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How to Watercolor Paint a Snail – For Beginners and Kids

October 25, 2019 by Hannah Stevenson 4 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more about my disclosure.

 

How to Watercolor Paint a Snail. Easy watercolor tutorial with step-by-step video instructions and a template. For beginners and kids.

How to Paint a Watercolor Snail

Has learning to paint what you see in nature been on your list for a while? Today I’m going to show you how to watercolor paint a cute little snail even if you are the newest beginner.  This is one of those projects that looks so hard but is really fun and easy! You might also enjoy our Watercolor Butterfly Tutorial found HERE.

Watercolor is such a great medium because it’s so versatile and dries quickly making it easy to do during nap time or whenever you can sneak some time for yourself. This is one of many tutorials/patterns I’ve made to help you feel more comfortable and confident with this awesome medium.

I designed this project with the busy mama/grandma in mind so I hope it will bring you lots of enjoyment and fun. In fact, it’s the perfect project to invite the kids to join you!

Paint a Snail With Me

Notice I said paint and not draw? I’m taking the drawing part out of the equation. Let’s not get caught up on the drawing part yet (unless of course, you want to).  Just enjoy the watercolor painting process. You will learn so much as you just experiment without the pressure to draw the perfect picture. One skill at a time, I say. So with that out of the way, let’s get started!

Quick Note

Before we get started, I’d like to invite you to join us at Nature’s Art Club! It’s a club designed to get you and your family into art and nature through monthly watercolor projects, coloring pages, original poetry, and more. You can check it out here. or just click on the photo below.

Supply List

  • Winsor Newton 12 pan watercolor set (or whatever you have on hand)
  • Watercolor Brush Set that includes Sizes 2 and 6
  • 140lb Watercolor Paper
  • Printable Pattern (found in the Templates Shop or Nature’s Art Club)
  • Graphite Paper or Window, iPad, Lightboard for tracing
  • Pencil (don’t press hard when tracing, just lightly)
  • A Kneaded Eraser (perfect way to make your lines faint but not too faint that you can’t see them)
  • Sharpie No Bleed Pen (optional for outlining after the painting is complete)

 

1. Print Out Your Pattern

 

How to Watercolor Paint Fall Leaves. Easy watercolor tutorial with step-by-step video instructions and a template. For beginners and kids.

If you are already a member of Nature’s Art Club, you can access the pattern in Nature’s Art Club.

If you aren’t ready to join the club yet and just want to do this project, you can get your pattern in our Watercolor Templates Shop. 

We also offer FREE patterns in our Lily and Thistle Resource Library (get your password below).

FREE WATERCOLOR PATTERNS AND PROJECTS!

Subscribe (FREE) and I'll send you a password giving you instant access to all of our Lily and Thistle resources: Courses, templates, patterns, how-to's and more! You will also get my weekly newsletter full of great resources for your art!

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2. Trace Your Pattern

There are so many ways to trace your pattern.  You can use graphite paper, a window, an iPad or you can even purchase an inexpensive light board. I did a post all about tracing HERE.

Just remember not to push down too hard when tracing. You want your lines to be visible enough to guide you as you are painting but not so dark that they distract from your watercolor.

3. Paint Your Snail!

Snails are so cool! Did you know Snails are one of the oldest species we know about? They appeared on the earth nearly 500 million years ago and depending on the kind of snail, they can live from 5 to 25 years! As I’ve observed nature on a regular basis, I’ve learned so many cool things.

Watercolor is so fun and forgiving and gives us a chance to stop, observe, and connect. Just play with the paint! Remember more water equals lighter, pastel-like colors, less water equals darker, more vibrant colors. Have fun and don’t overthink it. For this one, I made you a video.  Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions! I’m posting to YouTube so if you’d like to be notified of new videos, you can subscribe HERE.

4. Give to Someone You Love

Now go and give it to someone you love and remind them that slow and steady wins the race!  Or hang it up to help you remember. 🙂  I hope this will be a fun little project and provide many happy memories. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am so happy to help.

And remember, your life is your art.

Your friend in Nature

-Hannah

Please Share!

 

How to Watercolor Paint a Snail. Easy watercolor tutorial with step-by-step video instructions and a template. For beginners and kids.

Filed Under: Creative Education, Learning Resources - Kids, Nature Journaling, Watercolor Projects

Previous Post: « Free Watercolor Color Mixing Guide
Next Post: How to Watercolor Paint Easy Fall Leaves – For Beginners and Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jean Richardson

    November 16, 2019 at 4:12 am

    So cute! I would not have thought to put a layer of blue grey down on the body underneath the brown. So clever and effective.

    Reply
    • Hannah Stevenson

      November 19, 2019 at 6:53 am

      Thanks, Jean! Yes, I love the depth a little blue/grey can give to browns.

      Reply
  2. Michelle

    May 31, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    Hello there, Can you please share with me the video editing apps or software that you enjoy using the most for your set up? I am thinking of doing something similar to your set up but I dont really know where to start.
    Thank you for your time,
    Michelle

    Reply
    • Hannah Stevenson

      June 1, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Michelle,
      I know what you mean. It has taken me years to figure it all out and I’m still tweaking things. I use Screen Flow for all of my video editing and a camera overhead on a holder by the company named Heron. I’m building ceiling mount this week that I’m hoping will be even better for my needs. You can google overhead video set up and find some good ideas on YouTube. Good luck! I’m cheering you on from here!

      Reply

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