Step 1: Setting the Mood with the Sky (1:33 - 3:53)
The sky is where everything begins. Brad starts by lowering the opacity of his sketch layer and setting it to Multiply. This keeps the sketch visible while painting beneath it.
Using a gouache brush, he blocks in a soft, moody blue sky. What makes this step special is how he lets the brush strokes show through—those painterly textures bring warmth and character to the scene.
The trick is to keep the sky darker at the top and lighter near the horizon. It creates depth and makes the scene feel alive. Don’t forget to leave the bottom darker, so the snow-covered hills stand out when we add them.
Step 2: Adding the Snowy Hills (4:10 - 5:52)
The snowy hills are the backbone of the composition. Brad keeps these simple and graphic to give the scene that classic mid-century look.
He starts by adding a new layer for each hill. For the back hills, muted blues create a sense of distance. For the front, bright white pulls the hill forward and makes it pop.
The key here is texture. Brad lets the brush edges stay gritty and imperfect. That’s what gives the snow a hand-painted, traditional feel.
Step 3: Creating the Foreground Trees (6:06 - 9:40)
Next up: adding bold trees to the foreground for contrast and depth. Brad blocks in big, dark tree shapes using a deep blue or black. The edges are organic and slightly imperfect—it’s a subtle detail that adds charm and personality.
Once the shapes are done, he uses Alpha Lock to adjust the colors or add subtle texture. To keep things playful, Brad introduces pink-toned trees in the midground. This unexpected pop of color ties the scene together and brings in that mid-century flair.
Step 4: Adding Branches and Foreground Details (10:44 - 13:47)
With the trees blocked in, it’s time to add branches and foreground details. Brad uses a smaller brush for the branches, keeping them clean and simple.
Too many branches can overwhelm the composition, so he strikes a balance by adding just enough to give the trees character.
For the finishing touch, he adds small plants poking through the snow. These abstract shapes ground the scene and give it an extra layer of visual interest. If you’re following along, try using the eraser tool to clean up edges for a polished look.
Step 5: Stylized Background Trees and the Moon (14:13 - 15:40)
To add depth, Brad creates simple, stylized trees in the background. These shapes are lighter and more geometric, pushing them into the distance.
At the center of it all is a bold, bright moon. This simple white circle anchors the composition and gives the piece a magical, nighttime vibe. If your brush leaves a grainy edge, clean it up with the eraser for a crisp, polished look.
The contrast between the soft textures and the sharp moon helps the entire illustration feel balanced and complete.
Step 6: Adding Texture, Highlights, and Stars (20:26 - 32:41)
This is where the scene comes to life. Brad uses lighter blues and whites to add soft highlights to the snow. This makes the snow feel powdery and reflective.
For tree trunks, he brings in a gritty pencil brush to draw subtle wood grain and knots. This detail adds a tactile quality and helps the trees feel real.
Finally, Brad sprinkles in stars across the sky. Instead of plain white, he uses a soft blue for warmth. You can even connect a few stars to make simple constellations—a fun, personal touch.
To finish, he adds a hint of pink to the moon. It warms up the palette and ties everything together beautifully.
Ready to Create Your Own Winter Wonderland?
This tutorial is all about having fun and embracing imperfections. Brad’s approach shows that mid-century art is charming because it feels handmade, not perfect.
Whether you stick to these steps or add your own creative spin, remember to enjoy the process. Art is about creating something that feels alive—and sometimes it’s the imperfections that make it beautiful.
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Grab the Woodland Wonderland Brush Pack here and start creating your own winter forest today!
