Watercolor for Card Makers - More Practice

I am sharing here four (4) more cards that I have made as practice homework.  I really enjoyed the watercolor techniques.  I did find it difficult to stop fussing with the piece before it becomes overworked. 

I also have done more testing on scrap paper before putting the color down.  I also did some testing of the embossed sentiment before deciding which one to use.

 

4th day of Watercolor for Card Makers

I am amazed at the wonderful techniques that can be used to create a watercolor image or background.  The online class has been terrific.  I have tried several of the techniques, but I have to admit it is not as easy as the artists would have one believe.  Here are some of the cards that I have made--I am even including the images that are not so great.

These are the cards I made from the first day of instruction:

This card was made using pearlescent watercolor pan with a Tim Holtz stencil of bubbles.  The photograph does not show the interesting effect from the stencil.  But I am not happy with the way the watercolor paper distorted.

This card was made using Distress Ink pads using an acrylic block and water.  This was interesting and I think I will continue to practice this to make this a better image.

I don't know that I really knew what I was doing with this card.  But it using an embossed pattern as a resist to the watercolor to create the background.  Oh, well.  I think this missed the mark.

This card was made using techniques shown on Day 3 and 4.  I love this technique.  And I particularly love the Stamps by Judith and her technique of using Tombow markers with the stamped image.  I will definitely try more of this.

This card was made using Gelatos applied directly to this Hero Arts stamp.  Instead of using water mister, I used a shimmering mist by Luminart.  It is difficult to see with the photo, but I really love the overall shimmer of the image.  This was great fun.  With the single application of the Gelatos, I was able to print up several images.

This has been a great experience, but I think I am a bit over my head.  I just need to keep telling myself that I have only started card making two months ago.  I will keep practicing and learning new things!!

WPlus9 - Fresh Cut Florals and More Fresh Cuts

Last evening I took a card making class at my local 'paper crafts' store -- Angela's Happy Stamper.  This is a wonderful shop located in Reston, Virginia.  I try my best to utilize this shop for as many of my supplies as I can because I want to support local and small businesses.

I want to mention a few things about the class.  The class format is to learn new stamping techniques and come away with five sample cards.  This class used several new stamp and die sets by WPlus9, Fresh Cut Florals and More Fresh Cuts.  What fun!   The teacher had done a great deal of preparation before class, so all of the die cuts were ready.  There were two major skills I learned--how to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig (from Stampin' Up) and not to press too hard when stamping with the photopolymer clear stamps.

I bought a new background stamp that has a real vintage feel -- the Delightfully Delicate Background by Sweet 'n Sassy.

First Day with Watercolors

Today is my first day playing with watercolors -- as a practice before starting the Online Class "Watercolors for Card Making".

I have created several color charts for the several watercolor palettes I have--

• Ranger's Distress Markers
• Artist's Loft Pan Watercolors (28 color set)
• Pearlescent Pan Watercolors (16 color set)
• Faber-Castell Gelatos

I have added a picture of a card that I made using Memento Ink with water, as a watercolor application with a stamped image.  I really like the way it turned out.

I have some Twinkling H20's (also known as Twinks).  I want to pick up the Sakura Koi set, as well as some Inktense pencils.

Also, part of the practice exercise was to make a watercolor plaid background.  This was much harder than I expected.  I obviously cannot paint a straight line very well!  Maybe this will become easier with practice or at least I hope so.