copyright © 2016 online card classes, llc. all rights ... · 2. paint directly on a dry panel of...

Copyright © 2016 Online Card Classes, LLC. All rights reserved. DAY 1 - PAGE 1

1

Day 1 - Brush Techniques & Washes

The Basics & Common Problemsby Dawn Woleslagle

Wet-on-Dry Watercolor1. Load a brush with a color of your choice.

2. Paint directly on a dry panel of watercolor paper or over another watercolor that has already dried.

Wet-on-Wet Watercolor (Paper)1. Load a brush with clean, clear water.

2. Paint the water on a dry panel of watercolor paper to wet it.

3. Load a brush with a color of your choice.

4. Touch the base of your brush to a paper towel to wick away excess water.

5. Paint directly on the wet watercolor paper.

Wet-on-Wet Watercolor (Watercolor Charge)1. Load a brush with a color of your choice.

2. Paint directly on a dry panel of watercolor paper.

3. Load a brush with a second color, taking care to have the same amount of water in the mix as in Step 1. This is key. Wick away excess water with a paper towel, if needed.

4. Paint directly on the dry panel of watercolor paper, overlapping the still wet watercolor from Step 2 to create a blend/third color.


2

Softening a Wet-on-Dry Edge1. Load a brush with clean, clear water, and wick

away the excess water with a paper towel.

2. Starting away from the hard edge you want to soften, paint the clean water up to the hard edge. Make sure to use less water as you approach the pigment’s edge; otherwise, the water will force its way into the pigment and create “blooms” or “run-backs”.

3. Brush the water over the hard edge, and the pigment will begin to spread into the water-painted area.

Tips & Tricks to Note • When watercolors have the same water-to-pigment

ratio, they will blend seamlessly. Remember: “Damp”

is the danger zone in watercolors! Wet paint will

always overpower damp paint and create “blooms”

or “halos”.

• Controlling your water is the key to creating

beautiful watercolors intentionally instead of by

happy accident. The pigment will only go where the

water will allow it.

• Remove excess water from your brush by touching

the base of your brush to a paper towel. This will

wick away the water while leaving the pigment

loaded on your brush.

• Wet-on-wet techniques produce soft edges, while

wet-on-dry produces hard edges. It’s all about the

look you’re going for!

Supplies:• M Graham & Co Alizarin Crimson Tube Watercolor (DB)• M Graham & Co Ultramarine Blue Tube Watercolor (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 10 Round Brush (DB)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Synthetic Stable

1" Wash Brush (DB)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)

http://lm.inlinkz.com/go.php?i=903343&c=165120







3

Pear Notecardby Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 4" x 52"

Instructions1. Score a strip of watercolor paper to create a

4" x 52" top-folding card. Do not fold at this time. Mask off the back of the card, just above the score line.

2. Using a pear die and a t-ruler, measure the size of the die. Using the t-ruler and a pencil, beginning 2" from the top and side of the card, mark where a row of pears should be placed, making each row large enough to accommodate the pear die plus a little white space.

3. Draw full lines across the card, connecting the marks you’ve made, to create rows.

4. In each row, trace the pear die multiple times, alternating whether the pear is right side up or upside down. Note: Don’t worry about the leaf and stem. You’ll be freehand painting those in.

5. Inside the first pear, trace a line of clean, clear water using a round brush. Keep the water inside the pencil line; if you paint over the pencil line, it can be nearly impossible to erase.

6. Load the brush with your lightest color (yellow shown here), and dab the color into the pear shape. Dab a bit less of a darker color (green shown here) in around the first color. Drop in just a dab of a third shade around the edges (red shown here). Tilt your paper to spread the color in whichever direction you want the paper to run.

7. Mix a brown shade by blending your green and red shades. Load the color onto your brush, and draw a thin line at the top of the pear. Drop in a small dab of red on the pear, just below the stem.


4

8. Mix a yellow-green shade by blending your green and yellow shades. Load the color onto your brush and create a simple leaf, barely touching the stem at the base.

9. Repeat Steps 5 – 8 to watercolor each pear shape on the notecard, varying the amount of each color on each pear to create diversity.

10. Allow the notecard to dry completely. Remove the mask from the back of the card, and erase your pencil lines. Fold the notecard to finish.

Tips & Tricks to Note • Once the paper loses its sheen, stop working—

the paper is getting dry. Allow your project to

dry completely, then wet it again, and drop in

additional color.

• Rub the tip of your eraser onto your work surface to

clean off any remaining graphite before touching

the eraser to your project.

Supplies:• WPlus9 Pears Dies (SSS | EH)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Synthetic Brush Size 8 (DB)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• T Ruler (SSS | EH )• Ranger Bone Folder (SSS)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painter’s Tape (SSS | EH)• Other: watercolors, pencil, Westcott eraser












5

Washes & Brush Strokesby Dawn Woleslagle

Graduated Background Wash1. Set a moveable surface at an incline (30

degrees shown), and lay your watercolor paper panel on the surface. Gravity will help the color move.

2. Load a wide, flat brush with the color of your choice. Paint a solid, horizontal line on your panel.

3. Dip your brush in water, and remove the excess water by running the brush over the rim of your container. Paint a solid, horizontal line on your panel, directly below and slightly overlapping the first line. This creates a place for the initial color to go and starts the graduated effect.

4. Repeat Step 3 an additional three times, making sure to remove the excess water each time. You want the same amount of water going down onto the paper with each line.

Variegated Background Wash1. Set a moveable surface at an incline (30

degrees shown), and lay your watercolor paper panel on the surface. Gravity will help the color move.

2. Load a wide, flat brush with the color of your choice. Paint a solid, horizontal line on your panel.

3. Dip your brush in water, and remove the excess water by running the brush over the rim of your container. Paint a solid, horizontal line on your panel, directly below and slightly overlapping the first line. This creates a place for the initial color to go and starts the graduated effect.


6

4. Ensuring that you have the same amount of water on your brush as in Step 2, pick up a second color. Paint a solid, horizontal line on your panel, directly over the line created in Step 3.

5. Repeat Step 3 to create a water line below the second color.

Glazed Background Wash1. This technique results in a three-color

graduated wash, with two colors blending in the middle.

2. Create a graduated background wash, following the instructions for that technique. Allow the background to dry completely.

3. Flip the watercolor panel.

4. Create a second graduated background wash in another color, directly over the first wash, with the fading travelling in the opposite direction.

Layering Color with Soft Edges1. Lay down the color of your choice, and allow

the color to dry completely.

2. Add a second color to create shading or variation.

3. Use clean, clear water and the tip of your brush to lay down a thin line of water and pull the second color into the water to soften the edges.

Simple Round Brush Leaf1. Select a round brush.

2. Load the brush with color.

3. Press the brush to the paper, drag it down, and lift up. The natural shape of the brush will create a leaf shape.


7

Simple Round Brush Circle1. Select a round brush.


3. Press the brush to the paper, and twirl it. The more you splay the bristles of the brush, the bigger the circle it creates.

Simple Flat Brush Lines1. Select a flat brush.


3. Keeping the brush relatively upright, lightly drag the chiseled tip of the brush across your paper. Create thicker lines by pressing the brush into the paper to use the side of the brush in addition to the tip. Use variations on this technique to create patterns and shapes.

Simple Flat Brush Texture1. Select a flat brush.


3. Angle the brush on its side and tap it on your paper, moving across the paper as you tap to create textured, uneven lines.

Tips & Tricks to Note• Background washes (graduated or variegated) are

easier using a wet-on-wet technique; however, if you

start by learning a wet-on-dry method, then it makes

the wet-on-wet version even easier! (But, if you’re

having trouble, wet your paper, then start).

• Use a modified graduated wash technique any time

you want to layer one color over another with soft

edges. Clean, clear water will work magic.

• Use the natural shape of your brushes to create

shapes. Use the tips of round brushes to create thin

lines and the flat edge to create bold strokes. Just

press, drag, and lift to create a line of varying widths.

(Coincidentally… these lines look like leaves!)

• Make as few brushstrokes as possible in order to

create cleanly colored lines—let the water do the

work whenever possible and match the size of your

brush to your project to help reduce brushstrokes.

Supplies:• Da Vinci Cosmotop Spin Round Brush Size 14 (DB)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Synthetic Stable

1" Wash Brush (DB)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Synthetic Stable

2" Wash Brush (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 5 Round Brush (DB)• Ranger Artist Brushes (SSS | EH )• Other: watercolor paint, watercolor paper








8

Bonjourby Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 4" x 52"

Instructions1. Score a strip of watercolor paper to create a

4" x 52" top-folding card. Do not fold at this time. Mask off the back of the card, just above the score line.

2. Using a ruler and pencil, draw a diagonal line across the center of the card (bottom left corner to upper right corner). Slide the ruler down one “ruler width”, and draw another line. Continue until you have reached the bottom right corner. Draw additional lines from the center diagonal line up to the upper left corner, following the same “ruler width” distance.

3. Turn the card, and repeat Step 2, drawing lines in the opposite direction to create a diamond pattern.

4. Using a clean eraser, lightly erase your pencil lines to create a barely visible grid to follow.

5. Using a small, flat brush, mix two different watercolors on your palette (red and yellow shown here). Blend the colors together in two different ratios to create two blended shades on your palette (red-orange and yellow-orange shown here).

6. Load your brush with your first blended shade. Paint inside the bottom edge of one diamond by pulling the brush toward you diagonally along one line, and then pulling the color up along the opposite diagonal to create a “v”.

7. Load your brush with the second blended shade. Paint a smaller “v” directly above the first.


9

8. Load your brush with the second blended shade. Paint a small diamond above the second “v” by pulling your brush straight down at an angle. The natural shape of the brush will create the diamond for you.

9. Repeat Steps 6 – 8 to paint all the diamonds on the card, varying the water-to-pigment ratio to create different intensities of the blended shades and create an interesting background. Tap off the tip of your brush to remove pigment and create lighter shades, if desired.

10. Allow the watercolors to dry completely. Remove the mask from the back of the card, and erase your pencil lines. Fold the card.

11. Stamp a greeting in pink ink on White cardstock (“Bonjour” shown here), and die cut with a corresponding die.

12. Tear a piece of White vellum. Create a nest of pink thread. Apply foam adhesive to the back of the greeting die cut, and secure the thread and the die cut to the vellum.

13. Adhere the completed greeting stack to the card.

Tips & Tricks to Note• To help prevent “trapped” pencil lines under your

watercolors, go over any designs you’ve drawn with

an eraser before starting to watercolor. This way, the

lines are visible enough that you can follow them,

but won’t be glaringly obvious if you accidentally

paint over them.

• Have two glasses of water at hand when you

watercolor: one for rinsing, one for picking up

clean water.

• By varying your water-to-pigment ratio, two

shades of watercolor can be used to create an

eye-catching background pattern. The more

variation in color you can achieve, the more

interesting your background will be.

