Jul 14 2008
Coloring Today–Easy Watercoloring with New Anna Wight Images for Whipper Snapper
Today marks the release of two new sets from Whipper Snapper, illustrated by Anna Wight, and it’s my privilege to be among the folks who will be sharing designs with these images this month. Anna has a lot more info for you so please check here to get the full scoop. The sets I’ll be using are a floral set called Blossoms & Butterflies, and a collection of sentiments called Blooming Expressions — they’re perfect for each other. The sentiments are many and varied and exceptionally useful. The floral images are whimsical, sweet and drawn in Anna’s trademark style which has become so familiar and well loved among stampers. They’re also perfect for what I have in mind for Coloring Today — some very basic watercoloring.
This is watercoloring with inks – something every stamper has. To get the very best results you really should use watercolor paper because of its ability to absorb water without warping. It’s not hard to come by. The first watercolor paper I bought was a tablet from Wal-Mart. It worked just fine but the surface wasn’t very smooth. The paper I use most frequently now was purchased in tablet form at a local art supply store — 100% cotton, 140 lb, cold pressed grain fin. It has some texture but not too much.
Usually I’ll just squeeze the closed stamp pad to press a little ink into the lid. Hold the pad with both hands with your thumbs in the center of the lid. Squeeze until you feel the lid make contact with the pad. You don’t need reinkers for watercoloring but they’re convenient if you’re covering a large area. Also, if you do a lot of watercoloring you’ll probably need to reink your pad more frequently.
Below are two of the Stampin’ Up! pads I used for watercoloring my image. The Mauve Mist (retired) on the left is shown with a drop of reinker. I use the lid like a palette — use a wet brush to pull a little ink from the drop and mix it with water from the brush to dilute to desired shade. Add more water or more ink, if necessary. I keep a scrap of watercolor paper handy on which to test my color, but I’m not real fussy about it. I use it either very dilute or very pure — I put more emphasis on the amount of water I have on the paper, which we’ll talk about in a minute.
The Close to Cocoa pad on the right is shown with ink squeezed into the lid. I pull the concentrated ink to a different area of the lid to mix with water, using the same principles as stated above.
Stamp the image in waterproof ink. I used Jet Black Stazon for this image. It’s one flower stamped twice. The first image was masked. The butterfly is a separate image.
I like to start by coloring the whole image with a very dilute base coat. I used Mauve Mist, Close to Cocoa and Certainly Celery.
The next step is to add a little shading. Start with just one petal. Paint the entire petal with water first, taking care to stay within the lines. Then dab or paint a line of ink along the edge of the petal. The ink will disperse and gradually fade out. When it hits a dry area it will abruptly stop spreading, which means the ink won’t spread outside the petal unless you painted the water outside the lines. The wetter the paper, the more the ink will spread. In a small area like this petal, you won’t want too much water or else the ink will spread all the way across the petal – then you won’t have shading, you’ll just have a darker petal. Try it out on a scrap piece first.
This photo shows the shaded flowers. The flower on the left was shaded with Mauve Mist, the same color as the base coat but applied full strength to the wet petal. You could stop there and call those petals finished and they’d look just fine. However, I decided to add more shading with Bravo Burgundy. I did it the same as described above, but with less water. I also shaded the flower’s cone with Close to Cocoa.
When you use less water, there’s a chance the line won’t blend as smoothly. When this happens, use a clean wet brush to paint toward the shaded line — water only. You don’t want to pull the darker ink into the light areas, you simply want to soften the blended edge.
A little tip: Is the painted area too dark? Did you apply too much ink in a certain area? To remedy this, paint it again with water, then press with a paper towel. It will effectively lift enough ink to give you a chance to start over.
Another tip: Can you see right off the bat that you put too much water on your paper? Is it sort of pooled up on the paper? Touch the edge of a paper towel to the water and the excess will be absorbed. Don’t press the towel onto the image unless you also want to remove ink.
