Watercolor Tutorial Part 3 – Painting Polar Bears in Northern Sunset Glow

Painting Polar Bears in Northern Light

There’s something magical about watching color melt and flow across watercolor paper — especially when painting an Arctic scene bathed in golden light. In this third installment of my Arctic Mother and Cubs watercolor series, I return to one of my favorite techniques: wet-on-wet painting.

Working from my initial pencil sketch for structure, I re-demonstrate how to let pigment and water create soft transitions that mimic fur. Each section is painted patiently, allowing colors to mingle naturally — building that distinctive watercolor glow that feels alive on the paper.

Capturing the Glow of the North

The heart of this tutorial is learning to see reflected light. Even in the cool Arctic, warm sunlight dances across the snow and fur of a mother polar bear and her cubs. I add golden washes in the shadows, layering thin transparent color to give the illusion of light bouncing across icy blues and soft whites.

Tools of the Trade:

Paints: Winsor & Newton and Schmincke watercolors

Paper: 100% cotton, 300 gsm watercolor paper

Brushwork: Large soft rounds for washes; smaller tips for fur details

Technique: Wet-on-wet blending, layered glazing for golden glow

Every choice, from pigment to paper, helps capture that balance between structure and spontaneity — something unique to watercolor.

Why I Paint This Series

I’m endlessly inspired by wildlife and light — the way a moment of warmth can illuminate even the coldest landscape. This Arctic Mother and Cubs series is my celebration of tenderness, patience, and the quiet beauty of motherhood in nature.