Supplies:• Wplus9 Greetings and Salutations Stamps (SSS | EH)• Wplus9 Greetings and Salutations Dies (SSS | EH)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• Ranger Artist Brushes (SSS | EH )• Arches Hot Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painters Tape (SSS | EH)• Other: pencil, eraser, watercolor paints, vellum, pink thread














10

Day 1 Notes:


11

Day 2 - Brush Techniques & Washes: Examples

Cornflowersby Yana SmakulaCard sizes: 44" x 52"

Cornflower Instructions1. Clean your brushes and ensure they are free

of pigment.

2. Load the tip of a round brush (#3) with the pigment of your choice, touching the base of the brush to a paper towel to wick away excess water.

3. Press the brush on its side onto a sheet of watercolor paper, allowing the brush’s bristles to splay out.

4. Tilt the handle of the brush until it is perpendicular to your paper.

5. Lift the brush, moving the bristles slightly forward.

6. Create three brush strokes by repeating Steps 2 – 4, keeping the base of the brush in the same position and angling the bristles left and right. This creates a triangle shaped cornflower.

7. Load the tip of a small round brush (#2) with green pigment.

8. Dab a small amount of green at the base of your cornflower, and paint a thin, wavy line to create a stem.


12

Thanks for Being My Friend1. Following the Cornflower Instructions

above, create a panel of watercolor paper filled with flowers, varying the direction of the flowers as you fill in the space. For this card, do not fill in the entire panel—leave the upper left corner free.

2. Stamp a greeting word in ombre ink (“Friend” shown here) on White cardstock, and die cut using a coordinating die.

3. Stamp a complementary greeting in ombre ink (“Thanks for being my” shown here) on White cardstock. Trim the greeting to create a strip. Snip a triangle in the left end of the strip to create a ribbon/banner end.

4. Adhere the greeting word to the upper left corner of the panel using foam adhesive. Adhere the greeting strip to the panel, over the greeting word, using foam adhesive.

5. Adhere the completed panel to a White card.

Just Saying Hello 1. Following the Cornflower Instructions above,

create a panel of watercolor paper filled with flowers, varying the direction of the flowers as you fill in the space.

2. Stamp a greeting word in ombre ink (“Hello” shown here) on White cardstock, and die cut using a coordinating die.

3. Stamp a complementary greeting in ombre ink (“Just saying” shown here) on White cardstock. Trim the greeting to create a strip. Snip a triangle in the left end of the strip to create a ribbon/banner end.

4. Adhere the greeting word to the center of the panel using foam adhesive. Adhere the greeting strip to the panel, over the greeting word, using foam adhesive.


Supplies:• Altenew Super Script Stamps (SSS | EH)• Altenew Super Script Dies (SSS | EH)• Gansai 36 Piece Watercolor Set (SSS | EH)• Gansai Tambi 36 Color Set (DB)• Ranger Artist Brushes (SSS | EH)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Pool to Navy Ombre Ink Pad (SSS | EH)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch Double-Sided Foam Tape (SSS | EH)

Tips & Tricks to Note• The flowers shown here were created with just two brushes and a

little pressure. Let the shape of the brush do most of the work for

you.

• The way your flowers look will depend on several things—play

around with these elements until you find just the right look: the

paper you’re using; the amount of water on the brush; and the

amount of pigment on the brush.

• The petals of your flowers will look different depending on whether

you load the entire brush or just the tip with pigment. Here, Yana

loaded just the tip of her brush with color.



















13

16 Birthday Wishesby Kristina WernerCard size: 44" x 52"

Instructions1. Using a round brush, create a three-color

variegated wash over w of a 5" x 7" watercolor paper panel, as shown in the Day 2 video. Remember to ensure that each of your colors has the same water-to-pigment ratio, as instructed in the Day 1 videos.

2. Add a wide line of clear, clean water to the top and bottom edges of the color wash to smooth out the lines.

3. Allow the panel to dry completely, and cut it down to approximately 22" x 52".

4. Die cut a number from White cardstock (“16” shown here). Place on the watercolor strip to determine positioning.

5. Pounce a powder tool or powder bag over the watercolor strip to reduce static and prevent any stray embossing powder from sticking to any un-inked areas.

6. Stamp several balloons in VersaMark ink on the top third of the watercolor strip. Overlap the edges of the strip as needed, and ensure there is space around each balloon to add strings later. Fill between the balloons with stamped stars. Cover each balloon and star with White embossing powder as it’s stamped, and shake off the excess powder. Heat emboss all balloons and stars at the same time.

7. Draw a string for each balloon using a White Gel Pen.

8. Adhere the die cut number to the watercolor strip, below the balloons and stars, using foam adhesive.


14

9. Stamp a complementary greeting in VersaMark ink below the die cut number (“Birthday Wishes” shown here). Heat emboss using White embossing powder.

10. Using a pencil, make a mark in the center of the strip about w" from the bottom edge. Trim from each corner at an angle up to the mark, creating a ribbon or banner end.

11. Secure a watercolor paper panel to a moveable board using painter’s tape or another low-tack tape.

12. Using a round brush, create a dark-to-light gray graduated wash over the panel, as shown in the Day 2 video. Dab a paper towel over the wet panel to lift color away and create a stone texture.

13. Allow the gray stone watercolor panel to dry completely, and trim to 4" x 54". Adhere to a top-folding White card using foam adhesive.

14. Adhere the watercolor ribbon panel to the card using foam adhesive, aligning the top of the ribbon panel with the top of the gray stone panel.

15. Embellish the card with sequins, as desired.

16. Using a White Gel Pen, draw dash lines along the bottom/ribbon edge of the watercolor panel to create a faux stitched embellishment.

Tips & Tricks to Note• If your first attempt at a variegated wash doesn’t

quite work out, keep trying! As you work with your

paints and paper, you’ll learn how they blend and

work together.

• Some colors don’t naturally transition smoothly one

into the next. When that happens, blend upward

into the previous color. Remember: As long as your

paper is still wet, you can keep mixing and blending

until it feels right.

Supplies:• Simon Says Stamp Birthday Balloons Stamp Set (SSS)• Mama Elephant Number It Dies (SSS | EH)• Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Tubes in Winsor

Lemon, Opera Rose, and Scarlet Lake (DB)• Silver Black Velvet Round 8 Paint Brush (SSS | DB)• Silver Black Velvet Round 12 Paint Brush (DB)• Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (SSS | EH)• Fiskars Stamp Press (SSS | EH)• Lawn Fawn 2.5 Inch Round Acrylic Block (SSS)• EK Success Powder Tool (SSS | EH)• VersaMark Ink (SSS | EH)• VersaMark Pen (SSS | EH)• Uniball Signo White Gel Pen (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts White Embossing Powder (SSS | EH)• Mini Spoons (SSS)• Sistema Klip It Square Embossing Containers (AMZ)• EK Success Honey Bee Non-Stick Scissors (SSS)• Darice 8mm Crystal Sequins (SSS | SSS)• EK Success Tweezers (SSS | EH)• Dahle Self-Healing Black Cutting Mat (SSS)• 9 Inch by 12 Inch Hardboard Panels (DB)• Canson Montval Watercolor Blocks (DB | AMZ)• Neenah White 110 LB Cardstock 25 Pack (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch Double-Sided Foam Tape (SSS | EH)• Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue (SSS | EH | IE)• Quilled Creations Precision Tip Empty Applicator Bottle

(SSS | EH)












































15

Thanksby Jennifer RzasaCard size: 42" x 52"

Instructions1. Secure a panel of watercolor paper to your

work surface using painter’s tape.

2. Load a brush with red pigment, using a high water-to-pigment ratio.

3. Using a wet-on-dry technique and loose brush strokes, define the petals of a rose as shown in the Day 2 video. Hold the brush at an angle to create broad strokes. Be sure to leave white space between your rose of petals.

4. Allow the rose to dry as you work on your stem and leaves.

5. Load a brush with green pigment, using a medium water-to-pigment ratio.

6. Using loose brush strokes, sketch in a stem and leaves around the rose. Lift the brush perpendicular to the paper to taper the lines to fine points on your stems. Press the brush to the paper and allow the shape of the brush to create your leaf shapes.

7. Ensure the rose is completely dry before moving forward.

8. Mix dark red and brown pigment on your palette to create a new shade. Load the brush with the red-brown pigment, using a medium water-to-pigment ratio.

9. Add shading to the rose by painting wet-on-dry over the rose from Step 2.

10. Ensure the leaves and stems are completely dry before moving forward.

11. Load a brush with green pigment, using a medium water-to-pigment ratio. Add details to the leaves and stem by painting wet-on-dry using the same shade of green.


16

12. Ensure the watercolors are completely dry before moving forward.

13. Load a brush with green pigment, using a high water-to-pigment ratio. Spatter green pigment over the completed panel by tapping your brush. If the spatter ends up in unwanted areas, quickly pick it up using a paper towel.

14. Scan your completed watercolor, and print on White cardstock. Save your watercolor panel in case you ever need to rescan.

15. Secure a greeting word die (“Thanks”) to the printed panel using low-tack tape. Die cut the word from the panel, being careful to reserve all pieces. You will be using both the positive and negative (panel) die cuts for this project.

16. Die cut the greeting word from adhesive-backed fun foam so the adhesive is on the back of the word.

17. Stamp a complementary greeting (“I appreciate your generosity”) in Jet Black ink on the panel below the negative die-cut window.

18. Adhere the greeting word die cut to the fun foam die cut using Matte Multi Medium.

19. Adhere the panel to a White card. Nest the foam-backed die cut in the corresponding space, and secure with the adhesive. Adhere any small pieces in place.

Supplies:• Altenew Halftone Thanks Stamps (SSS | EH)• Altenew Thanks Die (SSS | EH)• Mijello Mission Gold Individual Watercolors (DB)• Mijello Mission Gold Watercolor Sets (DB)• Altenew Jet Black Crisp Dye Ink (SSS | EH)• Arches Hot Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• Neenah White Cardstock 250 Pack (SSS | EH)• Neenah White Cardstock 25 Pack (SSS | EH)• Neenah White 110 LB Cardstock 25 Pack (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painter’s Tape (SSS | EH)• Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch Pink ATG Tape Glider (SSS | EH)• Other: large round brush, die-cutting machine, black

adhesive backed fun foam, acrylic block

Tips & Tricks to Note• By holding a round brush at an angle and pressing, you can create

broad strokes.

• Even if you use a large brush, you can lift the brush and get

your lines to taper to a fine point. If you want to use just the

tip of the brush, you can create a very fine line—you may be

surprised how thin!

• Painting wet-on-dry allows you to add neatly defined shading to

your watercolor scenes and flowers.

• Scan your watercolor artwork to use on cards over and over again!
























17

Let's Partyby Laura BassenCard size: 44" x 52"

Instructions1. Stamp a grid background design in VersaMark

ink on a watercolor paper panel. Heat emboss using Clear embossing powder.

