Have you ever thought you'd like to try watercoloring on your cards? I will show you how to do watercolor using your ink pads and Water Painters - it's a simple technique that will give you stunning results. The key to making it simple is starting with an embossed outline image. Watch the Simple Watercoloring video and then give it a try!
Gather your supplies:
- Cardstock: Crumb Cake base; Basic Black 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"; Whisper White 3-3/4" x 5"; Granny Apple Green 1-1/2" x 5"; Watercolor paper 1-3/4" x 5" plus a scrap
- Ink: Memento Black, Versamark, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze and Cherry Cobbler
- Stamp/Die Bundle: Quite Curvy
- Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder
- Adhesive and Tools
Using your Stamparatus, stamp the leaf spray with black ink on watercolor paper, then clean off the stamp and ink again with Versamark ink. Apply clear embossing powder and use the heat tool to set. Repeat with the bird image. The embossed images will act as a barrier when you apply water, making it much easier to get a great watercolored element for your card.
Take your acrylic block and pick up some Granny Apple Green ink directly from the ink pad. Use your Water Painter to add some water to the block - just make a puddle on one portion of the ink. This can be used to apply a light wash over all of the leaves. You want to get the image wet so that when we apply more color, it will "move" with the water. Then add more green (both Granny Apple and Garden) to the leaves and you will get wonderful shading in the leaves. If the leaves get too wet, just add a bit more water. That's why it is imperative to use watercolor paper - it is meant to hold water and won't pill. Do the same process with the bird - I started with the Crumb Cake for the bird's head and breast, then did Cajun Craze for the back and tail feathers, darkening it up with Cherry Cobbler. You will find that you can get amazing color blending with watercoloring! And don't be afraid to leave some white space - it just adds interest to your images.
I like to allow my watercolor images to dry on their own, but if you just can't wait, use your heat tool on low setting to dry them. Cut out the images with the dies and now we are ready to assemble. Add the Granny Apple Green rectangle to the white panel. Place this in your Stamparatus and position (but don't adhere) the leaves. Then place your sentiment where you want it to fall just above the leaves. Because these are photopolymer stamps, you can bend them to just the perfect curve. Stamp the sentiment in black. Finish assembling the card by popping up the leaves and bird, then the entire panel onto the card base.
The more you practice, the easier watercoloring will become. You can have as watery a look as you want - here is a card where it doesn't look watery at all! I just took my time, adding layers and layers of color until I got the look I wanted. I'd like to hear how you like this technique! You can share your results on our group Facebook page.
Karen
ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com
Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card
https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net
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