I am so honored to be guest designing again for MarkerPOP and help announce the latest MarkerPOP bi-weekly challenge. This time, the challenge is “Watercolor Florals,” and you can see the inspiration photo below and enter HERE.
I’m not a watercoloring expert by any means, but watercoloring with Ken Oliver Color Bursts can help anyone create projects like an artist! Each bottle has fine pigment granules, with the predominant color being the name on the label but mixed in with complementary colors. The color crystals are packed with such intensity that playing with these can make even a beginner like me look like a pro!
I thought I would get ahead of the game with Mothers’ Day and created a couple of cards for my mom and my mother-in-law using the Altenew “Majestic Bloom” and “Peony Bouquet” stamp sets. Both ladies’ favorite color is blue so I thought I would veer away from the normal whites or pinks and go bold with blues and purples. For both cards, I used the Ken Oliver Color Burst colors: Ultramarine Blue, Violet, Terre Verte and Yellow Ochre.
Using Strathmore Bristol Paper (I love how thick and absorbent this paper is for watercoloring and there is almost no perceptible bumpy texture unlike many watercolor papers) cut down to card front size, I stamped out flowers from both stamp sets using VersaMark Ink and clear embossing powder. Then I wet down the center of each flower and the base of each petal with plain water using a Silver Black Velvet #6 paint brush (this is the only brush I used throughout, and it’s perfect to get good coverage as well as detailed thin strokes). This wetness helps catch the color crystals (which could slide off of dry paper) where I want the most intense color.
Then I blended out and directed the color crystals with more water on my brush. It’s important to dry the watercolors between each application of color so that the color crystals don’t all mix to create a muddy brown. I also like to occasionally hit the back side of the paper with the heat tool so that the drying doesn’t curl the paper in one direction too much.
What’s fabulous about watercoloring with these Color Bursts is that the granules in each bottle have a combination of colors so there is a natural artistic blend that comes from just adding water and activating the crystals. Such an artistic look and so easy!
I layered each card front with white card stock for a thin border, and then mounted the whole card front onto a black card base. For the sentiment, I used more black card stock and Extra Fine Ranger White Embossing Powder to heat emboss some simple Mothers’ Day sentiments from The Greeting Farm “I Love Mom” stamp set. I hand cut those sentiments and popped them up for a little bit of dimension using fun foam. For a finishing touch, I added 7 varying sized dots of White Blizzard Nuvo Glitter Drops to give some shimmer and the look of water drop-like accents.
The following is a process video of watercoloring the card front with the outline of the main flower from the Majestic Bloom stamp set and the bud from the Peony Bouquet stamp set:
This card is being entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Splash It On Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Showers and/or Flowers Challenge
Card Mania April Showers Bring May Flowers Challenge
Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge
Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge – WINNER
Creatalicious Anything Goes with Optional Birthday Challenge
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Anything Goes Challenge
613 Avenue Create Anything Goes with Optional Spring Challenge
Fab ‘n’ Funky In the Garden Challenge
These cards are wonderful. Love the colors. They are just so beautiful. Thanks for joining us at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends! 🙂
Thanks so much Sandy!
Your card are breathtakingly beautiful – so vibrant and majestic. Thanks for joining us at 613 Avenue Create.
Thanks so very much Sheila!
so beautiful love it. Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Through The Craft Room Door Challenge Anything Goes. And I hope you will come back next week as well.
Linda DT TTCRD
Ladybugstampers.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words, Linda!
Your card is gorgeous! Love the beautiful colors. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. 🙂
Awww thanks so much Meihsia!
Gorgeous card! It’s so elegant and beautifully stamped.
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Mandy xx
Thank you Mandy! I really appreciate you stopping by and spreading crafty love!
It’s stunning! I will definitely watch your video when I can. Thanks so much! Hugs, Autumn
Awww thanks Autumn! I hope you enjoy the video too!
This is just gorgeous and such a fabulous technique – thank you fro sharing this and thank you so much for joining in with our in the garden challenge at Fab’n’Funky this week hugs Judith x
Thanks so much Judith! i’m so glad you like the technique!
Wow – I love the vibrant blue on those gorgeous color. A very fabulous card. Thanks so much for joining us this time at the Creatalicious Challenge, Elizabeth (DT)
Thanks so much Elizabeth! It was really fun watercoloring these cards!
These are absolutely gorgeous!! The colors are vibrant and just beautiful. Thanks for joining us at Creatalicious
Tina dt
Thanks for your lovely comment Tina!
Gosh those colours are lush and delish! So rich in tone! What a beautiful image and fabulous cards. Thanks for joining in with our ‘In The Garden’ challenge at Fab ‘n’ Funky. I love your stunning creations. Hugs, Wends xoxo Fab ‘n’ Funky DT
Awww thanks so much Wendy! I so appreciate you taking the time to spread crafty love on my blog! 😀
Kristina, I absolutely think your mom’s will be more than thrilled. Your cards and painting are magnificent!
Thank you for delivering inspiration to my in box, the video is a major plus.
Oh you are so kind, Vicki! I’m so touched by your sweet comment. It really lifted my spirits today! Big hugs, Kristina
These cards are stunning!!
Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for entering at Creatalicious, please visit us again! Jackie DT member.
Wonderful project! Thanks for playing along in the 613 Avenue Create Challenge.
Hugs Natalie
INKognito
Thanks bunches, Natalie!
A gorgeous card!
Thank you soo much for taking part in our “anything goes with optional birthday” challenge over at Creatalicious & good luck in the draw.
Hope to see you again in our new challenge as well…
Hugs,
Melanie
(DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)
(DT Crafty Friends)
(DT The Sketchy Challenges)
PS: Sorry for the late comment, life had been very busy the past couple of weeks…