2. Load a round brush (#12) with your choice of color.

3. Using a 3” nesting circle die as a stencil, paint the embossed panel (wet-on-dry) to create a watercolor circle.

4. While the circle is still wet, drop in additional color to create organic shading (wet-on-wet).

5. Heat set the watercolor to speed up the drying process. Ensure the watercolor is completely dry before moving forward.

6. Reposition the die, overlapping the previous circle, and repeat Steps 2 – 5 using a different color. Repeat this Step to cover the embossed panel with a watercolor circle pattern.

7. Adhere the completed panel to a White card using foam adhesive.

8. Die cut a greeting word three times (“Party” circle) from White cardstock. Apply a double-sided adhesive sheet to the back of a White cardstock panel, and die cut the word one more time from the adhesive-backed cardstock.

9. Remove the backing from the adhesive-backed die cut to reveal a sticky die cut. Apply Prisma ultra fine glitter to the sticky surface.

10. Adhere the three non-glittered die cuts together to create a thick, stacked die cut. Adhere the glittered die cut to the top of the stack. Optional: If using a circle greeting, as shown here, cut away the circle to create a standalone greeting word die cut. Reserve the glittered circle for another project.


18

Supplies:• Simon Says Stamp Lattice Grid Background Stamp (SSS)• Simon Says Stamp Are We There Yet Dies and Stamps (SSS)• Simon Says Stamp Large Party Circle Die (SSS)• Simon Says Stamp Nested Circles Dies (SSS)• Winsor & Newton Watercolors (SSS | EH)• Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (SSS | EH)• VersaMark Ink (SSS | EH)• Simon Says Stamp Clear Embossing Powder (SSS)• Simon Says Stamp White Embossing Powder (SSS)• Inkadinkado Embossing Magic Powder Bag (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• Ranger Craft Sheet (SSS | EH)• Winsor & Newton University Size 12 Round Brush (DB)• EK Success Tweezers (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Ultra Fine Prisma Glitter (SSS | EH)• Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins Mixed Sizes

(SSS | EH)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• Simon Says Stamp Doll Pink Cardstock (SSS)• Neenah White Cardstock 250 Pack (SSS | EH)• Neenah White Cardstock 25 Pack (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch Double-Sided Foam Tape (SSS | EH)• Stick It Adhesive Large Sheets (SSS | EH)• Tombow Mono Multi Glue (SSS | EH)• Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue (SSS | EH)• Quilled Creations Precision Tip Empty Applicator Bottle

(SSS | EH)

11. Adhere the glittered greeting word die cut to the card.

12. Prepare a small strip of Doll Pink cardstock for embossing by pouncing a powder tool or powder bag over the cardstock.

13. Stamp a complementary greeting in VersaMark ink on the prepared strip (“Let’s”). Heat emboss using White embossing powder.

14. Snip a triangle in the right end of the embossed strip to create a banner/ribbon end. Adhere the greeting banner to the card.

15. Embellish the card with Clear sequins, as desired.

Tips & Tricks to Note• As you’re determining your desired water-to-

pigment ratio, use a piece of scratch watercolor

paper to test the watercolor as you mix the

water with the pigment. This is especially

helpful when you’re just starting to get used

to your paints and paper.

• This idea is a great one to try using Distress Inks in

place of traditional watercolors!

• When painting, make sure you overlap colors

that will create a nice blend (secondary or tertiary

colors). Be careful not to overlap colors that will

create a muddy shade or brown, such as purple and

yellow. Refer back to the Pre-Class Lesson for more

information about color mixing.












































19

Day 2 Notes:


20

Day 3 - Stamped Scenes

Negative Paintingby Dawn Woleslagle

Negative painting is where you bring something to the forefront by painting behind it.

Negative Painting – Sketch1. Draw a three-sided cube on watercolor paper

using a pencil. This will be your test object as you learn to negative paint.

2. Load a flat brush with your choice of paint, and paint the side of the cube, and then the top of the cube (wet-on-dry). Leave the front of the cube unpainted. The side will be darkest, the top will be lighter, and the front will be lightest/white.

3. Using the chiseled tip of the flat brush, tap to draw a little arrow indicating where the light will be coming from—this will serve as a reminder as you work.

4. Allow the top and bottom sides of the cube to dry completely before moving forward.

5. Load the flat brush with paint, using a high pigment-to-water ratio. Paint along the bottom outside edge of the cube (the unpainted face), working toward the arrow. The paint will fade out slightly as you approach the arrow.

6. Using the same pigment-to-water ratio, paint along the side outside edge of the cube (the unpainted face), pulling the color down toward the arrow.


21

7. Pick up clean water from your glass, and soften the edges of the lines out into the surrounding area, and back behind the cube. The surrounding color paint will be darkest directly along the unpainted face of the cube.

Negative Painting – Stamped8. Stamp a shape outline in light colored,

waterproof dye ink (leaf stamped in Hayride shown here).

9. Load a round brush with pigment similar in color to your stamped outline (yellow). Paint in the stamped shape and soften the edges out beyond the stamped lines.

10. While the paint is still wet, load the brush with another shade of paint (blue), using a high pigment-to-water ratio. Drop the paint in varying places inside the stamped shape (wet-on-wet), creating areas of a secondary shade (green), which will spread as the water allows.

11. While the paint is still wet, load the brush with the same shade as Step 3 with a higher pigment-to-water ratio. Drop the paint in along the edges of the stamped shape to add detail. Because it has a higher degree of pigment than the previous layers, it will not spread as far, creating intensity along the edge of the shape.

12. Allow the painted shape to dry completely before moving forward.

13. Load the round brush with paint, using a high pigment-to-water ratio. Trace around the outside edges of the shape, varying the pigment-to-water ratio (intensity) as you go to create variety. Vary the pigment colors used, as desired. Remember to fill in any gaps in the stamped image where the background would show through (between leaves, for example), and continue with the same color intensity where the background would progress into the area outside the stamped shape.

14. Load your brush with clear, clean water and soften the edges of the tracing out into the surrounding area.

15. Optional: Add detail to the background by sketching in additional shapes using your brush, and softening the edges.

Tips & Tricks to Note• By painting an object in varying intensities of the same color, you

can make it appear as if it’s being lit. The lightest side of the object

is where the light is shining on it. Then, by painting around the

object, you bring the lightest area forward and create dimension in

your watercolor.

• For negative painting, you will want your paper to remain wet

as long as possible, so that you can manipulate the watercolor

surrounding your stamped or drawn object. The better the paper

you are using, the longer it will stay wet.

• This technique uses a combination of techniques from Day 1: wet-

on-dry, wet-on-wet, and softening edges.

Supplies:• WPlus9 Autumn Leaves Stamps (SSS | EH)• M Graham & Co Ultramarine Blue Tube Watercolor (DB)• M Graham & Co Prussian Blue Watercolor Tube (DB)• Winsor & Newton Aureolin Watercolor Tube (DB)• WPlus9 Hayride Dye Ink (WP9)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Synthetic Stable 1/2" Wash

Brush (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 5 Round Brush (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 10 Round Brush (DB)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• Saunders Waterford 140 lb Cold Press Watercolor

Block (DB)














22

So Very Grateful (Leaves)by Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 4" x 52"

Instructions1. Secure a panel of watercolor paper to

movable work surface using painter’s tape.

2. Working from the upper left corner to the lower right corner, stamp a series of leaves using light colored, waterproof dye ink (Hayride).

3. Spritz the secured panel with water to allow for wet-on-wet watercolor techniques.

4. Loosely paint over the leaves using a round brush and your lightest color of ink, similar to the color in which you stamped the leaves (yellow). Allow the color to bleed out over the stamped lines.

5. While the paint is still wet, load the brush with another shade of paint (red). Loosely drop the paint in varying places inside the leaves creating areas of a secondary shade (orange), which will spread as the water allows.

6. Randomly spatter the second shade over the panel.

7. While the paint is still wet, load the brush with another shade of paint (blue). Loosely drop the paint in varying places inside the leaves creating areas of a secondary shades (purple and green) and brown (where blue and orange mix), which will spread as the water allows.

8. Randomly spatter the third shade over the panel.

9. While the paint is still wet, load the brush with your first shade (yellow). Loosely drop the paint over areas dominated by the third shade (blue) to intensify the areas of the resultant secondary color (green), which will spread as the water allows.


23

10. Randomly spatter the first shade over the panel.

11. Optional: If there are areas of too much color intensity, wick away some of the color using a dry, “thirsty” brush or paper towel.

12. Tilt your work surface back and forth to encourage water and color movement, wicking away excess water with a paper towel.

13. While the paint is still wet, but not saturated, drop in additional color as desired. Because the paper is less saturated, the color added at this point will move less, allowing you to add definition to the edges of the leaves.

14. Allow the panel to dry completely before moving forward.

15. Working in one area at a time, lightly re-wet the paper using a damp brush. Keep your brushwork light in order to avoid re-activating the paint.

16. Referencing your glazing chart from the Pre-Class exercises, paint around the leaves (negative painting), selecting colors that will glaze well over the color already on the panel and blend neatly into the adjacent colors. Avoid deliberately outlining the leaves—keep some of the edges soft in order to maximize the watercolor effect with “lost and found” leaf edges. Pro tip: Each time you put down color, make sure the pigment is thicker than the area you’re dropping the color into. As you work, your pigment should get thicker and thicker (higher pigment-to-water ratio).

17. Spatter color over the panel, as desired.

18. Paint in the indication of veins in the leaves, as desired, selecting a color that will blend in and not stand out too much.


20. Once the panel is dry, repeat Step 16 as needed for additional color intensity and contrast around the edges.

Supplies:• WPlus9 Autumn Leaves Stamps (SSS | EH)• Wplus9 Grateful Greetings Stamps (SSS | EH)• WPlus9 Hayride Dye Ink (WP9)• WPlus9 Black Dye Ink (WP9)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 10 Round Brush (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 5 Round Brush (DB)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• MISTI Stamping Tool Kit (SSS)• Saunders Waterford 140 lb Cold Press Watercolor

Block (DB)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painters Tape (SSS | EH)


22. Remove the painter’s tape. Pro tip: If you remove the tape and decide that it doesn’t look quite right now that the colors aren’t surrounded by the blue tape, re-tape and repeat Step 16 as needed to adjust the colors.

23. Stamp a greeting in Black ink on the watercolor panel (“So very grateful”). Stamp multiple times if needed to get crisp lettering on the textured paper.

24. Adhere the completed panel to a Black card.

Tips & Tricks to Note• Spritzing water instead of brushing it will create uneven amounts

of water over the panel, resulting in interesting textures and color

blends.

• Securing your project to a movable work surface will allow you

to tilt your project, which encourages water movement. This will

quickly reveal areas where too much water has pooled, and you

can wick it away with a paper towel. Removing the excess water will

prevent runbacks, blooms, and areas of uneven drying.

• When creating a look like this, avoid deliberately outlining each of

your stamped shapes as you add the negative painting. The “lost

and found” edges in watercolors, where some pop and some fade

into the background, create an eye-catching effect that people are

drawn to.

