Watercolor Splotches Tutorial

Last week I posted this card that was inspired by this card in the Stampin' Success magazine. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration Aimee.  I  had so many wonderful comments and several requests for a "how to".   So here goes.  It took several tries to get some decent pictures and a decent outcome.  Here's the finished card.  Read on for the tutorial.

Watercolor Splotches Card

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!

Supplies for design:  
  Paper:  Shimmery White, Basic Black
  Ink:   3 colors of Re-inker
           Jet Black StazOn
  Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri, You're a Gem (retired)
 Other:  Aqua Painter, Palette (non SU) (You can use a plastic lid if you don't have a palette.),

1.  Squeeze a drop of each of 3 colors of re-inker on a palette.  I used Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo.

2.  With an Aqua Painter, squeeze 1 drop of water in each drop of re-inker.

3. Wet paper (5" x 3 1/4") with the Aqua Painter.  You want it wet but not puddled.  You don't have to do the entire sheet.  Only do the area you want colored.

4.  Paper is wet.  Notice that there are some little drips.  If it's too puddled, gently mop up some of the excess.

5.  With a wet but not drippy Aqua Painter, pick up some of the lightest color.

6.  Paint the color on the wet card surface.  Keep adding color until you like the results.
     Clean brush on a paper towel.

7.  Add the second color in the same manner, overlapping and blending the colors.
     Clean brush on a paper towel.

8.  Add third color and blend with the middle color.

9.  Dry with a heat tool.

10.  When dry, stamp with StazOn ink.

11.  Ready to put on a card.  But wait, it needs something else.

12.  I went back and added some more Pool Party and Island Indigo.  Much better.

I matted the design on a 5 1/8" x 3 7/8" piece of Basic Black then mounted all that on a piece of cardboard from the DSP cut in a tent fold.

Added some Basic Pearls, colored with my black Sharpie, to the butterfly and some Basic Rhinestones on the watercolor.

I've experimented with some other colors, but I didn't like any of them as much as this trio.  I'm going to keep trying and do some different "moves" with the water and color. 


I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and will give it a try.  Be sure to let me know if you do so I can see.


I'm so glad you stopped by!  Come back soon!


Enjoy!