(click on the pics to enbiggan)
The watercolor trend is one I am utterly nuts for and so glad to see it surging in popularity once again with not only card-making but scrapbooking as well! It is such a beautiful look and as stampers we are lucky to have so many options available to us for applying it to our projects!
While I'm not covering ALL the watercolor options out there, I wanted to share some methods and materials I've been having fun playing with and the results I've gotten. One thing I would urge anyone to do, is to experiment and play with the different methods/materials--watercolor can be a little unpredictable, which is partly why it is so lovely, so it helps to spend some time just exploring different ways of watercoloring and learning how to get the look you want. With the exception of a relative few things, there is no right or wrong. :)
TIPS:
If you plan to stamp an image and color it in, be sure to use a permanent, bleed-proof ink like Staz-On, Archival, or India Ink. This will keep the image lines from bleeding/mixing into the colors you are painting with. Although I used black for this article, some of these inks come in a range of colors so you are not limited to black only.
For optimal results, use water-based coloring tools or mediums that are water-soluble, such as:
- Water-based brush markers (i.e. Distress)
- Dye ink pads or Reinkers/Refills (i.e. Distress and Adirondack)
- Watercolor pencils
- Water-based color mists/sprays (i.e. Dylusions)
- Gelatos (Gelatos are a creamy water-soluble pigment, housed inside a chap-stick style tube and can be used on a variety of services; available in various sets and in individual colors, known as "Double Scoops". Pictured above is the Designing with Gelatos Starter Kit)
And while you can watercolor on a variety of papers, results will vary greatly so I recommend using bonafide watercolor paper for the best results; it is designed to handle water whereas other papers tend to pill/deteriorate*.
One thing I like to do is cut a sheet of watercolor paper into smaller pieces, like eighths. This way I don't feel like I'm wasting any of it with my little experiments and practice runs. :)
*Once you've gotten comfortable with your watercolor method, you might wish to try several other papers, which I have found can work for watercolor; it does take a little practice to recognize how dry/wet to keep your brush to avoid over-working the paper. I love using Smooth Bristol and Bazzill Marshmallow or Butter Mints for stamping single-layer watercolor cards because they have a smooth surface that allows for very crisp, even impressions.
Other tools:
- Ink/Paint palette/tray
- Paint brushes
- Waterbrushes (optional; I love using my waterbrush, but others may be more comfortable with regular brushes and a jar of water)
- Water mister (I really like the misters by Ranger because they pump out a very nice fine mist)
- Optional, but not pictured: Non-stick craft sheet, larger sized acrylic block
In lieu of step-outs, I have a two-part video for you that demonstrates some fun techniques for the aforementioned supplies. Grab a cuppa and get comfy. ;)
Once you hit the "play" button, you can click the 720p setting for HD quality
Stamp credit: Better Place (Hero Arts); Archival Black Ink, Gelatos, Watercolor Paper, Wood Veneer Stars, White Enamel Accents, Highline 6x6 Paper Pad
Once you hit the "play" button, you can click the 720p setting for HD quality
Stamp Credits: Bird, Thanks For Caring (Hero Arts); Denim Adirondack Dye Ink; Mini Clothespin, Smooth Bristol, Tinseltown Glitter Sheets, Navy Shape n' Tape
Stamp Credits: Bird, Thanks For Caring (Hero Arts); Staz-On Ink, Watercolor pencils, Gelatos, Water-based brush markers (i.e. Distress), Distress and Adirondack Dye ink pads, Highline 6x6 Paper Pad
Even though I tend to be a control freak--and you can have quite a bit of control with it, depending on the methods you use--one of the things I personally adore most about watercolor is how loose and free it is--I like to slop the color around, to allow color to flow outside the lines, to pool, and intensify in some areas, and be very translucent in others and even get "splotchy".
I hope my play-time with watercolor encourages you to explore and enjoy it, too!
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SUPPLIES & MATERIALS: (Note - Although listed in sets here, Ink Pads and Gelatos are also available individually)
