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Super Simple Gansai Flowers

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Gansai

Hi All,

What I love about watercolor is that it actually looks better when it looks bad. You can’t mess it up. Less effort is more. Sounds perfect, right? That’s my strategy for these flowers. I used Gansai Tambi watercolors, but you could use pretty much any watercolor. However, keep in mind that the Gansai colors are much more opaque. They go on thicker and don’t blend as much on their own. As a result, if you are using another type of watercolor, I would use LESS water.

Here is a close-up of the beautiful, low-effort mess:

Gansai

These blue flowers use #61 and #66. I created another card with purples: #37 and #139:

Gansai

And here is another close-up of the low-effort mess:

Gansai

I can’t decide which colors I like better. My favorite colors to mix with black are blue, purple, and green. I seriously enjoyed coloring these flowers so much – no pressure to get the shading exact. Just a nice relaxing afternoon of dropping color and watching it blend.

Enjoy the video!

signature

Supplies:

To purchase at Ellen Hutson, click the EH link. To purchase at Simon Says Stamp, click the SSS link.
Copic colors used: n/a

Garden in Bloom
Garden in Bloom		 Altenew Label Love
Altenew Label Love
EH|SSS		 Gansai Tambi Watercolors
Gansai Tambi Watercolors
EH|SSS		 Stampin' Up! Sequins
Stampin’ Up! Sequins		 Versafine Black Onyx Ink
Versafine Black Ink
EH|SSS		 Ultra Fine Clear Powder
Ultra Fine Clear Powder		 Copic Multiliner Pens, 4 pack
Copic Multiliner Pen
Ranger Watercolor Paper
Ranger Watercolor Paper
EH|SSS		 Neenah Solar White Cardstock
Neenah Cardstock
EH|SSS		 Stampin' Up! Neutrals DSP
Stampin’ Up! Neutrals DSP		 Stampin' Up! Craft Scissors
Stampin’ Up! Craft Scissors		 Pick Me Up Stick
Pick Me Up Stick		 Stampin' Up! Heat Tool
Heat Tool		 Stampin' Up! Two-Way Glue Pen
Glue Pen
Ranger Multi Medium, Matte
Ranger Multi Medium, Matte
EH|SSS		 Stampin' Up! Dimensionals
Dimensionals		 ATG Tape Runner
ATG Tape Runner
EH|SSS

Comments

  1. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 10:03 am

    Mary Jane

    So simple yet so beautiful! Love them and cant wait to get out my water colors!

  2. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 1:18 pm

    Whimsical Creations

    Pick Me Up Stick – dumbest question in the universe…how do you get more ‘sticky stuff’ out??? Seriously. 🙁

    I can’t get the top to turn or anything so I don’t get more sticky stuff…

    I LOVE your cards; less-effort watercolor looks so realistic; they are all beautiful. TFS!!

    • wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      lovinpaper

      I saw a video where she used the orthodontic wax on the end of her pick me up stick to make it sticky. It is cheap and would be worth a try.

    • wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 2:56 pm

      Andrea

      Don’t know what the problem might be. The top on mine turns to let more stick ooze out the tip. In fact, I tend to have the opposite problem, of too much coming out! Wish I could help! ~ Andrea

    • wrote on October 11th, 2015 at 8:29 pm

      Darlene DeVries

      You should be able to turn the tip so more of the gray sticky stuff comes out. You actually have to turn it with a little muscle, so maybe you’re not turning with enough force?

      • wrote on October 12th, 2015 at 9:16 am

        Whimsical Creations

        I have CRANKED on it and it doesn’t turn at all…sounds like mine might be faulty. I’ll have hubby or son (with bigger muscles – HA) give it a try too.

  3. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 2:58 pm

    Andrea

    Love your watercolor card, Darlene! I think I prefer the purple, but that is my favorite color (and my birthstone color), so I might just be a little biased! 🙂 I was so glad to see this post in my e-mail this afternoon. We just found out a dear friend of ours is losing her battle with cancer, and has probably a month or less left. 🙁 I needed this pick-me-up video. I really like your “soft” style of voice-over. Thanks for sharing your artistry! ~ Andrea

    • wrote on October 11th, 2015 at 8:30 pm

      Darlene DeVries

      Andrea, I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I will say some prayers for her.

      • wrote on October 11th, 2015 at 11:30 pm

        Andrea

        Thank you, Darlene. Unfortunately, our friend lost her battle early this past Friday. Please include her family & many friends in your prayers.

        • wrote on October 12th, 2015 at 9:30 am

          Darlene DeVries

          I’m so sorry Andrea. I will definitely pray for her family and friends.

  4. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    Michellew

    So beautiful Darlene!

  5. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    swimbikerunat60

    Just so beautiful Darlene, you know how much I love water coloring so this card is right up my alley. I love how the water color just runs, it’s like it has a mind of it’s own, just amazing. I need to try heat embossing my flower images like you did, just so I don’t have to worry about the color running all over the place.
    Beautiful cards, I can’t pick a favorite, both are lovely.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Maria.
    PS. I was reading Whimsical Creations comment about the pick me up stick not working properly…..I created my own “pick me up stick” by dipping one of those cocktail tooth picks into tacky glue and letting it drip to form a rounded tip. I let it dry completely and, when I need it, I jus grab it, moisten it a little bit with water, (not dripping wet, ok?) and it works great, I have another one of those tooth picks to help releasing the sequence or whatever I need onto the paper. I know this is very crude and primitive but it works wonders for me. This is just a suggestion, ok?

    • wrote on October 11th, 2015 at 8:31 pm

      Darlene DeVries

      Thanks for sharing your suggestion with everyone Maria! 🙂

  6. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Suzanne

    two very lovely cards!! Clean and simple but very nice!! Who wouldn’t just love to receive either one of them??!!

  7. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    lhasa3

    Love this card!

  8. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    mary w

    This card is stunning in its simplicity and color. Making a “bunch” soon! Thanks.

  9. wrote on October 7th, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    Lizzie

    Love these cards Darlene, I lean towards the blue but love both. I keep holding back on using my watercolors thinking I’ll make a mess, but now I think I will just go ahead take the plunge. You make everything look so easy. I think that’s called “talent”. But tomorrow I’m doing it. Thanks for sharing your talents.

    • wrote on October 11th, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      Darlene DeVries

      You should definitely take the plunge Lizzie!! Did you do it? I hope it went well. 🙂

  10. wrote on October 8th, 2015 at 5:19 am

    treen

    hi Darlene: these flowers are lovely. #37 is my all time favorite color. when I add water to it, I get so many shades, that I don’t need any other color with it. these flowers are so fresh and clean and perky. as usual, your technique of teaching always helps me. thanks so much, treen

  11. wrote on October 8th, 2015 at 9:46 am

    Soozie4Him

    Darlene, I love that you used an SU set that I have, and the watercolors that I have too! 🙂 I’d love to try to reproduce this card. I find myself kinda paralyzed when it comes to trying watercoloring, even though I have tons of supplies and plenty of videos to watch on it!! Thanks for your continuous inspiration! 🙂

  12. wrote on October 10th, 2015 at 6:28 am

    samanthad

    Absolutely gorgeous card. 🙂

  13. wrote on October 10th, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    Vee

    These cards are so lovely, and both are my favourite colours!
    So often less is so much more!

  14. wrote on October 13th, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    SandraMaria

    I think the purple is my favorite. That is, until I see the blue, and then it’s my favorite…until I see the purple again. >.< Then the blue…oh, I give up!

  15. wrote on October 15th, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    craftyonecent

    I just purchased this set of watercolors and can’t wait to try them! I love this simple design style!

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