• Put extra thought into your color choices and you’ll be more

confident when you put down your brushstrokes. If your colors are

well thought out, you’ll have to do less fiddling when your brush

actually touches the paper. The less fiddling you have to do, the

better your results.
















24

Lifting - So Very Grateful (Rose)by Dawn WoleslagleCard sizes: 6d" x 5"

Wet Lifting1. Select a small flat brush, ensure it’s clean,

and then remove all of the water to create a “thirsty” brush.

2. Tap and drag the thirsty brush over a wet painted area to remove the color from that area. The surrounding paint will automatically bleed back into the lifted area, softening the edges.

3. Wipe the lifted paint onto a paper towel to avoid transferring back onto the project.

4. Repeat Steps 2–3 as desired.

Instructions1. Create an A4 card from watercolor paper—do

not fold at this time. Using painter’s tape, secure the front of the card to a movable work surface and mask off the back of the card along the fold.

2. Offset of center, stamp a flower (wild rose) in light colored, waterproof ink (Fairy Dust) on the card. Use the lightest waterproof ink from your stash.

3. Brush clean water over the stamped card front.

4. Using a round brush, drop heavily pigmented yellow paint into the center of the flower. Add orange details using the brush tip.

5. Load the round brush with pink paint, using a high pigment-to-water ratio. Use the shape of the brush to help loosely drop color in over the flower’s petals, avoiding the flower center. Allow the color to bleed over the stamped lines. Because you have more pigment in your paint than water, the shape of the flower will be retained and the paint won’t flow uncontrollably.


25

6. To the side of the stamped flower, lay in some additional pink using the shape of the brush and loose strokes to create the impression of a smaller flower. Use the shape of the brush to create a bud above the stamped flower.

7. Use a wet lifting technique to lift the color from around the center of the flower. Work in lightly curving lines, brushing away from the yellow flower center to create a highlight around this area.

8. Use a wet lifting technique to define petals on the flower, following the stamped image as a guide. Lift away color where the light would hit the edges of the petals, as shown in the Day 3 video.

9. Use a wet lifting technique to create the indication of petals in the smaller flower and bud created in Step 6, as shown in the Day 3 video.

10. If the paper has fully dried, add clean, clear water around the flower to continue working using a wet-on-wet technique.

11. Mix a light green paint on your palette with a high pigment-to-water ratio. Load the color on your round brush and, using the shape of your brush, paint a leaf, dragging the brush to touch the flower. The leaf will bleed out where it catches water.

12. Continue painting in leaves around the flower as shown in the Day 3 video, carefully concentrating the color around the edges of the flower to create a negative painting effect and define the edges of the petals.

13. Using the tip of your brush, connect the bud to the larger flower by painting a stem at the base of the bud and a calyx wrapping up around the bud.

14. Drop in blue paint to deepen some of the leaves, as desired.


26

15. Drop in green and blue paint around the smaller flower impression to create the impression of leaves, as shown in the Day 3 video.

16. Paint a stem for the larger flower using thicker marks, rather than one continuous stroke. Connect the smaller flower to the larger flower by painting a connecting stem branching off from the main stem.

17. Paint in additional leaves to further define the edge of the large flower and add detail to your scene, as shown in the Day 3 video.

18. Mix a teal paint on your palette with a high pigment-to-water ratio. Load the color on your round brush, and drop the color in to define the top edge of the smaller flower, as shown in the Day 3 video. Drop the teal shade in other areas of the scene to balance out the addition of the new color.


20. Use a wet lifting technique to create definition between the leaves, bringing some forward by lifting color from the edges, as shown in the Day 3 video.

21. Use a wet lifting technique to lift color from the leaves to create veins, as shown in the Day 3 video. Remember, curved veins create the indication that the leaf is turned and lifting the color from the tip of a leaf will create the appearance that the leaf is folded.

22. Use a wet lifting technique to lift color from one side of the stem, creating the illusion that the stem is round, as shown in the Day 3 video.

23. Use a wet lifting technique to define the bud calyx, as shown in the Day 3 video.

Supplies:• Tim Holtz Garden Flower 5 Stamp (SSS)• WPlus9 Fairy Dust Dye Ink (WP9)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 5 Round Brush (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 10 Round Brush (DB)• Robert Simmons Sapphire Brushes for Watercolors (DB)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• Saunders Waterford 140 lb Cold Press Watercolor

Block (DB)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painters Tape (SSS | EH)












27

24. Use a glazing technique to add depth to the flower and shadows under some petals, referencing your glazing chart for color selection. Soften the edges of the shadows with lines of clean, clear water. Pro tip: Do not work the softening lines with your brush—you don’t want to re-activate the color underneath.

25. Using a small round brush and a variety of colors, add the details of the stamen to the center of the flower, as shown in the Day 3 video.

26. Randomly spatter teal paint over the panel, using your hand to shield the large flower from the spatters.

27. Remove the painter’s tape.

28. Stamp a greeting (“So very grateful”) in Black ink on the card.

29. Option: Die cut the watercolored card front panel using a stitched rectangle die before adding the greeting. Adhere the die-cut watercolor panel to a card.

Option: Finish by folding the card. (Not needed if Optional Step 29 is completed.)

Tips & Tricks to Note• Often, when using lifting to create highlights, less is more.

You’re using highlights to give the impression of details and

dimension, so work lightly and don’t over do it.

• Don’t rush when painting a flower like this—be very

deliberate and decisive about color placement.

• As you’re working the negative painting around the

flower, if the paint begins to dry (our damp danger zone!),

don’t keep working in that area. Allow the paper to dry

completely and come back to that area later. Once fully dry,

you can drop in some clean, clear water and carry on.

• Tip for improvement: Take two pieces of your own work

and compare them side-by-side. Which areas look great

to you and where do you think you went wrong? In your

next painting, focus on the things that went right on your

last effort and try not to repeat the same mistakes. This will

boost your creativity and confidence!


28

Building a Sceneby Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 4" x 52"

Scene Templates1. Stamp your focal image on vellum using

StazOn ink. This is your focal image template.

2. Sketch a scene on vellum using a pencil. When you’re happy with the scene, trace over it using a Micron archival marker. The marker will smear until it’s dried, so work to avoid dragging your dominant hand across the drawing. Heat set to dry. This is your background template. Option: Using StazOn ink, stamp individual elements from your stash to build the scene.

3. Secure a watercolor paper panel or unfolded card to your work surface using painter’s tape.

4. Position the background template over the watercolor paper panel and secure top edge to your work surface using painter’s tape.

5. Position the focal image template over the background template and secure it to the previous layer using painter’s tape.

6. Flip the background template up. Position a sheet of graphite transfer paper between the watercolor paper and the background template, making sure the graphite side is down. Flip the background template down.

7. Using a pencil, trace the background scene, but not the focal image. Use just enough pressure to barely transfer the image onto the watercolor paper panel.

8. Remove the templates and graphite paper to reveal the transferred scene.

9. Using light colored, waterproof ink, stamp your focal image in place. Erase any scene lines that would be hidden behind the focal image.

10. Reserve templates for use on future projects.


29

Scumbling1. Scumble is a glazing technique where the

higher-pigment topcoat is painted on in uneven bursts instead of a solid motion, creating texture.

2. Allow the first layer of paint to dry completely.

3. Load a brush with high pigment-to-water ratio paint. You want the paint to be fairly dry for this technique.

4. Lay your brush on its side, and drag it across the painted surface.

Scraping1. Ensure the area you want to texturize has

multiple layers of pigment. Add more if needed before proceeding.

2. Scrape away a top layer of pigment using a palette knife.

Stippling1. This technique involves pouncing highly

pigmented color onto an area using a stiff bristle brush. The up/down motion of stippling creates highly uneven concentrations of tiny dots… perfect for adding grass to a scene.

Supplies:• Art Impressions Happy Fall Stamps (SSS)• Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Travel Set (DB)• Jet Black StazOn Ink (SSS | EH)• WPlus9 Warm Wool Dye Ink (WP9)• Sakura Fine Lines Pigma Micron Pens (SSS)• Frayed Burlap Distress Marker (SSS | EH)• Ranger Artist Brushes (SSS | EH | IE)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• EK Success Honey Bee Non-Stick Scissors (SSS)• MISTI Stamping Tool Kit (SSS)• Strathmore Watercolor Cards Box of 10 (DB)• Bazzill White 40 lb Vellum Sheets (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painters Tape (SSS | EH)• Other: mechanical pencil, pencil, Mona Liza Graphite

Paper, cutting board, paper towel, palette knife, old stiff brush






















30

Punkinby Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 6d" x 5"

Instructions1. Follow Steps 1–8 of the Scene Template

instructions to create a pumpkin patch background scene on an unfolded watercolor paper card.

2. Position the focal image template (scarecrow) over the sign in the background scene, so the bird is sitting on the sign. Secure the template’s top edge to the card using painter’s tape.

3. Follow Steps 6–8 of the Scene Template instructions to transfer the bird to the card.

4. Mask the bird on the scarecrow stamp using a sticky note. Ink the stamp with light colored, waterproof ink (Warm Wool ink shown here). Remove the mask, and stamp the scarecrow in place on the card.

5. Using a pencil, sketch an apple in the scarecrow’s hand.

6. Using painter’s tape, secure the front of the card to a movable work surface and mask off the back of the card along the fold.

7. Using a flat brush and clean, clear water, wet the sky and ground areas of the scene, being careful to avoid wetting the pumpkins, bird, sign, apple, and scarecrow. It’s okay for the tree to have an under layer of blue.

8. Load a brush with blue paint, and loosely paint the sky areas (wet-on-wet), allowing the water to distribute the paint.

9. Load a brush with yellow-brown paint, and loosely paint the ground area (wet-on-wet).

10. Use a wet lifting technique to create clouds in the sky.

11. Allow the background to dry completely before moving forward.


31

12. Watercolor the scarecrow, bird, pumpkins, and apple using the techniques from Day 1 and Day 3, as shown in the Day 3 video.

13. Load a brush with light brown paint, and paint the tree. Allow the tree to dry completely.

14. Using a scumbling technique and dark brown paint, add a second layer of paint to the tree. The dark brown paint is fairly dry, so you can scumble in additional texture as needed without softening out the texture you’ve already created.

15. Using a palette knife, scrape away some of the pigment on the tree for additional texture, if desired.

16. Lay down a light wash of light brown mixed with a little blue paint on the sign and its post.

17. Using a small flat brush and a higher pigment concentration of the same paint mix, scumble in horizontal lines on the sign and vertical lines on the post to create wood grain.

18. Create a mix of green and yellow paint with a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Loosely paint over the ground area with this mix, skipping some spots on the ground for an uneven glaze.

19. Load your brush with more of the green and yellow paint, and wick away some of the water using a paper towel to up the pigment concentration. Scumble a layer of the green-yellow mix to create grass texture.

20. Allow the ground to dry completely. As it dries, move on to the next step.

21. With the light source coming from the upper left, add shadows to the scarecrows using a glazing technique and a high pigment-to-water ratio. Do not soften the lines.

