With the recent release of the Ever After Remix collection, I was reminded of the gorgeous coordinating stamps still available in our online store. I recently came across this card tutorial I had pinned some time ago.
As I re-watched the video and was mesmerized by her process and immediately inspired to create a batch of five faux watercolor cards featuring Ever After stamps.
Ever After Faux Watercolor Cards
I love the look of watercolor artwork, but never possessed the talent to create original art of my own. Thankfully, I can easily create faux watercolor art with stamps and a variety of mediums! To get started, gather your favorite stamps, a stack of paper panels, water-based inks/paints, and of course, water.
There are a number of mediums that work well for this process: Watercolor paints, watercolor crayons, dye-based ink pads or markers, Gelatos, etc. Obviously different mediums will yield slightly different results.
Pair your medium with a water source - either a spray bottle that produces a fine mist, or an artist's water brush.
The type of paper you use will affect the outcome as well. Almost any card stock will do, as long as you avoid those with a glossy or shiny finish - matte is best. If you really want to feel like an "artiste", invest in genuine watercolor paper from your favorite art supply store.
Let's take a tour of my cards below.
Card #1
Start with a super smooth ivory panel. Mist the leaf stamp with water. Use the flat end of a watercolor crayon to add shades of green and blue to the image. Mist again lightly with water and stamp onto the panel. Repeat to create a frame around the perimeter of the panel. Next, mist the berry sprig image with water and apply shades of blue and purple metallic Gelatos. Mist again and stamp onto the panel. Repeat as desired to fill in the open areas of the frame.
Finally, use the saturated tip of an artist's water brush to pick up color from blue and purple watercolor crayons. Tap lightly over the entire surface of the panel to create a subtle splatter background. Set panel aside and allow to dry thoroughly. Stamp "Happy Anniversary" in India ink. Tie a length of ribbon around the panel, mat with purple, and adhere to the card base.
Card #2
Use the same stamp coloring techniques as above to decorate a second super smooth ivory panel. Use shades of yellow, gold and green watercolor crayon on the leaf stamp, shades of brown on the stem, and gold metallic Gelatos on the large berry sprig.
Create the splatter background with a water brush dipped in green and black watercolor crayon.
Card #3
Begin with a super smooth white panel. Use the same stamp coloring techniques as above to create a leaf border in shades of green. Tap a water brush dipped in green and black watercolor crayon lightly over the entire panel.
Once dry, add the stem, small sprig image, and sentiment using India ink. Adhere the silver leaf charm (2021 Li'l Sprouts) using bookbinding glue in a needle-tipped applicator.
Card #4
For this card, stamp the large berry sprig repeatedly using shades of blue and purple watercolor crayon. Repeatedly stamp the small sprig using shades of green.
Apply greens and browns to the "noise" image and stamp repeatedly to fill in the open areas of the border. Add the sentiment using India ink.
Card #5
The final card features a watercolor paper panel. You can see how the mediums take on a slightly different look when using this kind of paper.
Color the leaf image using shades of yellow, gold and green watercolor crayon. Add "noise" using similar colors. Once the panel is dry, add the sentiment, wrap the panel with burlap ribbon mat with dark green and adhere to the card base.
I hope these Ever After faux watercolor cards inspire you to experiment with these techniques on your own. It's good, messy fun, and you'll be surprised at the results you can achieve with a little practice. Visit the blog posts below for additional "watercolor" inspiration.
8.5x11 Super Smooth Cover Stock (10 pack)
$3.95
The perfect stock to use with our digital hybrid products for at-home printing. Super Smooth, 80# cover stock. Great for stamping and card making, too! Available in white or ivory. Ten sheets.… Read More
India Ink Pad
$7.50
Club Scrap's India Ink is a deep black, super-quick drying dye ink formula for use with watercolors, markers, stamping, scrapbooking and much more. We love how fast it dries so that you can get to work without a smudge!… Read More
