❄️ Painting Frosty Windows: Glazing & Salt Techniques

LaLa
Dec 16
2 min read

How to create icy textures and condensation effects in watercolor

Capture the magic of winter frost with two classic watercolor techniques: glazing and salt. These methods let you recreate misted windowpanes, snowflake patterns, and delicate ice textures perfect for cozy seasonal art.

🎨 What You’ll Need

Cold press watercolor paper (140 lb or heavier)
Watercolor paints (cool tones: cobalt blue, indigo, Payne’s grey)
Large soft brushes + round detail brush
Table salt or sea salt
Clean water & paper towels
Optional: masking tape and masking fluid

🧊 Technique 1: Glazing for Soft Frost + Condensation

Glazing involves layering translucent washes to build soft, glowing effects—perfect for misty, fogged-up glass.

Steps:

Start with a sketch (if you want to!)
Lightly wet the surface and apply a pale wash (try diluted cobalt blue).
Let dry completely.
Glaze with another thin wash—use horizontal or diagonal strokes to simulate frost streaks and add soft droplets or fog shapes (abstract or indicative of branches and other things outside the window) using a damp brush to lift pigment.
Repeat with subtle color shifts (e.g. hints of violet or grey) for depth.

Pro tip: Keep each layer very light and fully dry before continuing.

🧊 Technique 2: Salt for Ice Crystals & Frost Patterns

Salt disrupts pigment flow, mimicking the branching texture of real frost.

Steps:

Start with a sketch (if you want!)
Load the surface with a juicy wash of deep blue or grey. Add more pigment to sections of the window panes.
While still wet, sprinkle coarse salt over selected areas.
Let dry completely—don’t rush it!
Gently brush away salt to reveal sparkly ice-like textures.
Enhance with darker edges or pale highlights for contrast.

Try this: Combine both techniques—glazing first, then salt for texture.

❄️ Creative Uses

Holiday cards with frosty window frames
Cozy cabin scenes or steamy tea-in-the-window illustrations
Abstract winter textures and journaling pages
Backgrounds for winter animals or lettering

✨ Final Thoughts

Frosty windows are a perfect excuse to experiment with layering and texture in watercolor. These techniques embrace spontaneity—just like real ice patterns, no two will ever be the same. Whether you’re creating magical scenes or minimalist studies in blue, glazing and salt open the door to beautiful winter effects.