Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Content

Hi everyone, last year we launched the watercolour advent calendar where we painted a new festive icon each day with a little YouTube tutorial. It's back for 2022 and I would love you to have your say in what you see on the calendar! 

I am looking for 24 new illustrations to paint. Pictured is last year's calendar and whilst I will be repeating a few of these with a slightly different slant/style I would love you to comment below with some new illustrations that you would love to see featured. 

I loved including some international traditions last year so please do come forward with any ideas in the comments below. 

We work on this calendar in October so that Ant has time to edit the 24 video tutorials before the 1st December! It's a real labour of love but we had such a great response last time I'm excited to do it again. 

I will be designing a new grid which you will hear about first! But of course you can use the grid from last year too!

Files

Comments

Valentina

I would love to see a red amaryllis (to be honest I'd love to see a full tutorial on it!!) And perhaps a big roast with trimmings?

Jessica Schwarz

Here in Germany we have Advent wreaths that can be very elaborate and usually feature 4 candles. Every Advent Sunday one is lit. Maybe that could be one element? Parts of the nativity? Sheep, donkey, ox?

Emelie Karnevi

In Sweden, Lucia is one of the biggest events in December. You got baked goods, lights in the hair etc. Lussebulle or lussekatt is the name of the bun with saffron we make for it (and one of the best christmas treats). 😄 if you like a twist on gingerbread, we often pair it with blue cheese. Just a small chunk on top and eat together. 😉

Emelie Karnevi

We also got the four candles in Sweden but usually in rectangular holders decorated with white moss. Your wreaths sounds nicer! 😊

Emelie Karnevi

Lucia is Dec 13th. Forgot that detail 😊

Kate Tully

Candles is a great idea, maybe a yule log and christmas wreath

HEATHER DRAPER

Mince pies topped with brandy cream or rum butter are a family favourite?

Yvonne Causer

Looking forward to this Harriet! I feel very nostalgic about snow at Christmas. Perhaps a snowflake tutorial? Thanks.

Marion Knell

Jolabokaflod is an Icelandic tradition of giving and receiving books on Christmas Eve. A tradition we’ve adopted in our house. A stack of wrapped books with a candle. A Christmas letter to Santa A nutcracker and a ballet shoe

Marion Knell

I’m looking forward to joining this year whatever illustrations you chose

Priscilla Basilio

Ooooh I’d love to see panettone! And maybe just a wreath by itself.

Jessica Donohue

I would love to see a Christmas Llama! I would also love to see more traditions from around the world, maybe ones that aren't as well known? Thank you!!!

Tammie

Thanks for offering a new calendar series. I enjoyed painting with you each day last year. In addition to paintings the images on the grid I painted each image on a card front. It is a set of hand-painted Christmas cards I wish send this year.

de Winton Paper co.

Oh wow I’ll have to look into that. Would be fun to have it on the 13th day

Tammie

In the southwest United States, the holidays bring a blend of cultures. Luminaries, tamales and posole , and red chile ristras are part of the celebrations.

Jessica Donohue

I have no idea where it started but if you Google Christmas llama, there they are!!

Valentina

If you decide to go ahead with the amaryllis could you paint it on the 4th? It's my wedding anniversary and my bouquet was made of amaryllis 😁

Debbie V

I would love a nativity silhouette or an advent wreath with the candles.

Kerri Fair

String of colored tree lights, polar bear cub, hot chocolate with candy cane in it, penguin, Christmas apron and oven mit, those are a few my daughter and I thought up on our walk this morning! I started watercolor right after Christmas so I’m looking forward to participating this year!

Beate Spindler

How great. That will be a wonderful December again :-) - thank you so much.

Ana Elizabeth Ruiz

I would like to paint a pinata( piñata in Spanish), that’s a tradition in my country , Mexico. Thanks.

Beate Spindler

I am from Germany and thinking about Christmas these things came to my mind - besides the already mentioned advent wreath with its 4 candles: a Nutcracker figure, Christmas crackers to open (maybe with a paper crown e. g. - in Germany a New years eve tradition), a poor still living goose - or a poor one on a silver plate, the french buche de Noel, snow flakes (at a window), a chain of lights, a boot filled with chocolates on the 6th, a chocolate Santa. And I personally would love an animal with a red hat (guinea pig or penguin or something else cute). I am looking forward to all the international ideas and thanks again for this huuuuge advent present!!!

Sarah Bradfield

Christmas cracker , mistletoe, Swedish ginger biscuits, Father Christmas, sack of toys, sledge, choirboy, Christmas trifle, champagne, roast Turkey, nativity scene, Christmas wreath, advent candle, snow at a door way, Robin, snowman, carol singers church

Louise

I loved this last year! Possibilities - wreath, luminária, carolers, wassail bowl, Angel.

Gail Reck

A Swedish Dala horse.

Sophie

Stary night

Lori

Hello Harriet, thank you for last year’s advent. It was loads of fun! How about silver bells, Christmas Scottish dog with some tartan, polar bear, the Mouse King, cozy hot chocolate, wreath. Thank you!

