the counter or a wall. It makes a beautiful hostess gift. Use food safe sealer if anyone plans to use it for serving, or keep it for decor only. Where would your painted board look best?

You will need: a wooden cutting or serving board, acrylic paint, brushes, clear sealer.

How to make it: 1. Sand the board lightly and wipe it clean. 2. Paint a winter scene on the front side. 3. Seal it well and add a ribbon through the handle.

Bob Ross Winter Paintings of Snowy Birch Trees

White birch trees in the snow are easier than they look. Drag white paint with the edge of a palette knife to make each trunk, then add a few black marks for the bark. Paint a soft gray or blue background first so the white trunks pop. It is a fun, modern look that fits any room. Will you paint three birches or a whole forest?

You will need: canvas, white, black, gray and blue paint, a palette knife, a flat brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint a soft gray blue background. 2. Drag white trunks down with the edge of the knife. 3. Add small black bark marks and a snowy ground.

Winter Path With Fence Posts

A snowy path that winds into the distance pulls the viewer right into the painting. Make the path wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, then add fence posts that get smaller as they go back. That simple trick creates depth. Add a few trees and maybe a little cabin at the end. Where would your winter path lead?

You will need: canvas, white, blue, brown and green paint, a flat brush, a small round brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint the sky and distant hills. 2. Paint a curving white path that narrows toward the back. 3. Add brown fence posts that shrink as they go back, and a few trees.

Northern Lights Over Snowy Hills

Alaska is famous for the northern lights, so this one fits right in with Bob Ross winter paintings. Paint ribbons of green and purple across a dark sky, blending them softly, then add snowy hills and black pine silhouettes. The colors glow against the dark background. It is a showstopper that is easier than it looks. Have you ever seen the northern lights?

You will need: canvas, black, navy, green, purple and white paint, a large soft brush, a fan brush.

How to make it: 1. Paint the sky dark navy. 2. Sweep soft green and purple ribbons across it and blend the edges. 3. Paint white hills and black pine trees along the bottom.

Bob Ross Winter Paintings as Christmas Cards

Turn your practice into Christmas cards. Paint small winter scenes on watercolor paper or blank cards, add a short note inside and mail them to people you love. A handmade painted card is something people keep for years. For more cozy ideas, browse our easy canvas paintings. Who will get your first painted card?

You will need: blank watercolor cards and envelopes, watercolor or acrylic paint, small brushes, a pen.

How to make it: 1. Paint a simple sky and hill on the front of each card. 2. Add a pine tree and a little snow. 3. Let it dry, write a note inside and mail it.