Creating a Simple (and Sparkly) Watercolor Card

Watercolor markers are an easy and controlled way of adding soft color to projects.

Supplies You Will Need:
Peonies on Parade Stamp Set by Papertrey Ink
Whatnot Sentiments Four Stamp Set by Your Next Stamp
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Versamark Watermark Ink
MISTI Stamping Tool
White Embossing Powder by Ranger
Heat Gun
Watercolour Cardstock by Spectrum Noir
Acrylic Block
3D Foam Squares by Therm O Web
Clear Sparkle Marker by Spectrum Noir
Spectrum Aqua Markers by Spectrum Noir (Colors used: Yellow, Blossom, Peach, Orchid, Bud Green and Aquamarine)
Waterbrush (or water and painbrush)
Black Pearl Shimmering Cardstock by Crafter’s Companion
Sticky/Post It Notes

Before we stamp onto a piece of watercolor cardstock (trimmed to 5.25 x 4), we need to create a mask.  This will allow us to stamp additional images onto the card to look like they are behind another image.  Stamp the main flower image onto a sticky note (Post It).  Trim it out with sharp scissors, right to the edges (do not leave any space, as a die cut would).

Stamp that same image onto a piece of watercolor cardstock using VersaMark (watermark) ink.  A MISTI stamping tool was used, but it is not necessary; an acrylic block can be used to stamp instead.

Cover with white embossing powder.  Tap off excess and use a heat gun to activate the powder.  This will create a resist that will hold the watercolor.

Place the mask down onto the stamped image and stamp the other flowers, also using VersaMark ink.  Heat emboss these in white powder, too.

Stamp the sentiment in VersaFine Onyx Black Ink in the upper right corner.  Begin to watercolor with Spectrum Aqua Markers.  To start, scribble a light color (pink used) onto an acrylic block and pick up the color with a waterbrush (or a paintbrush with water).  Gently add the light pink color to the entire image.  Before it dries, add more color to the areas that will be the shadows or darker petals.

Keep adding color using the waterbrush.  To add vibrant color, use the marker directly on the image.  Then blend it with a waterbrush.  By adding layers and layers of color, that desired watercolored look will be achieved!

To highlight the stamped images and add a background to soften the harshness of all of the white, scribble some aquamarine or blue onto a block.

Gently pick up color and add it along the outlines of the stamped images.  That white embossing powder will resist the color and the image will really pop.  Add some yellow in the middle of the main flower to finish off the coloring.

Once the watercolor is dry, use a clear Sparkle Marker to add some shimmer! Color over all of the flowers, not the leaves.  This will add a nice sheen to the petals.

Finish the card by creating a card base out of black shimmering cardstock.  Cut it to 5.5 x 8.5 and score at 4.25 inches.  Adhere the watercolored panel to the front of the card using 3F foam squares.

Watercoloring with markers is a simple way to achieve the coveted watercolored effect! And by adding a little bit of sparkle, your creation will really shine!

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Chrissie Tobas

I work full-time as Graphic Designer/Pre-Press Operator at a small print company. I have been involved in some aspect of art my entire life. From oil paints and watercolors as a child, to paper crafting and digital art as an adult, rarely a day has gone by in my world that doesn’t include art. I am an Alumnus of a national Art School, where I graduated with Honors and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communications. I started papercrafting shortly after graduating High School, but I ended up just hoarding supplies and not completing any projects. But, a few years ago, my love of papercrafting was rekindled when I was invited to scrapbook at a friend’s house. I have been obsessed ever since!!!

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