Watercolor with Distress Inks

Hello!

Today I'm sharing some quick and easy cards.  These watercolor cards take little effort but have wow results.  I am not a practiced watercolor painter nor do I have watercolor paints. After doing a little studying on some basic, and I mean basic techniques, I pulled out my Distress Inks and practiced some card fronts.  After doing a few test cards I was getting results I felt comfortable with.   With practice you too can get wonderful results. 

Here is the finished set of cards.  

I was having so much fun I didn't get any stepped out photos. The same steps were followed, modifying  a bit for different images. 

The tools I used included a non-stick craft mat, Distress Inks, two cups of water (one for clean water and one for dirty water), a variety of brushes, and a spritzer tool. I did not use a heat tool-I let all the cards air dry so the Distress inks could do their happy mixing thing. 

1.  Start with a good, heavy weight watercolor paper - I prefer cold press for its texture

2.  Pick out stamps that have open images or those with sentiments

3.  Heat emboss with clear ink and black embossing powder

4.  Use a brush to apply "clean" water to the card base

5.  Apply Distress Ink to your mat

6.  Wet your brush (again with the clean water) and dip into the ink and apply to your image

7.  Always clean your brush after each color (this will be your "dirty" water cup)

8.  Apply clean water for a watered down effect or to move the inks

9.  Apply more ink with less water on the brush for a more intense color

10.  Use white paint and a spritzer tool and markers to make some splatters for extra interest 

Practice is the key here to getting good results. You can do it. Pull out the watercolor paper or your art journal and make some watercolor art. 

Now some close ups of each card. 

Hope you start to look at your stamps and Distress inks in a new way. Would love to hear how your cards turn out!

Oh and where did I get those amazing fibers, you ask?  Why at Chico Scrapbooks. That Jodie has got some skills when it comes to selecting fibers and ribbons. Thanks for hooking a girl up!

Thank You so much for stopping by today. 

Happy Creating!

Hugs, Sharon

More Halloween Fun

Happy Friday to you!

Hope all is well and you are planning a fun weekend!  I have been busy working on class samples and designing some new projects. The spooky season is fast approaching and I have been having some more Halloween fun playing with the new Tim Holtz Skull die. 

I pulled out my hoarded Laboratorie Idea-ology Paper Stash, the Skull, and Postage Stamp Frames dies, some Ranger Texture Paste, and my favorite Halloween Distress colors and started playing. This will be my October class at Chico Scrapbooks. Here is a sneak peek.

If you are a Halloween fan like I am you will love this skull!

I'm looking forward to teaching a watercolor card class this Sunday at Chico Scrapbooks. It's watercolor Distress style. Love how versatile these inks are!  I got so caught up in making my samples I forgot to take photos. Ugh. I will take some on Sunday to share with you.   We still have seats for the class so if you are in the Chico area and are interested please call to reserve your spot. 

Headed back into the studio to finish up my skulls. He he he. Bwahahahahaha!

Check back to see the finished piece and a recap of Sunday's class. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Happy Creating!

Hugs, Sharon