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:
These blue flowers use #61 and #66. I created another card with purples: #37 and #139:
And here is another close-up of the low-effort mess:
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!
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 |
 Altenew Label Love EH|SSS |
 Gansai Tambi Watercolors EH|SSS |
 Stampin’ Up! Sequins |
 Versafine Black Ink EH|SSS |
 Ultra Fine Clear Powder |
 Copic Multiliner Pen |
 Ranger Watercolor Paper EH|SSS |
 Neenah Cardstock EH|SSS |
 Stampin’ Up! Neutrals DSP |
 Stampin’ Up! Craft Scissors |
 Pick Me Up Stick |
 Heat Tool |
 Glue Pen |
 Ranger Multi Medium, Matte EH|SSS |
 Dimensionals |
 ATG Tape Runner EH|SSS |
Mary Jane
So simple yet so beautiful! Love them and cant wait to get out my water colors!
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!!
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.
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
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?
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.
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
Darlene DeVries
Andrea, I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I will say some prayers for her.
Andrea
Thank you, Darlene. Unfortunately, our friend lost her battle early this past Friday. Please include her family & many friends in your prayers.
Darlene DeVries
I’m so sorry Andrea. I will definitely pray for her family and friends.
Michellew
So beautiful Darlene!
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?
Darlene DeVries
Thanks for sharing your suggestion with everyone Maria! 🙂
Whimsical Creations
That a fabulous suggestion – thank you!!
Suzanne
two very lovely cards!! Clean and simple but very nice!! Who wouldn’t just love to receive either one of them??!!
lhasa3
Love this card!
mary w
This card is stunning in its simplicity and color. Making a “bunch” soon! Thanks.
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.
Darlene DeVries
You should definitely take the plunge Lizzie!! Did you do it? I hope it went well. 🙂
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
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! 🙂
samanthad
Absolutely gorgeous card. 🙂
Vee
These cards are so lovely, and both are my favourite colours!
So often less is so much more!
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!
craftyonecent
I just purchased this set of watercolors and can’t wait to try them! I love this simple design style!