Watercolor backgrounds are one of my favorite ways to start a card. They are quick, versatile and really pack a punch visually! I love that I can make them using any colors to create any type of mood. Watercolor backgrounds can be bold, subtle, elegant – it’s up to you! One of the questions I get asked frequently is how I keep my colors from becoming muddy. I have a few simple go to tricks and tools that I rely on to make this process quick and easy. I’ve made a video to walk you through my process when creating a watercolor background.
In the video I used Distress Re-inkers but you can use any water soluble inks you already have, just smoosh some ink on a plastic or glass surface and you are good to go.
Supplies: Stamps: Simply Stamped Pineapple (Taylored Expressions); Dies: Simply Stamped Pineapple dies, Wispy Grass Border Die, Happy Summer Banner dies, Stitched Rectangle Stacklets dies (all Taylored Expressions); Ink: Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy, Dandelion, Cantaloupe, Peanut Brittle (Memento); Barn Door, Carved Pumpkin, Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold, Mustard Seed Distress Ink (Ranger); Paper: Sugar Cube, Peapod, Granny Smith, Oreo cardstock (Taylored Expressions), Watercolor cardstock (Tim Holtz/Ranger); Accessories: Glossy Accents (Ranger), Quick Dry Adhesive (3M), Foam Tape (3M), Sequins (Verve Stamps), tweezers, heat gun, Vagabond (Sizzix)
There are many other types of watercolor paints that work well for this so just experiment and see what works best for you! I use this technique with my middle school art students all the time and we use school grade Prang watercolors with great success!
You can also learn more techniques on Jen's YouTube channel HERE!
Love this card. Makes me want to go to Hawaii.
Posted by: Joan VanCourt | June 30, 2016 at 10:35 AM
OOOOOOOOOO! This is so pretty! LOVE the vibrant background!! TFS!
Posted by: barb macaskill | June 30, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Awesome card :)
Posted by: Nina Oelke | June 30, 2016 at 01:24 PM
pretty card.
Posted by: MaryAnn N. | June 30, 2016 at 01:48 PM
Love the beautifully inked background, so Summery looking. Beautiful card. Thanks for video.
Posted by: Linda Tupper | June 30, 2016 at 07:17 PM
I use this technique with my middle school art students all the time and we use school grade Prang watercolors with great success!
Posted by: quilling cards | July 02, 2016 at 12:18 AM
Love the watercolor background. It's gorgeous and screams summertime. Great job.
Posted by: Dorina D | July 06, 2016 at 01:53 PM
Love the versatility of the background technique!
Posted by: Kim Vogt | August 17, 2016 at 11:18 PM
I love that I can make them using any colors to create any type of mood. Watercolor backgrounds can be bold, subtle, elegant
Posted by: pop-up cards | August 27, 2016 at 07:29 AM