These Folk Art Trees created with wintery colors is a quick and easy art project to do when days are cold and short. Packed with art standards, this 60-minute project teaches line, pattern, shape and watercolor techniques.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
– Watercolor paper or regular all-purpose paper
– Black Sharpie (or waterproof) marker
– Medium paintbrush
– Liquid watercolor paints (pan watercolors are great, too)
Download the FREE Winter Folk Art Tree Drawing Guide below: (*NOTE: We recommend downloading the freebie using Chrome or Safari.)
Drawing the trees…
Draw tree trunks with a Sharpie or waterproof black marker. Start near the top of the paper and draw the trunk until it extends off the bottom.
Add branches, shapes and lines as shown in the handout and video but feel free to create your own folk art trees.
Painting the trees…
Use liquid watercolor paints to create a halo of color around the tree branches. If you don’t want the colors of paint to bleed, make sure to allow for space between each halo OR paint a few and then add in more after the first trees dry. This approach takes longer.
Fill in with the various tree colors and allow to dry before attempting to paint background (about 10 minutes).
Painting the background…
Select a color that is different from any of the tree colors and apply around the tree shapes. Allow to dry, then admire your work!
I’d love to see what your students created. Share your art on Instagram and tag us @deepspacesparkle
Pin me!
Thank you Patty! I started off not knowing what to do with Kindergarten 15 years ago and you saved me with your blog.
I tried to download, and nothing downloaded. Is it the link or something on my end that is “amiss”?
Hi Denna! Everything is working on our end. If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. Enjoy.
Beautiful art lesson as always. Thank you so much!
It didn’t work for me when I used Google Chrome. I had to use Safari browser to get the download to work.
I also requested the lesson, but got a different pack instead… no Folk Art Trees. I got a polar bear, Martin Luther King Jr., and winter tree silhouette.
Hi Laura,
I just tested the download link and all seems to be fine on my end. Are you clicking the box that “Click to Download”? When I tested the link, I added my name and email and received the Folk Art Trees. Try again and see what happens.
What grade or ages would you suggest for this project? So cute I can’t wait to do it.
What grade should I use this with?
Hi Jess! That’s a great question! I think 3rd grade would be a good base grade level for the Folk Art Trees (to get big trees with details, like the examples.). I hope that helps.
This is such fun! Thanks!
Love this!!!
Love it, can not wait to try it!
Love
Love it!
Very pretty project! Going to do this with my art class next week. I love the combination of cool watercolors to make a wintry effect. Thank you!
I love the variety of trees made with simple shapes and lines.
Great Idea I can break this into two lessons to blow drying time.
I clicked on the download link and did not get the drawing guide. Can you please send me one
Great, last minute art lesson for cold, gray, days!!!
HI Bethany,
I think I found everyone’s problem. I use Firefox and I thought I would try to install Chrome to get this to download. It worked! So I think the problem is for anyone not using Chrome. Maybe you lovely ladies could try to make these compatible with Firefox as well. I think that is why so many people are having problems.
Thanks for all your hard work!! Y^_^Y
I posted this on the Chinese New Year Tiger as well.
paula
Oh and 春節快樂喔!! (Happy Lunar New Year)
Looks like a great activity. Gives the students an opportunity to learn to draw trees in a variety of ways, instead of the same old way all the time.
Love these…will be so fun with my K students
When I clicked the link to download the activity, nothing happened. Could you send it to me please? Thanks!
Hi Carrie! Thanks so much for requesting this lesson. If you added your email address we will send it directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder in case it ended up there by mistake. Enjoy.
When it emailed a download link, it was the wrong activity.
Hi Victoria! If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. We have found that both the Chrome or Safari browsers work best so be sure to try using one of those. I just tested the link and everything worked. If you continue to have trouble you can email support@deepspacesparkle.com. Enjoy.
I just love the creative way with trees!
Thank you so much! I love this lesson.
This looks wonderful but, I am having trouble downloading the drawing guide. Can you help me with this? thank you
Hi Denita! Thanks so much for requesting our lesson! If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the pdf directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your spam folder in case our email ended up there on accident. The download hasn’t been working as well if you use the Firefox browser so be sure to try using Chrome or Safari instead. Enjoy.