22. Add vibrancy to the pumpkins and sign by glazing in just a little additional, deep color.

23. With the light source coming from the upper left, add shadows to the bird, apple, sign, and pumpkins using a glazing technique and a high pigment-to-water ratio. Do not soften the lines.

24. Repeat Steps 22–23 as needed. Do not overwork; allow each layer to dry completely before returning to that area.

25. Using a stiff bristle brush, mix a deep, warm green paint with a high pigment-to-water ratio. Load the brush, and stipple it over a few ground areas to create highly concentrated dots of color—grass. Using a flicking motion, create some small areas where the blades of grass are growing upward.

26. Using clean, clear water, soften some of the stippled areas into the surrounding ground.

27. Allow the ground area to dry completely before moving forward.

28. With the light source coming from the upper left, add shading below the pumpkins and scarecrow.

29. Using a small round brush, mix blue and brown to create a black paint with a high pigment-to-water ratio. The paint should be mostly pigment. Trace the letters on the sign using the tip of the brush.

30. Remove the tape.

31. Trace over the sketched/graphite lines in the image using a marker that matches the ink you used for stamping (Frayed Burlap Distress Ink shown here). This step will marry the sketched portion of the scene to the stamped focal point.

32. Finish by folding the card.


32

Tips & Tricks to Note• In order to get a natural looking scene, allow your

underpinnings—your ground and sky—to meet and

merge a little. Put them down at the same time using

a wet-on-wet technique to avoid a hard line between

the two.

• Scumbling is a glazing technique where the higher-

pigment topcoat is painted on in uneven bursts

instead of a solid motion, creating texture. This

technique is perfect for adding dimension to natural

elements, such as trees!

• Another way to give your scene texture? Use a

palette knife (not a craft knife!) to scrap away a top

layer of pigment. This works best when the area

being scrapped is already heavily painted.

• Stippling is another quick way to create texture.

Make sure you have a stiff bristle brush that can

handle the pouncing motion needed for this

technique. Your watercolor brush bristles will bend,

and you won’t be able to achieve the desired effect.

Supplies:• Art Impressions Happy Fall Stamps (SSS)• Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Travel Set (DB)• Jet Black StazOn Ink (SSS | EH)• WPlus9 Warm Wool Dye Ink (WP9)• Sakura Fine Lines Pigma Micron Pens (SSS)• Frayed Burlap Distress Marker (SSS | EH)• Ranger Artist Brushes (SSS | EH | IE)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• EK Success Honey Bee Non-Stick Scissors (SSS)• MISTI Stamping Tool Kit (SSS)• Strathmore Watercolor Cards Box of 10 (DB)• Bazzill White 40 lb Vellum Sheets (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painters Tape (SSS | EH)• Other: mechanical pencil, pencil, Mona Liza Graphite

Paper, cutting board, paper towel, palette knife, old stiff brush






















33

Day 3 Notes:


34

Day 4 - Stamped Scenes: Examples

Everythingby Shari CarrollCard size: 44" x 52"

Instructions1. Secure a watercolor paper panel to a

moveable surface using painter’s tape.

2. Stamp a coffee cup blueprint image in light colored, dye ink (Fossil shown here) on the panel.

3. Spritz water over the panel from the top left to the bottom right corner. This will allow for wet-on-wet techniques with the paint flowing from one corner to the opposite.

4. Load a brush with yellow paint using a high water-to-pigment ratio. Drop the color into the cup areas of the image, allowing the water to distribute the color naturally.

5. As shown in the Day 4 video, drop in shadows of red and burnt umber paint along the edges (wet-on-wet), allowing the colors to naturally blend to orange, without working them with your brush.

6. As shown in the Day 4 video, drop in additional layers of yellow paint along the edges (wet-on-wet) without working the color in to add an additional layer of the underlying pigment.

7. Paint in a very light layer of yellow on the coffee cup cap, using a high water ratio.

8. Repeat Steps 5–6 as desired.

9. Paint in a negative layer of teal and brown around the cup, as shown in the Day 4 video.


35

10. Stop after the first layer of negative painting, and allow the work to dry, as the colors will begin to bleed into the cup area.

11. Once the work is dry, continue to glaze in color around the cup and deepen the negative painting effect. Soften the edges and pick up excess water, as needed.

12. Allow the watercolor panel to dry completely before moving forward.

13. Glaze in any final layers of color.

14. Add detail and shading to the cap, using a flat brush or the tip of a round brush to draw in lines, as desired.

15. Allow the watercolor panel to dry completely before moving forward.

16. Adhere two greeting stickers to the panel.

17. Adhere the completed panel to a top-folding card using foam adhesive (Fossil cardstock shown here).

Tips & Tricks to Note• The direction in which you spritz or brush water will

influence the direction your paints flow.

• Remember: watercolors will always look brighter

when they’re wet. You may not need to add water to

get the final intensity that you desire for your project.

The key is to know your paint—reference your charts

from the Pre-Class Exercises.

Supplies:• Tim Holtz Freshly Brewed Blueprint Stamps (SSS | EH)• Gansai Tambi 24 Color Set (SSS | EH)• Simon Says Stamp Fossil Dye Ink (SSS)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• Silver Black Velvet Round 2 Paint Brush (SSS)• Tim Holtz Idea-ology ChitChat Stickers (SSS | EH)• Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock (SSS | EH)• Other: masking tape, spray bottle, foam adhesive,

card base














36

Thinking of You My Friendby Tasnim AhmedCard size: 52" x 44"

Instructions1. Secure a panel of watercolor paper to a

movable surface using painter’s tape.

2. Ink a bicycle stamp with Black archival ink. Stamp off the ink on scratch paper several times before stamping the image onto your watercolor paper panel. This will make the image look as though it’s been sketched with a graphite pencil.

3. Using a pencil, sketch in lines to represent the beach, the sea, and the sky.

4. Sketch details into the scene, including a basket on the bicycle, flower, a Para sailor, and sailboats, as desired.

5. Lighten any lines, as needed, using a clean eraser.

6. Brush clean, clear water over the beach area of the panel. Load a brush with yellow paint, and paint the beach (wet-on-wet), as shown in the Day 4 video. Allow the watercolors to dry completely before continuing.

7. Using yellow, brown, and red paint with a higher pigment-to-water ratio than used in Step 6, drop in color to create shadows on the beach, as shown in the Day 4 video.

8. Brush clean, clear water over the sea area of the panel. Load a brush with blue paint, and paint the sea (wet-on-wet), as shown in the Day 4 video. Allow the watercolors to dry completely before continuing.

9. Use negative painting techniques and blue paint to bring forward the handles of the bicycle and the basket of flowers, as shown in the Day 4 video.


37

10. Load a brush with dark blue paint with a high pigment-to-water ratio, and paint the bicycle frame (wet-on-dry).

11. Load the brush with a dark gray paint using a high water-to-pigment ratio, and paint the tires, gears, pedals, axels, and spokes on the bicycle.

12. Allow the bicycle to dry completely.

13. Use scumbling, negative painting, and lifting techniques to create waves in the ocean.

14. Add details and shadows to the bicycle using glazing techniques. Do not soften the shadow lines.

15. Load a brush with light brown paint using a high water-to-pigment ratio, and paint basket.

16. Load a brush with dark gray paint using a high pigment-to-water ratio, and paint the handlebars and seat of the bicycle.

17. Brush clean, clear water over the sky area of the panel. Load a brush with light blue paint, and paint the sky (wet-on-wet), as shown in the Day 4 video. Use a lifting technique to create clouds in the sky. Allow the sky area to dry completely.

18. Load a brush with red-orange paint using a medium pigment-to-water ratio, and paint the flowers. Once the flowers are completely dry, drop in some green to represent leaves.

19. Once the sky is dry, load a brush with red-orange paint using a medium pigment-to-water ratio, and paint the sailboats and Para sailor. Add details to the sails using dark gray paint and the fine tip of a round brush.

20. Add seagulls (wide v shapes) to sky using dark gray paint and the fine tip of a round brush.

21. Allow the panel to dry before continuing.

22. Stamp a greeting in Black ink on the panel.

23. Adhere the completed panel to a top-folding Black card using foam adhesive.

Supplies:• Altenew Shadow Play Stamp Set (SSS | EH)• Sakura Koi Watercolors Set of 24 w/ Waterbrush (SSS | EH)• Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink (SSS | EH)• Other: 140 lb watercolor paper, #1 and #5 round brushes,

acrylic block, pencil, masking tape, black foam, adhesive tape

Tips & Tricks to Note• If using a dark ink to stamp images for watercolors, consider

stamping off the image to lighten the ink before stamping on

your project. Doing so will lessen the likelihood of the dark ink

overpowering your watercolors.

• Tasnim approached her scene creation in a slightly different manner

than Dawn did—she stamped, and then sketched the scene directly

on the panel around the stamped image. Either way works! The

template approach is a great choice if you want to repeat the card

design in the future.








38

Autumn Notecardby Sandy AllnockCard size: 7" x 5"

Instructions1. Secure a 52" x 72" watercolor paper panel to

a movable work surface using painter’s tape

2. Position a reindeer stencil on the panel, and lightly trace using a pencil. Option: Turn the stencil before tracing the reindeer’s head. Lightly erase the pencil lines so they’re barely visible.

3. Load a round brush with yellow ochre paint, using a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Paint the deer (wet-on-dry) as shown in the Day 4 video. Allow the paint to dry completely before continuing.

4. Load the brush with rust paint, using a higher pigment-to-water ratio than used on the first layer of the deer. Glaze the image as shown in the Day 4 video.

5. Lift color from the deer’s feet using a paper towel. Erase any remaining pencil lines. Move on to working on the ground area of the panel as the deer dries.

6. Load the brush with yellow ocher paint using a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Paint over the deer’s feet in loose, broad strokes, working the color toward the bottom of the panel to paint in the ground.

7. Using the tip of the brush, pull (flick) color upward from the top edge of the ground to create tall blades of yellow grass.

8. Allow the ground to dry completely. While the ground dries, continue work on the deer.

9. Load a brush with brown paint using a high pigment-to-water ratio. Add shading to the deer’s body and antlers using a glazing technique, as shown in the Day 4 video.


39

10. Paint the deer’s eye using high-pigment brown paint and the tip of the brush, as shown in the Day 4 video.

11. Using the same brown as on the deer, paint (flick upward) a few lines in patches around the ground area, using the tip of your brush. As each cluster is added, tilt your brush to allow more water to seep into the tip, and blend out the painted lines into the rest of the painting. Repeat as shown in the Day 4 video.

12. Repeat Step 11 to add a few clusters of green grass, in addition to the brown.

13. Repeat Step 11 using the green paint, pulling the paint down instead of flicking up—this creates patches of negative grass, allowing the light paint underneath to pop forward.

