The one product line I wanted to find at CHA this winter is one to watercolor with. The countdown has started with the shipment of our order --- it will be arriving on Wednesday, February 23. I can hardly wait!
You may be wondering why I would want yet another product to color with when I already use and am passionate about the Copic markers. Well... it is because I am fascinated by multi-media. I like to learn about a product and then explore every facet of that product. Once I learn to use it on its' own I like to learn how I can combine it with other products to see where it leads my creativity. I hope to share over the weeks and months to come, how Faber-Castell watercolors and Copic Markers can marry together in a beautiful way!
There are loads of watercolor products in the marketplace but I wanted to make certain that I selected something that would be user-friendly, quality, a good value and work together with the products we have already shared with you. Faber-Castell's Design Memory Craft line fit the bill perfectly. So with this product line comes a new opportunity to learn and I am SO very excited to be sharing my journey with you.
So let's start SIMPLE!
To begin I selected the Hero Arts Felt Finish Watercolor paper - LOVE this stuff! Dave's beautiful orchid was calling my name as well. I looked up red orchids on google and sure enough there actually are red orchids --- I was set.
When I purchased the line at CHA I was given a handful of Faber-Castell products as a sample, so all I had to create with were some reds. Thank you FB for such an awesome gift - this was just what I needed to start learning about the line and sharing information with you, our customers! I guess you will now see how far I can push myself with a limited supply list :-D
I began by stamping my image using Archival Olive and Library Green ink because it is waterproof. By inking the image first with the Library Green and then tapping the Olive on to the edge of one side I was able to achieve a color that I felt would work well for this image.
The beauty of watercolor products are that you don't need to color perfectly, AND you don't necessarily always want to stay within the lines. I began by using the Aquarelle pencil and added my first layer of orangey-red.
Layer two --- Gelatos. These little sticks remind me of lip gloss - LOL! OK, so I didn't use it on my face but rather rubbed some on my non-stick craft sheet. Now, if I had more colors I could make myself a cute little paint palette on my craft sheet and mix my own colors! I can hardly wait - :-D
Using my fine tipped waterbrush (this brand has always been my favorite) I picked up some of my gelato and adding to my orchid blooms.
To intensify the color I picked up my Aquarelle again and began to add definition to the bloom.
I wanted more intensity and so I used just the edge of the Gelato to add a hint more red.
I continued to work the added color into my bloom with my waterbrush.
Once satisfied I allowed the image to dry and then added some orange pastel.
Yet, a little more red ;-D
Then a hint of sparkle from my Spica Glitter Pen.
Now that I felt my blooms were complete I thought I would add to the overall feel by adding some watercolored edges. Just a quick smear of Gelato around the edges, a hint of Aquarelle to add depth and variety to the color and once again pooling water over this combination with my waterbrush and my image was complete.
We would love to hear from you - tell us if you are familiar with the Faber-Castell product line. Have you worked with these products? What would you like to learn? Share your thoughts with us today!
stamps: Memory Box Orchid Branch Print
ink: Archival Olive and Library Green
paper: Hero Arts Bright White Felt Finish Watercolor Paper, Memory Box 6x6 Brioche and Holly Berry Notecard
accessories: Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft watercolor products (arriving February 23!)
