Watercolour Technique by Anne Frazer

I always work with lightest to darkest colours, using the lighter colours for the background. If you go too dark, the stamped image will be harder to see.

I dry over the stencil first and then lift and dry underneath. This keeps the paint from underneath from collecting and looking muddy.

Don’t worry if the stencil image is not totally clear. It is not going to be. If you want more definition around certain areas of the stencil, using an Aqua brush or a damp paintbrush, pick up colour and add to areas to accent or define.

You can also use a clean wet brush to help blend colours into each other and remove paint lines.

It is very important to dry layers before adding the next layer. If you don’t have a heat tool, a hairdryer works well. If you use an embossing gun, don’t get too close to the paper as it might scorch.

Some watercolours will leave a slight film over the black ink of your image. I take a very fine-tipped marker and will go over larger areas.

The Products I used…

Watercolour paper

Stencil or stencils

Light tack masking tape

Aqua pen or paintbrush

Watercolour paints

Stamps – Lavinia

Permanent or Pigment Ink.

Water spray bottle

Flat surface for mounting paper

Heat Tool

The Steps in creating the card
(click on the first image to view as a slideshow)

Cut watercolour paper to size. Using masking tape, tape off a small border around the card onto a flat surface. This will give the card a nice border. You can trim off if you don’t want the broader in the final piece. I tape the paper down to keep it from buckling. For my surface, I repurposed an old clipboard. This also lets me rotate the piece easily as I am adding colours.

: The stamps and stencils used

: The craft room items used.

: Using masking tape, lay stencil over card surface and tape down one side to the clipboard. This will allow you to lift up between applications of paint.

: Start applying paint over stencil. You will want to choose a color that is just slightly darker than your background color. Make sure that your brush is wet but not dripping. Paint should be applied lightly to random areas of the stencil. Dry completely.

: Next layer is done by applying the same color over the same areas to give darker appearance and to bring in other areas of the stencil.

: You will do this until you achieve the look you want. Dry completely between each layer.

: You can also a darker shade of the color you are using or a different coordinating colour.

: I add these in small amounts to give more definition to an area of the stencil.

: I added some purple shading as the pink on the original background wasn’t showing up. You can add right over the stenciled area once the background is completely dry.

: Once paper is completely dry, you can start stamping. I use Versafine Clair for stamping. I also use my stamp positioned to help get a crisp image. Cold Press watercolor paper has some texture and sometimes requires several applications of ink to get a solid image. You can leave the image clear or you can now paint with watercolors. Dye based inks, such as Distress and Mementos, will run when water is applied.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will give it a go

Stay safe

Annie x