14. Lightly sketch clouds, mountains, a river, and trees on the panel using a pencil.

15. Load a brush with blue paint, and paint the sky above the mountains to help define the area. Soften the paint into the above area using clean, clear water. Repeat the negative painting around the clouds, as shown in the Day 4 video.

16. Load a bush with blue-gray paint using a light pigment-to-water ratio. Paint the furthest (smallest) mountain first—it will be the lightest. Increase your pigment ratio and add more shades as you work forward with each layer of mountains, as shown in the Day 4 video.

17. Load a brush with green paint. Paint the ground area along the river, softening it out toward the tree line, as shown in the Day 4 video. While the ground area is still wet, drop in shades of brown, orange, and rust (wet-on-wet).

18. Load a brush with yellow ochre paint using a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Paint the open spaces between the trees (negative painting), as shown in the Day 4 video. Allow these areas to dry completely before returning.

19. Load a brush with green paint using a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Paint the open spaces around the deer (negative painting), as shown in the Day 4 video. Allow this area to dry completely before returning.

20. Glaze green paint into select areas between the trees, using a higher pigment ratio, to create bushes and leaves as shown in the Day 4 video.

21. Glaze an additional layer of green paint into select areas around the deer using a higher pigment ratio. This deepens the foliage, as shown in the Day 4 video.

22. Repeat Step 20 using orange and brown to add an autumn touch to the foliage, as shown in the Day 4 video.

23. Return to the ground area, and add layers of yellow ochre and brown grass blades by flicking the brush upward and softening the bottom edge.

24. Paint the river using a deep blue or indigo paint, as shown in the Day 4 video.

25. Load a brush with blue paint using a light pigment-to-water ratio. Paint the trees light blue, as shown in the Day 4 video.

26. Load a brush with dark gray paint, and add markings (birch trees) to one side of each tree, as shown in the Day 4 video.

27. Add additional details to the foliage and grass, including a far away tree line, as desired.

28. Allow the panel to dry completely, and remove the painter’s tape.

29. Trim the panel to fit a 5” x 7” card. Mat the panel as desired, and adhere to a landscape-oriented, top-folding Black card.


40

Supplies:• Hero Arts Merry Christmas Reindeer Stencil (SSS | EH)• Gansai 36 Piece Watercolor Set (SSS | EH)• Gansai Tambi 36 Color Set (DB)• Silver Black Velvet Round 6 Paint Brush (DB)• Prismacolor Colored Pencil Accessory

(for kneaded eraser) (SSS)• Arches Rough 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• FrogTape Delicate Surface Masking Tape (SSS | EH)

Tips & Tricks to Note• When creating a natural-looking scene, yellow is

a great option for painting your underpinnings.

It will add warmth to your scene, which is especially

great for autumn or summer watercolors. Remember

to reference your glazing chart before laying color

on top.

• Don’t want to draw or watercolor animal feet? Hide

them with grass, a snow bank, or flowers… whatever

works best for your scene.

• Keep an eye on each area of your painting in

relation to the rest of the scene—you want the

level of detail and color in the items close to

you to be higher than in those areas that are far

away. Each area that is relatively the same distance

from you should have the same level of detail and

strength of color.













41

Helloby Debby HughesCard size: 32" x 5"

Instructions1. Secure a 32" x 5" watercolor paper panel to a

movable work surface using painter’s tape.

2. Brush clear, clean water over the panel to allow for wet-on-wet techniques.

3. Load a brush with aqua paint using a high pigment-to-water ratio. Loosely drop the paint in on the wet panel, working from the top right corner down toward the bottom left. Heat set to dry, or allow this area to dry completely before continuing.

4. Mix a teal paint using a low pigment-to-water ratio. Load your brush with the color, and make sure to remove excess water from your brush.

5. Position a Leaves stencil over the watercolor panel, and paint in the leaves using the stencil as a guide.

6. Soften some of the edges using clear, clean water to create “lost and found” edges, as shown in the Day 4 video. Allow the leaves to dry completely before continuing.

7. Using light colored, waterproof ink (Fog), stamp appropriately sized leaf outline images over the watercolor leaves, reserving spaces for adding flowers later on.

8. Glaze in shading along one side of several leaves, using the same teal paint. Add highlights, as desired, using a wet lifting technique.

9. Paint in the impression of additional leaves in the background, using the shape of the brush to guide the shape of the leaves.

10. Heat set, or allow the panel to dry completely before continuing.


42

Supplies:• WPlus9 Hand Lettered Hello Stamp Set (SSS | EH)• Winnie and Walter In Bloom Elsas Flora Stamps (SSS)• Simon Says Stamp Leaves Stencil (SSS)• Winsor & Newton Watercolors (SSS | EH)• Simon Says Stamp Fog Dye Ink (SSS)• VersaMark Ink (SSS | EH | IE)• Versafine Smokey Gray Pigment Ink (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• EK Success Powder Tool (SSS | EH)• MISTI Stamping Tool Kit (SSS)• Simon Says Stamp Silver Embossing Powder (SSS)• Mini Spoons (SSS)• Sistema Klip It Square Embossing Containers (AZ)• EK Success Honey Bee Non-Stick Scissors (SSS)• Stainless Tweezers (EH)• Little Things From Lucy’s Cards (SSS)• Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins Mixed Sizes

(SSS | EH)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• Simon Says Stamp Fog Cardstock (SSS)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painter’s Tape (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch Double-Sided Foam Tape (SSS | EH)• Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue (SSS | EH)• Quilled Creations Precision Tip Empty Applicator Bottle

(SSS | EH)• Other: brushes, palette, paper towel, acrylic blocks

11. Load a round brush with clean, clear water, and paint a flower using the shape of the brush to guide the shape of the flower.

12. Mix a coral paint using a low pigment-to-water ratio. Load your brush with the color.

13. Drop the paint into the water-painted flower, allowing the water to distribute the color (wet-on-wet)

14. Add additional color to create shading on the flower, as desired, using a wet-on-wet technique, as shown in the Day 4 video.

15. Repeat Steps 11–14 to create additional flowers.

16. Mix a higher pigment concentration of the teal paint. Using a Size 1 fine detail brush, paint additional leaf veins, stems, and details, as shown in the Day 4 video.

17. Repeat Steps 9 and 16 to create additional leaves to fill in any odd open spaces, as needed.

18. Heat set, or allow the panel to dry completely before continuing.

19. Spatter coral and teal paint over the panel, and heat set.

20. Remove the painter’s tape.

21. Prepare the panel for heat embossing by pouncing a powder tool or bag over the panel to reduce static and prevent stray embossing powder from sticking to un-inked areas.

22. Stamp a greeting word (“Hello”) in VersaMark ink on the panel. Repeat as needed to ensure a crisply stamped image on the textured paper. Heat emboss using Silver embossing powder.

23. Stamp a complementary greeting (“Sweet friend”) in gray pigment ink (Smokey Gray) below the embossed word. Repeat as needed to ensure a crisply stamped image on the textured paper.

24. Adhere the completed panel to a 4-Bar card (Fog cardstock) using foam adhesive.

25. Embellish the card using sequins, as desired.

Tips & Tricks to Note• Do a test run of your watercolor panel as you try out different

dilutions of color. Plus, as both Dawn and Debby have shown us,

you may want to compare two versions of the same design side-by-

side and decide which you prefer to use on a card.

• Be sure to remove any sticky residue left over from your painter’s

tape, especially if you’re using a technique like embossing on your

card. The embossing powder will find any remaining sticky spaces

(it’s talented that way).






































43

Day 4 Notes:


44

Day 5 - Expressive Florals & Leaves

Expressive Floralsby Dawn Woleslagle

Large Flower Instructions1. Using a brush, lay down some paint

with a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Work loosely to create a splotch roughly in the shape of a flower.

2. While the splotch is still wet, lay down some more intense pigment to create shading in the center of the splotch to create a flower silhouette (wet-on-wet).

3. Allow the flower to dry completely before continuing.

4. Use a lifting technique to add highlights to the flower and create the illusion of petal edges.

5. Glaze additional color into the center of the flower, to create the illusion that the center is concave.

6. Add glazing to create details on the petals, as desired. Soften the edges using clean, clear water.

Multi-Flower Cluster Instructions1. Using the tip of a brush, lay down several

spots of paint.

2. Load the brush with clean, clear water and soften the spots to create loose bud or petal shapes.

3. Add dots of green in between the petals, using the shape of the brush to create small leaves. This will complete the illusion of a flower.


45

4. Use lifting and glazing to add highlights and shading. Bring petals forward by adding negative painting using green paint.

5. Continue to build the flower adding stems, leaves, and additional petal clusters, as desired.

Bud Instructions1. Load a brush with color, and lay it down

in a round shape that comes to a point at the bottom.

2. Add green to the bottom of the bud, creating lines up around the sides of the bud (calyx).

3. Use lifting and glazing to add highlights and shading to the bud, as desired to create the illusion of folded petals.

Option: Use blends of color to create your flowers, instead of just one shade! And try any of the above ideas with any shape brush you have on hand!

Tips & Tricks to Note• You really can’t go wrong! Pretty much any brush

shape can look like a flower with little effort. Play

around with your brush shapes and pigment-to-

water ratios—you’ll soon discover your style! Don’t

be afraid to waste paper, either.

• Remember—we aren’t creating photo-realistic

flowers. The goal is to simply capture the expression

of the flowers through color, white space, and shape.

• Drawing on your understanding of negative painting

and color, use lifting and glazing techniques to

create dimension and perspective on your flowers.

• If you find yourself tightening up and drawing in too

much detail on your flowers, hold your brush further

away from the bristles. This will help you to loosen

up, which leads to more expressive brushstrokes.

• You don’t necessarily need to clean your brushes

between colors. The color that mixes on your brush

could create some pretty cool transitions.

• Go ahead and lay the colors down next to each

other while they’re still wet—they’ll merge and blend

to create some really interesting effects!

Supplies:• Gansai 36 Piece Watercolor Set (SSS | EH)• Gansai Tambi 36 Color Set (DB)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Size 4 Synthetic Brush (DB)• Fabriano Studio Cold Press Watercolor 8 x 10 Paper (DB)• Other: Princeton Neptune 1/2 Inch Synthetic Squirrel Brush







46

Helloby Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 44" x 52"

Instructions1. Load a large round brush (#14) with green

paint using a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Do not remove the excess water from your brush.

2. Press the brush to a watercolor paper panel to create a leaf shape. Draw in a few stems using the tip of the brush, as shown in the Day 5 video.

3. Working quickly and confidently, repeat to create multiple leaves-and-stems clusters, loading additional paint as needed. Be sure to leave spaces for flowers.

4. Load the brush with red paint using a medium pigment-to-water ratio. Do not remove the excess water from your brush.

5. Press the brush to the panel to create petal shapes, clustering the petals closely together and allowing the strokes to overlap, as shown in the Day 5 video.

6. Working quickly and confidently, repeat to create multiple petal clusters in the open spaces between the leaves, varying your pigment-to-water ratio to create color variation in your painting. Reload your brush as needed.

