Watercolor for Non-Watercolorers + GIVEAWAY
Hi there, stampers. One thing I know for sure – I am not great with watercolor. I don’t know the “rules” and honesty don’t have a desire to learn them. 🙂 Instead, I like to find ways to use watercolor in a carefree, effortless way! And today I am sharing those ideas with you, along with lots of tips.
[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Multiple stores are also linked in the parentheses following the product name. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.]
Watercolor is a beautiful medium with the potential for amazing results. There is a lot to learn about them… and lots of resources! (See below.) But for me, I just like to PLAY… without learning longer techniques or “rules”. If you are like me – and want to play with watercolors without being a “watercolorer” – these ideas may be for you.
In the video, I used the new Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set (SSS | ALT). I will be honest – I was not planning on being in this hop (more on that below) because I didn’t think I needed to use a new watercolor. But I tried them… then emailed Altenew asking them to add me in the hop last minute. 🙂 That is how much I like this watercolor!
The Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set (SSS | ALT) is a set of 36 vibrant watercolor half-pans. They are smooth and easy to use. And the best part? The colors match the Altenew Ink Line (SSS | ALT)! This makes this cardmaker’s heart very happy. Be sure to watch the video to learn more about them.
My video also shares a few effortless watercolor techniques. All of my images were stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black Ink on Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper and clear heat embossed. I find the heat embossing acts as “walls” to control the water I add.
My first card shows what I call “tilted watercolor.” I painted in the embossed Altenew Perfectly Perfect (SSS | ALT) flowers with a heavy amount of water. I then touched a bit of Puffy Heart Altenew Watercolor (SSS | ALT) towards the center of the petals. I tilted the paper up about 45 degrees when it was still wet and let it dry in that position. This causes the bottom of the image to be vibrant in color… and the top tips much lighter. I did the same with the leaves using Forest Glades Altenew Watercolor (SSS | ALT).
For my background, I made an impression of the Altenew Leaf Frame Die (SSS | ALT) onto white cardstock using my die cut machine and a Spellbinders Embossing Mat. However, before making the impression, I lightly rubbed Puffy Heart Altenew Ink Pad (SSS | ALT) over the cutting edges. I love this soft look… and that the ink matches the watercolor perfectly.
The sentiment is from the Altenew Cross Stitch Flower Stamp Set (SSS | ALT).
My next card features the Altenew Happy Heart Stamp Set (SSS | ALT) and another simple watercolor technique. I painted in the heat embossed flowers with a generous amount of water. I then touched a bit of Puffy Heart Altenew Watercolor (SSS | ALT) towards the center of the flowers… and a bit at the tips. I let the water do the work for me… creating darker areas and soft highlights between. So. Very. Easy.
For a soft backdrop, I added a bit of pink ink over a Altenew Feeling Dotty Stencil (SSS | ALT) stencil. The sentiment is from the Altenew Starry Flowers Stamp Set (SSS | ALT)… and I added dots of Black Nuvo Drops at the center of the flowers.
You can also effortlessly use more than one color together. Here, I painted in my heat embossed Altenew Perfectly Perfect (SSS | ALT) flowers with water. I dropped a bit of Coral Berry Altenew Watercolor (SSS | ALT) towards the inside of the petals and a touch of yellow towards the outside. I let the water do the work as it dried… and the results are vibrant.
I stamped the Altenew Starry Flowers Stamp Set (SSS | ALT) sentiment with the matching ink colors… and added it to a panel cut with the Altenew Dotted Scales Debossing Die (SSS | ALT).
Here is another example of easily using two colors together. I painted in my heat embossed Altenew Starry Flower (SSS | ALT) with soft blue Altenew Watercolor (SSS | ALT). I then touched dark purple to the centers. So easy.
I stamped the sentiments with the matching Altenew Inks (SSS | ALT) and stamped a portion of the Altenew Pinstripe Stamp Set (SSS |ALT) along the side.
Here is a closer look at the results. Effortless!
I also like to use watercolor for carefree, non-realistic looks… such as my rainbow flower. 🙂 Just fill the image with a generous amount of painted water… then add in the colors. Easy!
Watercoloring images like this is a great way to experiment with the colors you have.
LEARN MORE
As I mentioned, I like to use watercolor in simple ways… just to play. If you want to learn more and improve your watercolor efforts, I recommend these:
- Online Card Classes Watercolor Classes
- Kristina Werner’s YouTube Channel
- Dawn Woleslagle’s YouTube Channel
BLOG HOP
Today I am part of the Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set Release Blog Hop. As I mentioned, I changed my mind to be a part of this hop after trying out these new products. I honestly love them! You can find them all HERE at Simon Says Stamp or HERE at Altenew.
The next stop on the hop is the blog of Svitlana Shayevich. You can always start at the beginning of the hop at the Altenew Blog.
PROMOTION
Limited time offer! Receive a FREE watercolor pan case (value $5.99) with the purchase of the Watercolor 36 Pan Set for a limited time. The free gift will be added to cart automatically.
GIVEAWAYS
How would you like to win a $30 gift certificate to Altenew? For your chance, leave a comment here by 11:59pmEST on 8/15/18 telling me if you enjoy to watercolor. (To leave a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post and click the green “leave a comment” button. The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)
Also, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to SIX lucky winners! Head to the Altenew Blog.
SUPPLIES
Want to find the products I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those with from Altenew or with an asterisk. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the icons below each product picture to go to a favorite store.
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