Christmas decorations always pull me outside with my sketchbook. Lights, ornaments, music, and people moving around instantly create that special holiday energy I want to capture on paper. This time, I took my watercolor sketchbook with cotton paper, watercolors, acrylic markers, and a fountain pen. Mixing transparent watercolor washes with bold acrylic accents helped me work fast and keep sketches lively. Sketching Christmas scenes on location is not about perfection. It is about feeling the season and letting your hand follow the mood.
If you missed my latest post about capturing fall foliage you read it here.
My acrylic markers set here.
Ornamented Balls
One of the fountains was decorated with large ornamented balls, and I immediately knew this scene belonged in my sketchbook. The reflective surfaces and sparkling details looked complex, but I simplified them into color shapes first. I laid down loose watercolor washes to suggest water and reflections, then added acrylic marker highlights for shine and contrast. This approach kept the sketch fresh and spontaneous. Ornamented balls are perfect subjects for practicing reflections without overthinking details.
Candy Canes
These candy canes stood near another fountain, surrounded by shops and cafes full of people. The red and white stripes created a strong rhythm that guided my composition. I used watercolors to block in the background and pavement, then switched to acrylic markers to make the candy canes pop. Sketching busy public spaces like this teaches you to focus on main shapes and ignore distractions. The festive shopping atmosphere added extra energy to the sketch.
Christmas Tree
I could not miss this Christmas tree. It was huge, colorful, and full of life, with people ice skating nearby. I simplified the tree into a triangle filled with dots of color instead of drawing every ornament. Watercolor helped create the base and sky, while acrylic markers added definition and contrast. Including small figure gave scale and movement to the scene. This sketch captures not just a tree, but the joy and activity around it.
Carousel
I sketched the carousel while it was moving, and that decision shaped the entire drawing. I avoided details on the horses and animals on purpose, letting loose lines suggest motion. Quick watercolor washes established color, and acrylic markers emphasized the structure and lights. This type of sketching trains you to accept imperfection and trust gesture over precision. The result feels alive, playful, and very much part of the holiday rush.
Tree and Gifts
This smaller tree with gift decorations felt just as charming as the big displays. I focused on warm yellows and greens to keep the sketch cozy and simple. Watercolor created soft transitions, while acrylic markers defined ribbons and edges. Sometimes small scenes tell stronger stories than grand ones. This sketch reminds me that Christmas mood lives in details, not size.
Sketching Christmas decorations with acrylic markers and watercolors is one of the best ways to slow down and truly feel the holiday season. Cotton paper handles mixed media beautifully and allows you to layer without fear. If you want to try this approach, pack light and sketch fast, focusing on mood instead of accuracy. Holiday scenes disappear quickly, but your sketches keep the memory alive. Grab your sketchbook, step outside, and let Christmas inspire your lines and colors.