7. Fill the majority of the panel from the top right corner to the bottom left to create a cascading floral arrangement with a great deal of white space, as shown in the Day 5 video.

8. Add additional stems and leaves to visually connect the petal clusters and strengthen the overall effect, as shown in the Day 5 video. Allow the water to distribute the green into the petals, as it will.

9. While the leaves are still wet, deepen areas of the foliage by dropping in a deep blue shade.


47

10. While the petals are still wet, drop in indication of flower centers using yellow-gold paint with a higher pigment-to-water ratio.

11. Optional: If needed to tone down the intensity, deliberately create blooms by flicking in clean, clear water, then stopping the water using a paper towel.

12. Allow the panel to dry completely before continuing.

13. Add additional gold paint to glaze in flower centers, as desired.

14. Allow the panel to dry completely before continuing.

15. Stamp a greeting work (“Hello”) in VersaMark ink on White cardstock. Heat emboss the greeting using gold embossing powder. Trim to a rectangle.

16. Optional: Flip the watercolor panel so the cascade is from the bottom left to the top right. In the Day 5 video, this was done in order to place the greeting over an area in the watercolor that the artist didn’t like.

17. Adhere the greeting to the watercolor panel using foam adhesive.

18. Adhere the watercolor panel to an off-white (Oatmeal) card using foam adhesive.

Supplies:• Wplus9 Greetings and Salutations Stamps (SSS | EH)• M Graham & Co Sap Green Tube Watercolor (DB)• Daniel Smith Quinacridone Gold Tube Watercolor (DB)• M Graham & Co Alizarin Crimson Tube Watercolor (DB)• M Graham & Co Ultramarine Blue Tube Watercolor (DB)• M Graham & Co Prussian Blue Watercolor Tube (DB)• Gansai 36 Piece Watercolor Set (SSS | EH)• Gansai Tambi 36 Color Set (DB)• Da Vinci Cosmotop Spin Round Brush Size 14 (DB)• Ranger Artist Brushes (SSS | EH)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• VersaMark Ink (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• WPlus9 Oatmeal Cardstock (WP9)• 3M Scotch Double-Sided Foam Tape (SSS | EH)]• Other: gold embossing powder

Tips & Tricks to Note• These flowers are literally just brush marks on the paper… and can

take less than ten minutes from start to finish. This type of flower is

perfect for busy card makers.

• Using larger brushes when creating expressive florals means you

have to reload the brush less often and you can work more quickly.

Working quickly means your paint won’t dry up on you as you work.

• If you have areas that are too intense, deliberately create blooms by

flicking in clean, clear water, then stopping the spread of the water

using a dry paper towel.


























48

Hello (Roses)by Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 44" x 52"

Rose Instructions1. Load a round brush with paint using a low

pigment-to-water ratio, and remove the excess water. Paint a small circle.

2. Paint loose, short, curving lines, spiraling outward around the circle, leaving white breaks between the lines. Optional: Soften the lines to make the rose larger.

3. Allow the rose to dry completely.

4. Dot black paint into the center of the rose. Allow the rose to dry completely.

5. Using a high (undiluted) concentration of the same pigment, add detail by loosely following the curved lines you laid down in Step 2. Optional: Add a fine line or two outside the original rose shape.

6. Soften some of the lines using clean, clear water, and leave some of the lines hard.

7. Allow the rose to dry completely.

Card Instructions1. Following Steps 1-3 of the rose instructions

above, cover a watercolor paper panel with roses to create a background. Make sure to leave enough space between your roses for leaves.

2. As the roses dry, paint in a few leaves for each rose, using green paint with a high pigment-to-water ratio and the natural shape of the brush, as shown in the Day 5 video.

3. Complete the roses following Steps 4-7 of the rose instructions above.

4. Cut the completed background panel to fit on a card.


49

5. Stamp a greeting word (“Hello”) in VersaMark ink on torn Vellum. Heat emboss using Black embossing powder.

6. Adhere the greeting piece to a cardstock rectangle. Create a nest of Black thread.

7. Layer the greeting piece, cardstock, and thread nest, and adhere to the watercolor panel using foam adhesive.

8. Adhere the completed panel to a White card using foam adhesive.

Tips & Tricks to Note• This technique is easier if you have a low amount

of water on your brush. If you don’t like the look of

the brushstrokes, soften them out using clean, clear

water after you’ve painted the roses.

• When using the natural shape of a brush to create

leaves, two brushstrokes with a space between can

create a leaf with a white space “vein”.

• If you want to have your roses be more

impressionistic, you can stop at Step 3 in the video/

PDF instructions and not add the detail lines.

Supplies:• Gansai 36 Piece Watercolor Set (SSS | EH)• VersaMark Ink (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• Arches Hot Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• Bazzill White 40 lb Vellum Sheets (SSS | EH)• Other: size 4 round brush, black embossing powder, black

thread, white cardstock












50

Just a Noteby Dawn WoleslagleCard size: 4" x 52"

Instructions1. Load a brush with pink paint using a low

pigment-to-water ratio. Drop in loose brushstrokes on a watercolor paper panel using the shape of the brush to create a flower shape silhouette, as shown in the Day 5 video.

2. Drop in heavier concentrations of pigment to add shading and define petals. Allow the water already on the flower silhouette to distribute the shading (wet-on-wet).

3. Using a round brush and a low pigment-to-water ratio, drop green-gold paint into the center of the flower, as shown in the Day 5 video.

4. Drop in heavier concentrations of pigment to add intensity to the flower center. Allow the water already in the center to distribute the color (wet-on-wet).

5. While the flower is still wet, load a round brush with green paint using a low pigment-to-water ratio. Drop in leaves adjacent to the flower, using the shape of the brush to create the leaves. Allow the water already on the edges of the flower to distribute the green paint and blend the flower and leaves together.

6. Repeat Steps 1-4 to create the impression of a flower adjacent to the first flower, as shown in the Day 5 video.

7. Repeat Step 5 to add leaves to the second flower.

8. Repeat Steps 1-5 to create additional flowers and leaves, as shown in the Day 5 video.


51

9. Add additional leaves and stems using green and blue paint to fill in the areas around the flowers with foliage, as shown in the Day 5 video. Draw in stems to connect the flowers and stems, as needed.

10. Allow the watercolors to dry completely, and glaze in additional shading as needed.

11. Die cut the watercolor panel using a stitched rectangle die.

12. Stamp a greeting (“Just a Note”) in VersaMark ink on Vellum. Heat emboss the greeting using Black embossing powder. Trim to create a wide strip, and wrap the ends of the strip around the sides of the die cut watercolor panel. Adhere the ends to secure the strip in place.


Tips & Tricks to Note• In addition to round brushes, look for flat

brushes with rounded tops that will naturally

create petal shapes.

• Start by working with a lower pigment-to-water

concentration to create a light paint. That way, you

can easily lift the color out for highlights or deepen

the concentration to create shading.

• If at any time you feel like the watercolor is getting

away from you, stop. Stop and let the watercolor dry

completely, then come back in.

Supplies:• M Graham & Co Alizarin Crimson Tube Watercolor (DB)• M Graham & Co Sap Green Tube Watercolor (DB)• Daniel Smith Quinacridone Gold Tube Watercolor (DB)• M Graham & Co Prussian Blue Watercolor Tube (DB)• VersaMark Ink (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• Da Vinci Cosmotop Spin Round Brush Size 14 (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 10 Round Brush (DB)• Da Vinci Harbin Kolinsky Size 5 Round Brush (DB)• Bazzill White 40 lb Vellum Sheets (SSS | EH)















52

Day 5 Notes:


53

Day 6 - Expressive Florals & Leaves: Examples

Thanksby Kristina WernerCard size: 42" x 62"

Instructions1. Die cut the bottom edge of a watercolor

paper panel using a Curved Edge die.

2. Using a large round brush, loosely paint in a flower silhouette above the curved edge of the panel, as shown in the Day 6 video.

3. Soften the edges, if desired, using clean, clear water. Add highlights or remove excess color using a thirsty brush to lift away color. Allow the flower to dry completely.

4. Paint in buds using a second color and the same brush, as shown in the Day 6 video.

5. Drop in a little of the first color (higher pigment intensity) at the base of each Step 4 bud (wet-on-wet), and allow the colors to blend.

6. Drop a little of the second color (higher pigment intensity) in the center of the first flower, and allow the water from the first flower to distribute the color.

7. Using various shades of green, paint in leaves and bud calyxes, as shown in the Day 6 video.

8. Paint in colorful clusters of dots to represent unopened flowers further away, connecting them to the main flower with thin lines of green and small leaves, as shown in the Day 6 video.


54

9. Paint in a cluster of larger dots, and blend out each dot using clean, clear water to create a cluster of petals. Connect the petals to each other and the main flower using thin lines of green and small leaves, as shown in the Day 6 video.

10. Using a high pigment-to-water concentration of your first color, paint in curving lines to add detail to the main flower (wet-on-dry). Soften the lines using clean, clear water.

11. Allow the watercolors to dry completely.

12. Load a brush with gray paint using a low pigment-to-water ratio, and paint thin vertical lines across one edge of a second watercolor paper panel to create a striped border. Trim a 2” x 42" piece to create a border strip.

13. Cut two panels of white cardstock (Marshmallow): one at 42" x 62" and the second at 42" x 7". Score the 7" piece at 2" to create a flap. Apply adhesive to the flap, and adhere the panels together to create a 42" x 62" top-folding card.

14. Adhere the striped border strip to the bottom edge of the card.

15. Adhere the watercolor panel to the card using foam adhesive, so the border strip peeks out underneath the curved edge of the panel.

16. Die cut a greeting word from white cardstock (Marshmallow), and adhere to the card using Matte Multi Medium.

Supplies:• Simon Says Stamp A2 Curved Edge Die (SSS)• Mama Elephant Thanks Script Die (SSS | EH)• Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (SSS | EH)• American Journey Artists’ Watercolor (CJ)• Silver Black Velvet Round 12 Paint Brush (DB)• Dahle Self-Healing Black Cutting Mat (SSS)• Hero Arts Milwaukee Heat Gun (SSS | EH)• EK Success Honey Bee Non-Stick Scissors (SSS)• Martha Stewart Mini Scoring Board (SSS | EH | IE)• Teflon Bone Folder (SSS | EH)• EK Success Tweezers (SSS | EH)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• Bazzill Marshmallow Cardstock (SSS | EH)• Tombow Xtreme Adhesive (SSS)• 3M Scotch Double-Sided Foam Tape (SSS | EH)• Ranger Multi Medium Matte Glue (SSS | EH)• Quilled Creations Precision Tip Empty Applicator Bottle

(SSS | EH)

Tips & Tricks to Note• Reference a floral stamp to help guide the composition of your

freehand painted flowers and leaves.

• If you die cut the edge of a watercolor paper panel, you may

end up with extra indentations from your die or cutting plates—

watercolor paper is especially sensitive. If that happens, you can

always use the die-cut panel as a guide to cut a clean piece, as

Kristina did here.

