Thursday, May 9, 2019

How to Be Brave and Use Watercolor on Handmade Cards

Hello friends! Are you afraid of watercolor? It's okay to admit it. I know, I know - it's just a little water and a little color, but for some of us crafters it can be a pretty scary thing. It feels so easy to "mess up" and it all bleeds and blends and doesn't stay where it's "supposed to". 

I think either you're the kind of crafter who throws caution to the wind, and you get elbow deep in paint, gesso, decoupage and who knows what else. OR you're the kind of crafter who just cringed at my previous sentence, and you don't like MESS. Guess what? Either is TOTALLY okay. BUT if you've been intimidated to try playing with watercolor pencils, or watercolor paints, I have something that you MAY just be brave enough to try. Take a breath, and stay with me. 

One of my favorite ways to use watercolor pencils, is with a stamped and heat-embossed image. You see, the heat-embossing takes away the SCARY. (Well, once you get over that REALLY HOT tool and the flecks of embossing powder. We'll tackle that problem another day.) It takes away the scary from the watercolor though, because it gives you a nice little embossed frame to keep the color in. It's almost like painting stained glass. The texture of the embossing helps the colors not to run together, and you're less likely to brush outside the lines. MAGIC I tell you. 

To create this card, I embossed my image with black embossing powder. Then I just started filling in color. I purposely blended my flowers with some yellows and oranges and allowed the wet spots to pull the color around. Once it was dry, this was a really simple card to assemble with that sweet encouraging sentiment. 
If you've been afraid to try watercolor on your handmade cards and paper crafts, find an image you love, emboss it, and THEN add some color. You might just find you love watercolor after all! 


Today's project is part of the latest challenge on the Impression Obsession blog.  The theme is Yellow and Blue. Head over to the Impression Obsession blog. You'll find links to the other designers' projects, as well as the challenge rules, and a place to link up YOUR challenge card. A lucky winner who participates will receive a $25 gift certificate to the IO store!

Thanks so much for coming by today!!! Have a beautiful day! (And don't be afraid of watercolor!) 


(This blog post contains compensated affiliate links. When you shop with my links, I may receive a small compensation. Thank you for considering shopping through my links!)

Card Supplies - Impression Obsession: Sierra Sunrise Stamp F19458 | Never Stop A17220


Looking for more inspiration with watercolor pencils?





4 comments:

stampingbowd said...

I saw your post on the IO fans FB page and had to stop by. Your watercolor is gorgeous! I forgot about this technique, thanks for sharing it. You did an amazing job! I love your writing too! :)

TLady said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! LOVE EVERYTHING you've shown us, Laura! Water Color Pencils give a lot of control too! ;) It is a VERY PRETTY SCENE & your sentiment goes SO WELL with it! I JUST got a TON of sentiments from I.O.! They have some GREAT ONES!!! CAN'T WAIT for them to arrive! AND I also LOVED seeing your other cards as well at the end! A SUPER JOB!!!!!!!!!!! ;) <3

StampinCarol said...

Gorgeous!

Verna Angerhofer said...

So very gorgeous and well colored with the water color pencils.