Watercolored Flowers

This weekend was yet another wet one that left us stuck indoors.  When I asked my 2 year old son what we should do to pass the time he said "Color!".  So while he colored garbage trucks and tractors I decided to practise my watercoloring techniques.  If you haven't tried this technique before, give it a try; the results can be stunning with a little practise.

There are a couple of key tools that are needed to make your project a success:

• If your using a stamped image, always use Staz-on ink to prevent smearing when you apply your color
• Always use watercolor paper; it ensures your colors blend beautifully together
• A blender pen or aquapainter

I use one of two techniques when I watercolor; either with a blender pen and ink pad (used in my first example) OR Write markers in a few different shades of the same color family (used in my second example).  Let's get started!

Ink Pad and Blender pen Method - great for beginners

While your ink pad is closed give the lid a gentle squeeze.  Doing this will transfer a little pool of ink into the lid.  You can now pick up the ink with the tip of your blender pen and begin watercoloring! 

Supplies:

Stamp set: Word Play

Cardstock: Watercolor paper, Basic Gray, Primrose Petals

Ink: Basic Gray, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple

Accessories: Manhattan flower embossing folder, blender pen, metallic brads, sponges, snail adhesive

Marker only Method - slightly more advanced method
Begin by adding your darkest color first where your shadows might fall.  Next, using a shade lighter, begin applying the ink using a circular motion, picking up some of the darker color and blending outward.  A light hand is key when using this method.  If you apply too much ink your image will just appear colored and lack the soft watercolored look your aiming for.

Supplies:

Stamp set: none

Cardstock: Watercolor paper, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder

Ink: Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral

Write Markers: Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Calypso Coral, Gumball Green

Accessories: Flower Garden embossing folder, Perfect polka dots embossing folder, Everyday Enchantment brads, snail adhesive

Thanks so much for looking!