Love it
Looks great! As soon as I get my watercolors in I’ll try it.
I like deepsparkle. Its so wonderful to download.
Thanks, love these winter colors!
Awesome thanks
I’m teaching line at the moment and this worked well with P-6 children
Awesome thanks
I’m teaching line at the moment and this worked well with P-6 children
good and awsome
Love this idea thanyou! What is the name of the picture book you show in the background at the end? I enjoy drawing on our literacy time to create our art. Many thanks. Tori
Just love this idea. Just need to buy 20 Sharpies and our school won’t like that. Oh dear.
The lesson will not download. 🙁
Hi Katie! The link to the download seems to be working on our end, I just tested it. We’ve recently learned that our downloads aren’t working with the Firefox browser, so I’d suggest using Chrome or Safari instead. Be sure to check your spam or junk folders.
Hi, I tried to download the winter tree drawing guide and I received ‘how to teach SPACE’ when I click on the link it’s all about space.
Hi Linda! You’re absolutely right! We will get this fixed right away. Thanks so much for letting us know.
What is the book/story you read as inspiration??
This look so fun to try!
Love this simple , easy to create lesson. Love the colors and the guided lesson plans!
Beautiful idea, I will be doing this one with my after school club
What kind of paint did you use? It’s so vibrant!
Hi Sharon! This is Bethany from Customer Support. It looks like we are using Liquid Watercolors for this project. One of our favorite brands is from Colorations! Enjoy.
Hi
Could you please email me the drawing guide for the Winter folk art trees. I cant seem to downlod it. Thanks.
Hi Catriona! Everything is working on our end. If you click the download button and add your email we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. We have found that our website doesn’t work as well with the Firefox browser so if that is your browser please try Chrome or Safari. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. Enjoy.
I noticed a book in the video. I like to use books to start off a lesson. Could you please share what book that is? Thank you
Hi: I am unable to download your freebies. I have tried several time to download the folk art trees and winter landscapes and a message appears that the site is temporarily down or has moved to another location. Let me know what to do.
Hi Karen! Thanks so much for your interest in our lessons. If you scroll to the bottom of the post you should see a green box with a yellow box the says CLICK TO DOWNLOAD. Are you using the Firefox browser? We’ve noticed that Firefox doesn’t work as well on our website so you should try Safari or Chrome. Enjoy.
Great stuff
Absolutely can’t wait to try this with my kiddos! Thanks!
Love this!
fun
Looking forward to these trees!
where do te standards and/or learning goals per grade appear?
Hi Julie! Bethany here from Customer Support. The standards and other lesson resources are only included with all the lessons inside The Sparklers’ Club membership.
What was the read aloud that you showed quickly in the video that you based this art project on?
Hi Erica! Great question. I believe it’s The Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck. Enjoy.
Hi! What size paper did you use?
Foarte frumos ! Mulțumesc pentru inspirație !
Thank you for making this available.
ADOREI!
Hi, is there another link to download the guide? Clicking to download on chrome but nothing is coming up. Thanks
Hi Aisling! Everything is working on our end. If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. Enjoy.
Could you send me the drawing guide for your Winter Folk Art Trees, please.
Hi Sandy! Thanks so much for your interest in this lesson. If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Our website works best using Chrome or Safari so if you are having issues downloading please try a different browser. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. Enjoy.
Great winter art project for my class!
This is a great website
What kind of paper do you suggest (that I might have in my school cupboard)?
Hi Ellen! Watercolor paper or regular all-purpose paper would work well with this lesson.
Absolutely gorgeous love them.
Love it!
I guess you can no longer download the “Free” handout without joining the Sparklers Club…womp womp…
Hi Mel! Thanks so much for your interest in this lesson. If you click the yellow download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. No need to join in order to receive this freebie. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to ensure it didn’t end up there. We recently realized that the Firefox browser doesn’t works as well with out website so I’d try Chrome or Safari. Enjoy.
Hello,
Very nice lesson. I really want the pdf but keep getting directed to the video. How can I get just the pdf of the folk art trees/winter folk art trees?
Thanks, dpg
Hi Debe! Thanks so much for your interest in this lesson. If you click the yellow download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to ensure it didn’t end up there. We recently realized that the Firefox browser doesn’t works as well with out website so I’d try Chrome or Safari. Enjoy.
