"Let It Snow!" Holiday Card Tutorial – The Postman’s Knock

Holiday card with white calligraphy and pine branches that says "Let It Snow!"

In this tutorial, we’ll create an elegant “Let It Snow!” holiday card using black cardstock, white ink, and a touch of artistic flair. It’s a relaxing project that results in a beautifully festive design. In order to make it, you’ll need the following supplies:

100 lb. (~270–300 GSM) black cardstock – affiliate link
Scissors
White mechanical pencil
Bleed Proof White ink
Pointed pen nib in the holder of your choice (I used a Brause Rose in an oblique pen) OR a Gelly Roll white pen – affiliate link
Size 3 (-ish) paintbrush – affiliate link

1. Prepare the Cardstock

Cut your cardstock to 10″ x 7″ (25.4 cm x 17.78 cm) to get started. You can measure and mark the dimensions with a ruler; or, for convenience, trace around an unfolded 5″ x 7″ greeting card that you already have on hand.

Cutting black cardstock to make a greeting card — If you have an old greeting card lying around, open it flat and trace its outline onto your black cardstock with a white pencil. Finish by cutting along the traced lines for a perfect card shape.

Next, fold the card in half.

A7 folded black card — For a super crisp crease, you can reinforce the fold with a bone folder.

Now, download the “Let It Snow!” PDF Design Guide, which was created to make the next two steps easier to follow. You can download it here and open it on your device to use as a reference. To use the guide for calligraphy practice, print it out on pointed pen-friendly paper such as 32# HP Premium laserjet (affiliate link).

Quick reference sheet for the "Let It Snow" Card

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

2. Write the “Let It Snow!” Calligraphy

Now, draw two wavy guidelines with your white pencil. Use those wavy guidelines to write “Let It Snow!” in bouncy, casual calligraphy.

Then, go over the pencil draft with your pointed pen and white ink. Alternatively, you can use the faux calligraphy technique and a white Gelly Roll pen.

White ink "Let It Snow!" calligraphy — I opted to use a Brause Rose nib to write this calligraphy because I knew it would produce thick, bold downstrokes.

3. Add Pine Branches

Next, use your white pencil to sketch the basic framework of several pine branches. For specific instructions and examples of branch placement, see the “Let It Snow!” Reference PDF.

Now, use your pointed pen and white ink (or a white gel pen) to trace over the branches and add pine needles. As a right-handed person, I prefer to start at the top left of the card, then move to the top right, followed by the bottom left, and finally the bottom right. This sequence helps to minimize smudging. Left-handed writers will likely find it helpful to work in the opposite order.

Drawing pine branches on a "Let It Snow!" Greeting Card — Exert minimal pressure as you draw the pine needles in order to achieve delicate, thin strokes.

Keep tracing over the pine branches with ink until all of them are complete. You’ll likely need to add a few extra branches and needles to create a lush, full appearance.

4. Paint Dots of Snow

Once the ink you used to make the pine boughs has dried, use a size 3 (-ish) brush to gently dot snow in random spots around the branches. Try to vary the pressure you’re using such that some dots are large and others are small. Avoid painting too close to the “Let It Snow!” calligraphy to help the greeting stand out.

Finishing off a "Let It Snow!" card with snow — Experiment with dot sizes to depict snow; larger dots will make the snow look closer, while smaller ones will create the effect of snow farther in the distance.

Once you’re finished painting the snow and all of your ink has dried, carefully use an eraser to rub away any pencil guidelines. Note that Bleed Proof White ink needs time to dry! If possible, leave it out overnight before running an eraser over it.

I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial, which produces a festive card without much of a fuss! Here are a few notes that will help to ensure your success:

When it comes to the snowflakes, less is more. Shoot for making no more than 100 snowflake dots. (While this may sound like a large quantity, it’s pretty conservative.)
If you’ve never worked with Bleed Proof White ink before, read How to Use Bleed Proof White Calligraphy Ink before attempting to write with it. It can be a bit fussy!
Making one of these cards will help you figure out the placement, so you probably won’t need a pencil draft for additional ones. As such, the design is ideal for creating multiple cards.

Thanks so much for supporting TPK by being a Premium member! If you need clarification or have any questions about this tutorial, I’m just an email away. Remember, there’s a treasure trove of holiday-related tutorials on the TPK Blog from years past, which you browse by clicking here. Happy holidays, and happy creating!

Warmly,

“Let It Snow!” Holiday Card Tutorial

1. Prepare the Cardstock

2. Write the “Let It Snow!” Calligraphy

3. Add Pine Branches

4. Paint Dots of Snow

Unlock Exclusive Perks with Premium Plus

Let The Postman’s Knock Spark Your Creativity