Easy Watercolor Techniques

Combine watercolor techniques with a few of my latest favorite stamp sets, for tons of fun! Today’s projects feature the Touches of Texture and Wetlands stamp sets.

This is the kind of technique that simply requires, lots of play and an appreciation for going with the flow and celebrating each unique result! The watercolor techniques mini tutorial here gives you the basics and then later in this post I’ll point out some of the finer details.

Combine watercolor techniques with a few of my latest favorite stamp sets, for tons of fun! Today's projects feature the Touches of Texture and Wetlands stamp sets.

The two focal pieces below use watercolor techniques, with two variations on the approach. They came out so different but I love them both!

For the top one,

I used ink pads stamped directly onto the acrylic block. There was a lot of ink, so the colors are rich. I also used a little less water than on some of the others making it less blended, and giving it a harder edge.

For the bottom one,

I used three markers to color randomly on the acrylic block. With the relatively small tip of the markers, you simply don’t get as much ink on the block. So, when the ink mixes with the water it typically produces a lighter color palette. In this sample, the Garden Green pooled toward the bottom creating a “ground” of sorts.

Combine watercolor techniques with a few of my latest favorite stamp sets, for tons of fun! Today's projects feature the Touches of Texture and Wetlands stamp sets.

Below is another sample where I used the markers.

The colors are so soft and sweet with the delicate images of the Wetlands Stamp Set.

Combine watercolor techniques with a few of my latest favorite stamp sets, for tons of fun! Today's projects feature the Touches of Texture and Wetlands stamp sets.

For the close up below I used the ink pads.

With less water and more ink, you get an interesting texture on the paper with some areas blended and some not.

Combine watercolor techniques with a few of my latest favorite stamp sets, for tons of fun! Today's projects feature the Touches of Texture and Wetlands stamp sets.

This final close up was done with markers and is just gorgeous to me! Which is your favorite? Leave a comment to let me know.

Combine watercolor techniques with a few of my latest favorite stamp sets, for tons of fun! Today's projects feature the Touches of Texture and Wetlands stamp sets.

So the interesting part about this technique is that no matter what you do, you will get a different result each time! That’s just part of the fun of it.

Having said that, the two key variables to keep in mind are the amount of ink and the amount of water.

  1. Amount of ink – A little easier to control
  2. Amount of water – A little harder to control… Here are some variables to keep in mind:
  • Each spray bottle may be a little different. I used the spray bottle shown in the photograph above but you could also use a Stampin’ Sprizter as shown in the supply list.
  • How hard and fast you press, when spraying, may affect how much water comes out,
  • The distance your spray bottle is from the paper will affect how much water gets on your acrylic block. I sprayed at about 12″ away.

You can only control these variables so much. So don’t fret, just try it, if you wish, and prepare to experiment and play, play, play!

There is so much potential when you think about combining different colors too! Oh my… it makes me want to play with it some more!

You’ll find a complete supply list and project dimensions just ahead! I hope you’ll give this a try! It’s so much fun!


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Project Dimensions:

Card Body in Black 4-1/4″ x 11″
Garden Green Layer 4″ x 5-1/4″
Black Focal Backing 3-9/16″ x 4-1/16″
Marina Mist Layer 3-3/8″ x 3-7/8″
Watercolor Paper Focal Piece 3-1/8″ x 3-5/8″
3/8″ Dapper Denim Ruched Ribbon 5-1/4″
Whisper White Inside Piece 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″


Product List:


 
About Me Page

I am a seeker of that crazy, excited feeling that comes when you've created something that’s unique, beautiful and expresses who you are in some small way. It’s like making a new discovery, when you find a unique combination of color, layout, dimension and texture. I call it a creative spark and it makes me giddy! Through sharing and teaching I hope to help others find this amazing feeling of creative bliss!

Comments

  1. Linda Ward says

    I saw a card on pinterest that I think you did with springtime foils using polished stone technique…..love the card but would like details on colors used and any hints about using that dsp instead of the normal glossy….wonder if there are different steps to do it…..I/m in a group in Sun city center, FL and am going to show our group how to do the polished stone technique since many of them have never seen it and it is pretty easy, though messy. I appreciate any advice and info you can give me…thanks much. Linda manycrafts@aol.com

    • Melissa Kerman says

      I’ve been traveling and then came home sick. I’ve finally recuperated and getting back to work. If you can share a link to the pin, or a photo of the project, that you want details on, I’d be happy to help. As for differences between the springtime foils paper and glossy cardstock there really isn’t much that’s different. The only thing to keep in mind is that the embossed images will resist the ink you apply and you may need to wipe it off the surface of those image. I’ll look forward to hearing back.

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