I like Stampin' Write markers for several reasons - I like to sign my cards with matching ink colors to the card design, they make inking a stamp in multiple colors easy to do, and my new favorite - you can use them to watercolor!!! I've done watercoloring for many years (started back in high school) and I just learned that you can use them in this manner! You'll need some permanent ink for the image, watercolor paper (this is essential for watercoloring success) and water based markers (no Stampin' Blends!) in addition to your markers. As you can see in my video, this technique is simple, neat and great for beginners!
Gather your supplies:
- Cardstock: Basic Black 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 4" x 4-1/4"; Regals 6" x 6" DSP 4" x 5-1/4"; Pumpkin Pie 2" x 1-1/4"; and Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper 2-5/8" x 4-1/2"
- Stamp Set: Flowers of Friendship
- Ink: Stazon Jet Black
- Water Painters
- Stampin' Write Markers (Pumpkin Pie and Granny Apple Green from the Regals and Brights sets)
- Matte Black Dots
- Adhesive and Tools
When doing any coloring with water, you need to use a permanent ink to stamp your images - Stazon is permanent ink that will not bleed when you add water. Start by stamping the flower image onto the watercolor paper. Before I start my watercoloring process, I like to test how well the markers blend. To do this, use a scrap of the watercolor paper and draw a patch with the bold tip end of the marker. Use the water painter to test how well this splotch of color blends. You don't want a color that leaves harsh lines or will not react easily with the water. I did find that a few colors didn't blend as well as I would like.
Now you are ready to start coloring the flowers. I keep an old towel handy to catch any drips and a cup of clean water for dipping. I know the water painters have a supply of water in the barrel, but I prefer to dip because I can control the amount of moisture better this way (and it's faster rinsing when I change colors). Using the brush tip of the Pumpkin Pie marker, add some color to one of the flowers - I like to add color where I want it to be darkest. Then blend out this color to finish filling in the petals. It's ok to have some small areas of white - that is common in water coloring.
Continue coloring in the rest of the flower petals and then rinse the water painter. Repeat the process with the leaves and the Granny Apple Green marker. Set this panel aside to dry completely. If this was an image with a lot of coloring, you could use your heat tool on the low setting to help it dry.
Assemble the rest of the card, starting by folding and burnishing the card base. Add the DSP panel to the front and the white panel to the inside. Stamp the sentiment onto the scrap of Pumpkin Pie and trim the width if needed. Add the watercolor piece to the upper left corner with Dimensionals. Add the sentiment, placing a Dimensional under the right side only. Finish the card by adding two Matte Black Dots to the lower right corner.
This card was done with Mango Melody - which one is your favorite?
My next card features the Otter that was part of our recent Sale-a-bration. I stamped and colored him with my markers. Then I fussy cut right along the black lines, ignoring all the little bits of hair that extended out from the image. Normally, I leave a little gap around the outside, but not this time. I stamped the same otter image onto the blue paper and when I adhered the otter on top, he had all his hairy pieces surrounding him again!
Look at this adorable robot! I love how the watercolor technique makes his metal look more realistic! He is from the Nuts & Bolts stamp set. The girl with the book comes from In the Moment, a set with three fantastic images that are perfect for watercoloring. The rest of the examples are florals, such a natural choice for this technique. I love how easy it is to get shading with the markers. After your image is dry, you can go back and add more color. Or you can add more water to remove color! Play around with this and see what you come up with!
The last card was made for a color challenge I participated in - Fresh Freesia, Rich Razzleberry and Pear Pizzazz. I forgot to show it in the video, but I thought I'd show it here.
I hope you give this a try! It's really so very easy and turns you into an artist and your card into something that will wow the recipient!
Karen
ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com
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Product List 
Stampin Write Markers - Brights Collection
[119702]
$28.95
Stampin Write Markers - Regals Collection
[119701]
$28.95
