Think Snow Is White? Think Again!

Most people assume snow is just white, but that’s actually the wrong way to think about it. Instead of asking, “How should I paint snow?”

the real question is: What color is snow? 

Once you understand the colors present in snow, you’ll always know how to paint it realistically.

Why Snow Isn’t Just White

When painting snow, many artists struggle to make it look realistic. The problem isn’t usually in their technique—it’s in their color choices. This applies across all mediums, whether you’re using watercolor, gouache, oil, or acrylic. Understanding the true colors of snow is essential for creating depth and realism.

If you paint snow purely white, it can make your painting look flat and unnatural. Let’s take a closer look at what’s actually happening with snow’s color.

Observing Snow in Nature

If you compare snow to a pure white reference, you’ll quickly see that most of it is not actually white. Instead, snow consists of subtle variations of grays and blues. The key to painting realistic snow is to capture these nuanced tones, rather than using stark white across the whole surface.

The light conditions also play a huge role. On a bright, sunny day, the highlights of the snow might appear close to white, but in the shadows, you’ll find deep blues and grays. This is because snow reflects the sky and surrounding environment.

The Importance of Contrast

A crucial mistake many artists make is painting all the snow white, which removes the contrast needed to define the brightest highlights. The sunlit portions of snow are the whitest parts, so if you make everything white, nothing will actually stand out.

For example, in a snowy landscape with footprints, the very top ridges of the prints catch the most light, appearing the brightest, while the indentations fall into shadow. Keeping those highlights reserved for the most reflective areas will add realism and depth.

How to Mix Colors for Snow

Many artists instinctively reach for black pigment to darken their colors, but this often creates dull, lifeless shadows. Instead, using complementary colors can yield rich, dynamic grays. A great example is mixing ultramarine blue and burnt orange to create a variety of cool and warm grays that mimic the natural tones of snow.

• On overcast days: Snow appears more gray because it’s not reflecting a bright blue sky.
• On clear days: Snow takes on a cooler, blue tint, even in the brightest areas. 

Snow at Different Times of Day

• Midday Snow: When the sun is directly overhead, the shadows will be crisp and blue, while the sunlit areas will be closer to white or a very pale warm tone.
• Sunrise & Sunset Snow: At these times, snow takes on warm tones of pink, orange, and purple, reflecting the hues of the sky.

Why Does Snow Appear White?

The reason snow generally appears white is due to how it scatters light. Snowflakes are made of ice crystals, which reflect and refract light in all directions. Because they scatter the full spectrum of light evenly, snow appears white to our eyes. However, depending on the angle of light and the surrounding environment, snow can act as a chameleon, shifting in color.

Final Thoughts

The key takeaway? Snow is rarely just white. By understanding how light and color interact with snow, you can make your winter landscapes more vibrant and realistic. Use soft grays, blues, and even warm hues when necessary, and always preserve your brightest whites for the areas where the sun is reflecting most directly. 

Next time you’re painting snow, challenge yourself to really observe its colors. You might be surprised at just how colorful snow can be!

And, If you’ve ever mixed a muddy mess instead of the vibrant color you imagined, you’re not alone. The secret? Knowing why colors behave the way they do.

Want to see these snow color mixing techniques in action? 

Watch the Youtube video below, where I break down how to mix cool grays, soft blues, and warm sunset hues to create realistic snow in your paintings. ♡