watercolor technique and COMM

[Deb C]

This is from the new watercolor class I just posted to my website. I
thought the ideas might be helpful to some of the newer stampers :)

Watercolor Crayons
The Steadtler watercolor crayons are a wonderful
accessory! With
the 20 crayons that come in the tin you can achieve
great color
combinations and very soft and pretty effects on your
stamped
projects. A few tips that might help you achieve the
results you are
looking for:
* Watercolor works best on thick, heavy cardstock. For
best results
use watercolor paper from the art section of your hobby
store. As
normal light weight cardstock gets wet it will buckle
somewhat.
* Use a permanent ink pad such as Ancient Page to
prevent your
stamped image from running when you get it wet with
your paintbrush
or blender pen
* Always start with the lightest color first and then add shading or
contrasting colors over that
* The wetter the better! Don't worry about trying to stay exactly in the
lines - it's not supposed
to be perfect - letting the color bleed outside of the lines actually adds
to the effect.
* Watercolor crayons can also be used to make great backgrounds! Start by
using a clean
paintbrush to paint the paper with clear water. Next start adding the
colors. By starting with
wet paper the colors will bleed and dry with softer "edges" and fewer brush
stroke marks. For
best results lay your paper on an angle (the top of the paper raised) and
start adding color from
the top and work your way down. If you use a little bit less water you can
easily add patterns
such as plaids. Just remember to start with the lightest color first! If
you are going to make
background papers I recommend sitting and doing a bunch of them at one time
and allowing them
to dry. Then cut into the size you need for panels and layering. That way
you won't have to
stop and wait half way through a card!

The crayons can be applied in various ways:
1- Use the crayon to color directly on the
paper
and then soften with a wet brush or Dove
Blender. This technique will give you the
darkest
color

2- Use a wet paintbrush to pick up the
color
directly from the tip of the crayon

3- Use a Dove Blender pen to pick up the
color
directly from the tip of the crayon. If
you aren't
very good with a paintbrush this might be
the best
thing to try first! It's easier to control
the marker
than the brush, but you don't get quite a
"watery"
look as you do with the brush

To see the color images that go with this class just go to:
http://www.sweetcelebrations.8m.com/classroom.html
You can also find past classes online at the bottom of the same page :)
Enjoy!
Deb

--
Debbie Carrasco
Sweet Celebrations Team Leader
Copperas Cove, TX
http://www.sweetcelebrations.8m.com