• Don’t be afraid to mix your colors—blue works wonders to

deepen the intensity and add interest to foliage, as we’ve seen

throughout class. Also, when you use various shades of green in

a single project, your leaves and stems will appear much more

sophisticated and intentional.































55

Thank Youby Joni Nina AndayaCard size: 52" x 44"

Instructions1. Load a round brush with pink paint. Lay

down the color on a dry watercolor paper panel, using the shape of the brush to create petals around a white center, as shown in the Day 6 video.

2. Add layers (wet-on-wet) to intensify the color, as desired.

3. Repeat Steps 1-2 to create multiple flowers in different colors around the panel, as shown in the Day 6 video.

4. Returning to the first flower you created (which should be dry by now), begin adding leaves. Using the tip of the brush, add stems using green paint, as shown in the Day 6 video. Use the tip of the brush to draw in leaves (or use the natural shape of the brush), allowing the leaves to overlap your flowers.

5. Work to add stems and leaves in roughly the same order that you added the flowers—this way you can ensure the flowers are dry before adding any overlapping color.

6. Add additional small flowers or petals to fill in, as desired.

7. Using the tip of the brush, draw in small branches adjacent to several of the flowers. You can use small branches to balance out the background.


56

8. Add a center to each flower using a combination of the following options:

◆ Option 1: Paint a center in each flower, by

using the shape of your round brush to paint a

circle. Using a small round brush, dab tiny dots

around each center circle to add detail to each

flower center.

◆ Option 2: Paint lines radiating out from the

center of the flower into the petals. Using a

small round brush, dab a tiny dot at the end of

each line.

9. Loading a small brush with purple or pink paint, add dots to the ends of the branches.

10. Add more leaves as desired.

11. Using a darker shade of green, paint veins on the leaves using the tip of the brush.

12. Allow the panel to dry completely, and adhere the panel to a White card.

13. Die cut a greeting from gold cardstock (“Thank You”), and adhere the die cut to the card.

Tips & Tricks to Note• Expressive florals can be as simple as “blobs” of

paint, turned into your interpretation of a flower. Just

have fun with it! There are no rules.

• If you work in a particular path around your

watercolor paper panel, the first area should be dry

by the time you make your way back to it in order to

add another layer of color.

Supplies:• Hero Arts Thank You Die (SSS | EH)• Winsor & Newton Watercolors (SSS | EH )• Blick Studio Synthetic Round Size 10 (DB)• Robert Simmons White Sable Oval Wash Brush

Size 1/4" (DB)• Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Round Size 1 (DB)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Size 8 Synthetic Brush (DB)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Size 4 Synthetic Brush (DB)











57

Floral Notecardsby Swarup MurthyCard sizes: 44" x 52"

Card 1 Instructions1. Using a round brush, wet a small area of your

watercolor paper panel. Drop in color, and spread it into a rough flower silhouette, as shown in the Day 6 video. Allow the water to distribute the color.

2. Use a dry brush to lift color from the bottom or front of the flower, creating the illusion of light hitting that area and the impression that the flower is round.

3. Paint in a calyx around the bottom of the flower using green paint and little water to avoid creating a run back into the flower. You want the color to distribute a little into the edges, but not beyond that. Pull color down using the tip of your brush to create the beginnings of a stem.

4. Drop additional color around the base of the flower to create negative painting and bring the bottom of the flower forward visually, as shown in the Day 6 video. Soften the edges.

5. Drop additional color into the center of the flower, to deepen the area and make it appear concave. Soften the edges.

6. Add additional color to darken the back petals, softening the edges. Pull the color in a curving line down into the lifted area to create the illusion of a petal folding in around the front of the flower, as shown in the Day 6 video.

7. Wet the area of the paper around the flowers using clean, clear water. Avoid getting water on the flowers.

8. Drop green paint into the newly wet areas, and blend out to create a base of color. Drop in additional color using your brush to create vague leaf shapes, and soften any hard edges, as shown in the Day 6 video.


58

9. Repeat Steps 1-6 to create additional flowers and green foliage areas. Soften one of the outside flower edges to create a “lost” edge that will blend into the background.


11. Drop yellow paint into the center of each flower.

12. Glaze in dark green paint around each flower, pulling the color away from the flower to create leaves, as shown in the Day 6 video.

13. Drop in some yellow ochre paint into edges of the foliage area and blend out to add interest to the soft focus behind the more detailed leaves, as shown in the Day 6 video.

14. Keep adding more areas of soft green and ochre, as desired to complete your panel, as shown in the Day 6 video.

15. Spatter green paint over the watercolors.

16. Add dark blue or gray to the center of each flower, as shown in the Day 6 video.

17. Drop some of the dark blue or gray into the surrounding foliage to tie the color in, as shown in the Day 6 video.

18. Drop some of the flower color into the soft focus area to create the impression of another flower, out of focus, as shown in the Day 6 video.

19. Using a dark color and the tip of your brush, paint in some deliberate stems and leaves, as shown in the Day 6 video.

20. Allow the watercolors to dry completely, and trim the panel to card size.

21. Adhere the panel to a White card.


59

Supplies:• Winsor & Newton Artists Watercolor Set of 24 (DB)• Winsor & Newton Kolinsky Sable Pointed Round Brush

Size 4 (DB)• Grumbacher Goldenedge Size 10 Synthetic Brush (DB)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• Strathmore 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• 3M Scotch .75 Inch Blue Painter’s Tape (SSS | EH)

One-Layer Card Instructions1. Cut and score a sheet of 140 lb watercolor

paper to create a card. Do not fold the card at this time. If desired, mask off the back of the card, along the scored line.

2. Using a round brush, wet a small area of card front. Drop in color, and spread it into a rough flower silhouette, as shown in the Day 6 video. Allow the water to distribute the color.

3. Drop additional color on the rough flower shape, and allow the water to distribute the newly added paint (wet-on-wet).

4. Repeat Steps 2-3 to create flowers, softening an edge or two to create “lost” edges.

5. Paint in a calyx around the bottom of the flower using green paint and little water to avoid creating a run back into the flower. You want the color to distribute a little into the edges, but not beyond that. Drop in a little blue and yellow paint to add interest (wet-on-wet), if desired.

6. Repeat Steps 2-5 to create additional flowers and surrounding foliage, as shown in the Day 6 video.

7. Soften the edges of the foliage out into the rest of the panel using blue and green paint, as shown in the Day 6 video.

8. Let the foliage dry to damp, then using a dry brush, lift out stems, as shown in the Day 6 video. Allow the area to dry completely.

9. Using a dark shade of blue or green, paint in stems and leaves, as shown in the video.

10. Drop in additional color as needed to balance out the soft focus background, softening the edges. Drop some of the flower color into the soft focus area to create the impression of another flower, out of focus, as shown in the Day 6 video.


12. Remove any masking and fold the notecard.

Tips & Tricks to Note• One of the most important things you can do when creating

flowers using a wet-on-wet technique is to sit back and not fiddle!

Drop your color in and just wait for it to dry. You can always add

more color.

• If you find it difficult to lift color with a brush, you can always use a

paper towel.

• You may find it easier to work on one aspect of your watercolor at a

time (all the flowers) and then go in to do the negative painting. Or

you may find, like Sanketi, that you like to work on a single area (one

flower and the negative painting around it) all at once. Give both

methods a try and see what works best for you!

• Sanketi recommends using 140 lb Strathmore for creating one-layer

watercolor notecards because it dries quickly (preventing warping)

and is easy to score and fold without cracking.

• Yes, there is a technique you can do with damp watercolors: lifting

to draw in details. Make sure you’re using a dry brush when you go

to do this!






https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=326980





60

Thankful For Youby Jennifer McGuireCard sizes: 44" x 52"

Instructions1. Load a flat brush with orange (or red) paint

using a low pigment-to-water ratio and dip the corner of the brush into red (or blue) paint, using a high pigment-to-water ratio.

2. Position the brush on a watercolor paper panel, and pivot the brush on the red corner to create a loop. The water in the orange area on the brush will help distribute the paint, resulting in a petal shape with red at the point and orange near the tip, as shown in the Day 6 video.

3. Repeat Steps 1-2 to create a flower with three large petals. Allow the watercolors to dry completely.

4. Position a stitched rectangle die on your watercolored panel, so the flower is near the top right corner. Die cut to create a smaller, stitched panel.

5. Stamp a greeting (“Thankful for you”) on acetate, so you can hold it over your watercolor panel to help with placement.

6. Load a small round brush with green paint, and paint in a calyx and stem for your flower.

7. Hold the acetate-greeting panel over the watercolor panel to help determine where the next stem should go. Paint the second and third stems, crossing over the first. Add a small dab of green paint at the top of each stem to create the beginnings of a calyx.

8. Clean off the acetate panel—you’re done with it.

9. Repeat Steps 1-2 using a smaller flat brush to create one small two-petal flower and one tiny bud (oval, instead of a loop).


61

Supplies:• Mommy Lhey Ray of Sunshine Stamps (SSS)• My Favorite Things Typewriter Text Background (SSS | EH)• Lawn Fawn Small Stitched Rectangle Dies (SSS | EH)• Winsor & Newton Cotman 10 Tube Watercolor Set (DB)• Hero Arts Soft Sand Shadow Ink (SSS | EH)• Hero Arts Black Dye Ink (SSS | EH)• Darice 10 Well Round Paint Palette (SSS | EH)• Ranger Artist Brushes (SSS | EH)• Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (SSS | EH)• MISTI Stamping Tool Kit (SSS)• Arches Cold Pressed 140 lb Watercolor Paper (SSS | EH)• Simon Says Stamp Large Grid Paper (SSS)• 3M Micropore Tape (SSS)

10. Optional: Add interest to the flowers by using lifting to define the petals.

11. Roughly mask off the flowers using Micropore tape or another low-tack option. Stamp a text background in light colored ink (Soft Sand) over the panel. Remove the tape.

12. Stamp the greeting from Step 5 in Black ink on the watercolored panel.

13. Adhere the completed panel to a coordinating top-folding card using foam adhesive.

Tips & Tricks to Note• This technique works great with any paint you may

have. Plus, you may have noticed, it’s similar to the

rock-and-roll technique with stamping… get some

deeper color on the corner of the brush to create

low-effort shading!

• If you want to use this technique with pan

watercolors, add some water to the red pan

paint and let it soak in, so you have some highly

concentrated red paint, then proceed with the two-

step flower!

• For this technique, make sure that you are using

colors that blend well together to create secondary

or tertiary shades (as shown in our Pre-Class

Exercises). Jennifer shows both orange/red and red/

blue combinations that work beautifully!

• If you’re feeling a tad overwhelmed, cut down your

panel so you’re working with a smaller surface area.

Sometimes, just looking at a smaller panel can help

you gain confidence!























62

Day 6 Notes:

copyright © 2016 online card classes, llc. all rights ... · 2. paint directly on a dry panel of...

Documents