(As Julie would say - click on the pictures to enbiggan)
With the increasing interest in watercolor I wanted to share three different methods of using our Art Magnetic Masking Material to achieve fabulous watercolor looks! The beauty of this material is that you can use it to create masks and stencils, as well as run it through your die cutting machine to deboss or emboss.
STENCILED WATERCOLOR
To create this first look I used the Art Magnetic Masking Material (AMMM) as a stencil.
Begin by die cutting the AMMM using all four shapes included in the Remember set. Cut each piece using a separate piece of AMMM so that you have four different stencils. Complicated shapes will not cut this material, but simple shapes like we are using today cut easily.
Place a piece of Bristol atop the Craft Assistant and then place your magnetic stencil on the top. You can use some stronger magnets to secure the magnet so that the fit is even tighter. Spritz with water until the water pools slightly within the stencil boundaries.
There are several ways of adding color - simply remove the stencil and then using the tip of a waterbrush dip into your watercolor medium (you will find a photo below of the color palette I created using a combination of Distress Ink and Adirondack Dye Inks) and allow the colored tip to flow into the pool of water the spritzing created.
Be certain to allow the color to dry before adding the next stencil. Being the impatient crafter that I am I use the Ranger heat tool to help dry the color more quickly. The soft air flow does not disturb the water pools if used carefully.
TIP: If your paper curls the easiest method of straightening it back out is to run it back and forth, flipping and turning, over the edge of your table edge. Using a flat piece of Bristol makes it easier to keep the color where you want it.
The second method is to add the color while the stencil is still in place. If you find that you have added too much water or you would like to alter the color, use the tip of a paper towel to soak up as much water/color as desired.
I also discovered that it made sense to cover the open areas with paper towel before spritzing the open stencils with water to avoid rewetting the dry images.
The end result is a beautiful backdrop on which to stamp the detail images in the coordinating stamp set!
Mask the poppy flowers and ink the stem. I opted to use Faber Castell Big Brush Pens because I wanted add detail to the leaves and stem. As well the ink in Big Brush Pens is permanent and water will not change its placement. Add a few additional details to the leaves and stems using a Black Copic .03 Multiliner.
Stamp the poppy flower heads in waterproof Archival Jet Black ink. Once dry add the sentiment and emboss with clear embossing powder - this will help make the sentiment pop. Add colored droplets to the background by tapping your color filled waterbrush, flicking the droplets on to your Bristol surface.
Mount behind a diecut window to complete.
DEBOSSED ALLOVER WATERCOLOR
This design features and all-over pattern with debossed floral images.
Begin by rubbing Spun Sugar Distress Ink on a Non-Stick Craft Sheet and spritz with water. Spritz the Bristol as well and then place it face down picking up the soft pink ink. Dry and repeat until you end up with a soft pink background to your liking. Once again dry and reduce curling by running your Bristol over the edge of the table.
Random design is not always easy - using some of my cut out magnetic masks I laid out my design on a piece of typing paper. (Click on the picture to enlarge) It is always best to use odd numbers when creating - begin with the largest design and then begin filling in with the remaining shapes. I also envisioned some freeform flower shapes and left open space to simply add the flower centers later.
In photo #2 You will see how I removed the AMMM and stamped the image in it's place. This helped me to begin formulating which colors I would end up using for each flower.
Photo #3 shows my completed guide.
To create the color palette swipe ink from each ink pad on to the Non-Stick Craft Sheet. Use a waterbrush to pick up the colors, combining them as you go.
Place your guide next to the image you will be watercoloring. Begin by placing a pool of water on the Bristol. Add color from the palette to the pool of water. Work your way around your Bristol surface making certain you work with each pool of water independently.
Once again if you place too much water or color on your surface use the corner of a paper towel to wick up the excess.
Be certain to allow each pool of color to dry before placing an adjacent pool. This will help you create independent pools of color that are more striking.
Work your way around the entire surface, freehand painting foliage. Fill remaining spaces with additional color as shown.
Position the flower shaped AMMM die cuts atop your image using the following sandwich:
- Sizzix Multipurpose Platform (all layers)
- Sizzix Cutting Pad
- Julie's Bristol
- Art Magnetic Masking Material Floral Die Cuts (you can adhere two of the same shape together to create a deeper embossed image)
- Metal Adaptor Plate
- Sizzing Cutting Pad
Run through your die cut machine. The pressure from the machine will deboss the design in your watercolor paper. Please note that the pressure from the machine does thin the magnet thickness so the results are best on the first try.
This will create fabulous debossed images! Be selective for best results - sometimes less is more ;)
Stamp the floral images using a combination of inks. I used waterproof Archival Jet Black ink for the three focal images. The remaining images were stamped using Adirondack Watermelon Dye Ink, Distress Ripe Persimmon and Worn Lipstick.
Once you have completed stamping all images, use a waterbrush to add additional color from your color palette, as well as soften the lines of the stamped images. Simply add a little water to each line to defuse the intensity of the lines.
Click on the photos to enlarge them and note the detail of the debossed image in the photo on the right.
DEBOSSED LETTERPRESS WITH INSETS
This last image turned out to be my favorite - I love the clean lines of this watercolored piece!
Begin by creating pools of color on Bristol. Allow the pools to dry and then spray with Hero Arts Gold Shimmer Spray (this color is AMAZING - it reminds me of Delicata Gold ink in a spray format!) Allow to dry. Cut out the four shapes.
Stamp the lined details on each of the four pieces and add depth with the watercolor brush and additional ink from the color palette above.
It is important to use Letterpress paper for this layer. Use pieces of die cut Art Magnetic Masking Material. Cut and tape the pieces together to form a single layer. Position using the following sandwich:
- Sizzix Multipurpose Platform (all layers)
- Sizzix Cutting Pad
- Letterpress paper
- Art Magnetic Masking Material Floral Die Cuts (taped together with Washi Tape)
- Metal Adaptor Plate
- Sizzing Cutting Pad
Run through die cut machine.
How fabulous is this debossed image!! Insert the diecut images into the debossed area, cutting steps to fit precisely.
Adhere diecut sentiment to the pristine smooth surface.
STORAGE
Art Magnetic Masking Material also works well for storing dies in the Avery Elle Storage pockets - add a stiff piece of Craft-a-board or Mat Board to keep the pocket stable.
