How do you use Watercolours? Did you know that you don’t need to be an artist to incorporate watercolours into a card design and I have 2 easy ideas to share with you…
But first, I wanted to let you know that this post contains a ton of affiliate links (at no extra cost to you – just in case you decide to go shopping 😉) and that it is part of a Hop celebrating a new release from Altenew and you can find all of the hop details in the link list below!
#WATERCOLOUR
Do you love the look of watercolour on cards designs but lack the confidence to try it? Today I share 2 easy ways to incorporate the look into your cards without the stress. Starting with
Card #1 – Use a Stencil?
Did you know that you can watercolour through a stencil, and it’s so easy to do! I have a VIDEO HERE showing how!
Stamp the image on watercolour cardstock, ensure you use a water resistant ink (such as a pigment ink like Obsidian). Allow a couple of minutes for this to dry or you could speed up the process by using a heat tool on a low setting.
Choose which watercolour you would like to use and place a little on a non-porous surface, such as a palette, or even a kitchen plate would do. Remember that a little goes a long way. Then, hold the stencil over the image and paint through it using a watercolour brush (try not to have too much water on your brush), then allow the image to dry.
Add a second colour to the palette and repeat the technique, but this time only drop the colour at the base of the image. This gives a simple 2 tone look without the stress of mixing and blending (unless you want to). It works for images such as leave and flowers, check out my card below.
I used the Press Plate with a waterproof ink to create these Rustling Leaves, and it was very nice to have the coordinating die as I would never have fussy cut these lol.
PRO TIP: Using premixed colours takes all the guess work out of mixing and is great if you are a beginner or plan to colour larger images or backgrounds as you don’t have the worry about mixing enough colour for the project.
I used one of the bold Timeless Sentiments and added it to the centre of the design.
Hint: For a different ‘more blended’ look you can try adding the second colour before the first one completely dries.
Card #2 – Watercolour Cardstock
For a fun look why not try adding a wash of watercolour to some cardstock. You can make this as even or as ‘splotchy’ (is that a real word?) as you like. Allow time for it to dry before die cutting or stamping on it. And remember, that watercolours will dry a little lighter.
I used my watercolour wash cardstock to die cut a Lovely Floral Hat. But I didn’t leave it at that, I also added some extra details using the Rustic Burlap Press Plate. And a little wash of watercolour on the centre of the flower too.
BONUS IDEA: Don’t have watercolours, or not sure if you like the idea? Did you know that you can watercolour with dye inks to see if you like it, check out how in my 10 Top Tips for Watercolouring Live VIDEO HERE.
Giveaway Prizes
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 03/12/2023 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 03/14/2023.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Let’s Hop
I hope you are inspired to create some floral designs yourself! Crafty Hugs,
Other Supplies: SHOP the New RELEASE HERE
Altenew Artist’s Watercolors: Painter’s Palette Watercolor Bundle  
Yellow Lemon | Olive Green | French Aquamarine
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |  Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |  Watercolor Paper Pad ALT |  Watercolor Paper Set ALT |
 Aqua Sky AUZ |  Rustling Leaves Bundle ALT |  Rustling Leaves PP ALT |  Rustling Leaves Stencil ALT |
 Rustling Leaves Die ALT |  Timeless Sentiments Die Set ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Lovely Floral Hat ALT |  Rustic Burlap ALT |
 Thinking Of You Die ALT | SSS |  Obsidian ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Watercolor Brushes Round ALT | SSS |  Large Palette ALT | SSS |
 Faber Castell – Water Cup SSS | OTH |  Jet Black Spray ALT |  Tweezers ALT | SSS |  Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Scissors SSS | AUZ |  MISTI SSS | AUZ |  Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS |  Bigshot SSS |
 BetterPress SB SSS | AUZ | SB |  Gemini Junior SSS |  Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Bearly Art Glue SSS | AUZ |
 Glue Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |  Foam Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
Fabulous cards! I love the press plate leaves and that cute hat!
Gorgeous, as always! Love your CAS cards! So eye catching! I’m inspired by the idea of watercoloring with stencils! Do we have a video for that? I can probably manage watercoloring cardstock LOL
So glad you like the technique Carrianne, I do have a couple of videos, but you can see my most recent one here https://youtu.be/mMvaxONJeQ8?si=OHBqFceGSMbDstK1
Hope you like it!
I love how you always share a tip or two on how to create. I love watercoloring through a stencil- definitely takes some of the stress of getting “the right composition” out of it.