Hi,
Thanks so much for sharing the wonderful idea!
Random qestion – what is the picture book you (with the little girl and the reindeer) show in the video example?
Thanks!
Isn’t it pretty?
It’s called The Last Stop on the Reindeer Express. Here’s a link:
https://www.deepspacesparkle.com/childrens-book-week-6-holiday-art-books-for-teachers/
Love this
I also tried to download but nothing happened. I used Google Chrome and Safari, but no joy. I’d love to use this lesson with my class.
Hi Elaine! Everything is working on our end. If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. If you don’t see it there you can email support@deepspacesparkle.com for help!
The Winter Folk Art Trees are simply beautiful. Thank you for sending the Drawing Guide Download, please.
Thank you
I would love this emailed to me please..the download button is not working for me. Thanks!
Hi Marie! If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. We have found that both the Chrome or Safari browsers work best so be sure to try using one of those. I just tested the link and everything worked. If you continue to have trouble you can email support@deepspacesparkle.com
___
Hi you send me tree copy l love it thank 😊 ❣️ darlene chuto
download
Hi Dani! If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. We have found that both the Chrome or Safari browsers work best so be sure to try using one of those. I just tested the link and everything worked. When you receive the email scroll to the bottom and click to download packet. If you continue to have trouble you can email support@deepspacesparkle.com
Thank you
I clicked “Download” and nothing happened.
Hi Danielle! I’m sorry you’re having trouble with the link. We have found that both the Chrome or Safari browsers work best so be sure to try using one of those and not Firefox which doesn’t work well on here.. I just tested the link and everything worked. If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox.
Please send me the guide. The link will not open up the email window. Can’t wait to do this with my 4th graders.
Hi Stacy! I’m sorry you’re having trouble with the link. We have found that both the Chrome or Safari browsers work best so be sure to try using one of those and not Firefox which doesn’t work well on here.. I just tested the link and everything worked. If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox.
What book do you have with this project? You briefly show a page of it.
Hi Jessica! Good catch. That was Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck (Author), Karl James Mountford (Illustrator)! Enjoy.
Wonderful! If you haven’t put this on Teachers Pay Teachers, it’s a great winter season project.
Thanks Elizabeth! We don’t sell our individual resources on Teachers Pay Teachers as we offer a much steeper discount through our own website. We offer all of our lessons and curriculums and trainings through our membership site, The Sparklers’ Club. Here’s some info: https://deepspacesparkle.lpages.co/join-waitlist/
I am unable to add my name and email address to receive any downloads – I’ve done it on a couple of different resources (today and yesterday, on Chrome and on Edge) and it won’t do anything other than spin and spin. Anything different I should try?
Hi Cheryl! We are so happy you found us. If you are having trouble joining please reach out to support@deepspacesparkle.com for assistance. We look forward to welcoming you into The Sparklers’ Club.
Hello. I can not download the guide. I click on the link and nothing happens. I’m using Chrome and have tried other search engines (firefox, explorer) and I’m still unable to do so. Is there another way to access the guide?
What children’s book is shown in the video? I like to share a book that goes with the theme of the art lesson.
Hi Janni! Good eye, we love a good book around here too. The book is The Last Stop on the Reindeer Express by Maudie Powell-Tuck. Enjoy.
Thank you so much dear Patty, I love it…. and also my students
This is beautiful!!
I can’t wait to try this with my first graders. I love that it is beautiful, fun, and teaches art concepts. My kids will love using sharpies with paint.
Please send drawing guide? The download link is not working for me?
Hi Susan! We are excited you found us. Everything is working on our end. If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. We have found that the Firefox browser doesn’t work as well on our site but both Chrome & Safari browsers work so be sure to try using one of those. Also if you are on a school computer there may be a firewall preventing the download from heading your way. I hope that helps.
Can you send me the download guide?
The button is not working for me.
Please & Thanks
Hi Orla! If you click the download button and add your email address we will send the lesson directly to your inbox. Be sure to check your Spam or Junk folders to make sure it didn’t end up there. We have found that the Firefox browser doesn’t work as well on our site but both Chrome & Safari browsers work so be sure to try using one of those. Enjoy.
This art looks fantastic
thanks