SuperBonnie1969

I plan to send it to my grand daughter as an early Christmas gift

Susan C Terris

Two Turtle Doves (from the song, On the ..... day of Christmas) ...

Susan C Terris

What kind of pinata would be typical for the holiday, just curious?

Susan C Terris

I love your Icelandic tradition of giving books for Christmas eve, and wrapped in a candle!!

Jana

Wow everyone has such great ideas! I'm thinking more wintery things like mittens, a sled, winter hat; sleigh, "ugly" christmas sweater; rope of lights; Christmas pickle :)

Alice Stalzer-Schöggl

Ooohhhh a Nutcracker Tutorial 🩰 a sleigh, a green wreath, candles, some snowflakes, hot chocolate with marshmallows, tartan … maybe a victorian / romantic fireplace 🎨🖌🥰

Heidi Calder

I am SO HAPPY you are doing this again!! I looked forward to it every morning! Some thoughts: Christmas sweater, Santa, Snowflakes, string of colorful lights, nutcracker, red vintage truck with a christmas tree in the back, christmas wreath, cup of hot coca with a candy cane, another snow globe with a new scene. Thank you Harriet! You are by far my favorite watercolor artist. :-)

Louise Thompson

What a great idea. Some ideas maybe a cracker, mistletoe, a sleigh, mince pies or a fireplace with cards.

Rachel Berry Gallahair

A penguin, a pair of mittens, wreath, a candle w some greenery or window with a candle

Juli St

Some things that come to mind are items from the "12 Days of Christmas: partridge, pear tree, swan, goose, French hens, turtle dove. As many botanicals as possible. I love the Amaryllis idea, Christmas wreath, mistletoe, poinsettia, ivy with berries, another Christmas tree. A Christmas angel.

Missy Smith

I love the 12 days of Christmas idea! You could do all 12 items from the song on a collage type painting. That would be super fun. Maybe a watercolor challenge!😉 For the advent calendar a Cardinal, mittens, wassil, Deer with a Christmas wreath. You could also do more of the classic Christmas items differently like stockings, tree, ornaments, etc. I was so excited that you decided to do the advent calendar again. That was definitely one of the funnest watercolor projects ever! Thank you for sharing you talent and knowledge with all of us.

Cheryl Gibbs

OK, here I go! *A male cardinal (bright red) sitting on a snow covered branch with red berries. *A ceramic Christmas mug full of cocoa topped with whipped cream and a candy cane stir stick. *Leather sleigh bell strap with 4 brass bells. *Red and white striped woolen scarf and mittens. *Santa's boots covered with snow. *Santa's sleigh filled with brightly wrapped gifts. *A silhouette of Santa and his sleigh flying in front of a big yellow full moon. *A toy train (maybe under the Christmas tree). *Santa's view from his sleigh looking down on a sleepy dimly lit small town. *Snow flakes against a dark blue night Winter sky. *Snow covered pine tree(s). *A whimsical penguin wearing a Santa hat and a red scar. *A buck (deer) standing in the snow. Have I gone on long enough? Hahaha! Thanks for listening. I'm so looking forward to painting this year's Advent Calendar!! Thanks H&A!

Emelie Karnevi

We got those all year round 🇸🇪🥰

Valerie Welland

Fun idea! Lets see... Cardinal, holly sprigs, snowman, gingerbread man, cookie plate with cookies and milk, sleigh, gnomes with santa hats, winter scene, bells, snowglobe, penguin, calendar with Dec 25th highlighted. Thanks for asking for our input!

Becky Miller

Gnomes...nativity scene....candle 😊can't wait!

ann.starbuck

mittens, hot cocoa, pine cones, christmas card + envelope, mistletoe, peppermints, ornaments, boots, sweaters, fox, winter rabbit, berry branches, moose, bear

Anne

In the Philippines, “parols” (star-shaped lanterns) are hung everywhere during the holidays. The ones made of capiz are especially pretty ⭐️

Alison Gammon

A crib would be nice please, and perhaps an open fireplace with a cosy fire! A church at night in the snow, with the windows glowing might make a good watercolour challenge or video tutorial. Thank you - last year's calendar was great, looking forward to the next one!

Kim McLagan

I really enjoyed this project last year. Maybe Santa’s sleigh for this year?

Megan (Megabyte)

My sister in law is filipina, so every year I make her a "parol", which is a transparent star handing made from bamboo & tissue paper, it might lend itself well to watercolour

Megan (Megabyte)

Also I am pagan (I am Celtic, and my husband is Norsk Asatru), so in the northern hemisphere my tribe would be celebrating Yule, so Yule Logs "The Green Man" (old man with oak leaves on his face), mistletoe, etc. Here in Australia it will be Litha, or Midsummer/Summer Solstice for me, so we have symbols of the Sun, Bonfires, Bright cheery fruit and things of that nature.

Karen

In Spain the three kings come!

Camille52

What is A4 paper? Can it be put into a printer or do I need to hand copy and paint the borders before we start?