Love the cards, Therese, and thanks for the pro tips along the way.
Lovely cards, Therese. I haven’t tried watercoloring through a stencil but I like the idea. Thanks for the pro tips.
I’ve been thinking about watercoloring through a stencil but wasn’t sure how effective it would be. Thanks for showing me how well it can work.
It’s a lot of fun to do, I have a couple of videos showing how I used stencils and watercolours including this one here if you want to see it in action. https://youtu.be/mMvaxONJeQ8?si=OHBqFceGSMbDstK1
Beautiful cards
Thank you Simeen!
Lovely ideas for using watercolor.
I love the leaf card. You are making me buy this!
Oops, sorry lol.
What gorgeous cards! And thanks for the watercolor tutorial!
So pretty and heartwarming with spring greens and soft pinks. Love the use of watercolor with stencil… will surely try!
Both are stunning! I LOVE the leaves!
love your card ideas, and techniques to try – im too chicken to try watercolour on my cards
hahaha I was too initially, I started by using ‘ink pads’ to make my watercolour paint, that way I really didn’t have to buy anything just to give it a try. Good luck!
Love both of these cards…especially that hat!!
Beautiful leaf card design! Thanks for the great tips too!
Love the cards, fabulous release
both cards are lovely – thanks for sharing these ideas – very inspiring
Hi Therese. I love those rustling leaves and would love to see how you created them and how you got that great dimension. Beautiful card
The texture on the hat is awesome!
Beautiful cards…. I especially LOVE the first one 💕
Thanks for all the watercolor tips. Both cards are lovely! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Therese, I remember watching your YouTube videos on watercolouring using stencil. Such a gorgeous card it was. This just reminded me to have a go at it. Your cards are just so beautiful. Thank you for sharing â¤ï¸
Therese, I adore your leaves and all the colors you’ve added to them – so much more interesting than using only green!
A very cute way to make that sunbonnet the star of the card!
=]
Lovely cards!!
Wonderful cards, Therese! Love those wispy leaves and that cute little hat!
Beautiful cards! Thanks for the tips, never thought to watercolor through a stencil. Going to try that soon!
I love your cards. Thanks for the tips on watercoloring.
Hello, lovely lady! Beautiful cards!
great ideas Therese. Love that second card,
I really like how you painted the greenery! So great for anyone, especially for the men who prefer no flowers! (can you imagine?LOL)
Great greenery! I love how you water colored the leaves- what a perfect card for anyone, especially for my husband to give to friends- he requests “no flowers”!
Beautiful cards!! Always a pleasure seeing your projects.
Gorgeous cards Therese. The multicolored leaves are so pretty! Love that hat! Thanks for the inspirations!
Gorgeous cards! I love how you watercolored using the stencils! Such a beautiful effect!
Beautiful cards! And thanks for the tips on watercoloring! I want to try more of that in the future as it creates such a pretty look!
Beautiful cards! I love all of them! Thanks for all the tips!
I love the leaves press plate. Beautiful cards.
Love the leaves press plate. The cards are beautiful.
Loving the combination of color used for the leaves! The embossing on the hat is a fun detail.
Love the cards and all the tips. Great new release!
Beautiful cards. I love the coloring on the leaves!
Two beautiful cards. That leaf card is particularly beautiful.
Wonderful cards….love your designs.
Such beautiful projects
Love your blue and green leaves, makes me think of eucalyptus.
Hi Therese. Your card is so pretty. I did not know you can watercolor through a stencil. Thank you so much for attaching the videos in your post that is always appreciated. I have the “Thinking of You†die and I am going to try and try this cards technique.
These are so pretty! Great designs and colors! Love the effect of watercoloring with a stencil… I’ll have to give that a try!
Love your cards and thanks for the watercolor tips. I didn’t know you could water color through a stencil, I’m thinking it would be fun to use watercolor pencils in a stencil too. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Therese! Such pretty cards!! I remembered watching your video on You Tube – how to watercolour using a stencil. The card turned out so beautiful, haven’t tried it yet but promise to give it a go soon. Thanks for sharing!
Fabulous designs Therese! Thank you for the watercolor tips, for the inspiration, and for all that you share! Have a wonderful day!
I love that you used a sentiment die I already have! So pretty!
Love the tips. Pretty cards
Fab Cards. Love the hat die!
It’s a fun die I agree!