You can add a glow if so desired. This photo shows the entire image painted and shaded as described above, with the glow added around one flower and the butterfly so you can compare them with and without the glow. I call it a glow because I used So Saffron to highlight the image. This same process would be used with a darker ink to create a shadow. The glow can be any color your heart desires.
It’s very easy to create the glow or shading around the image, using the same process that was used for shading the rest of the image — wet the paper first, then dab ink into the wet area. When doing the glow I always wet a larger area than I actually need — this allows the gradual fade out with no abrupt edge. The wetter the paper, the more the ink will spread and the softer the glow will be. The glow will not spread into your image if you allow the main image to dry first. It doesn’t take long.
So there it is, main image complete with a subtle glow. I kept my layout simple, using my new Prism papers — Spring Willow light and medium, and Iced Azalea. The sentiment stamped very nicely on the lightly textured paper. It reads “Count your blessings one petal at a time.” The Blooming Expressions set is full of flower related sentiments as well as birthday, thinking of you, sympathy — it covers many different occasions.
Aren’t these images cute? I’ve always loved Anna’s style. They’re the type of images that allow you the freedom to do pretty much whatever you want with them — such as a green butterfly. Every year my kitchen window screen becomes peppered with such an interesting variety of moths. The prettiest is a small one that’s a lovely, delicate shade of green.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Once again, it’s long but I wouldn’t want to leave anything out. It takes longer to explain the process than it does to actually do it. Take care, now, and have a wonderful day!
Great tutorial! Beautiful card and sentiment!
You make this look easy Leslie!
Beautiful!! You are a perfect choice to showcase Anna’s newest stamps! You do such gorgeous work!!
Thanks so much for your tutorial. Watercolor is my favorite medium so I’m always eager to learn more! I’m off to Whipper Snapper now to check out the new sets…
I love your watercoloring. Thank you so much for the tutorial…very informative.
Delors in VA
Congrats, Leslie!! Working with Anna is so wonderful and I am so excited about these new releases! Your card is lovely!
Beautiful!!!! love your coloring and the tutorial is AWESOME!!
Well now I know what I have been doing wrong. Thanks for the tips and I can’t wait to try this technique again! Wonderful tutorial and great card!
LOVE your card…and the new stamp sets!!
Your card is very beautiful, as is your watercoloring. Thank you for this great tutorial. I found it so interesting and am going to try the tips and hints you gave for subtle shading and adding a glow; I have been trying to do this for a while and have been struggling! I am sending your blog address to my sister, so she can read about watercoloring too!
Your watercoloring is just beautiful Leslie…Thanks for sharing this with all of us! I really like the added paper piercing…I am still trying to get mine to look good…probably should have kept that one to myself…but, I know practice makes perfect…one day
Amazing tutorial…thanks so much for taking the time.
Absolutely beautiful!! I’ll have to try some of that paper! I can’t watercolor!
Superb tutorial! Just what the doctor ordered. You humble me, Leslie.
Beautiful, Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL! I love every bit of this! And your tutorial to show technique is perfect! Thank you for being a part of the fun with me! I can’t wait to see what else you’ve dreamed up! =) -Anna.
this is a great tutorial for those that really need a watercoloring tutorial. Your instructions are clear and the results are beeeautiful. I sure do miss that Mauve Mist - but I still have mine - lol
Beautiful Leslie!!
I have tried watercolouring in the past with varying degrees of success. This tutorial is the best I have ever seen, and I am really excited to try my had again at water colouring. Thanks!
LOVE this layout, and your beautifully colored image, Leslie! Stunning!!
What a beautiful card! Thanks so much for the tutorial. I REALLY need that one! I’m trying desperately to make my aquapainter and reinkers look better, so I appreciate you showing us exactly what you did~
This is wonderful! Thanks for the tutorial!
Leslie this is a stunner, your coloring is so beautiful!
Thanks for the tutorial and tips!!
Gorgeous! I love this!
This is a lovely card. Very soft and delicate. Your watercoloring is wonderful. I am so challenged when it comes to watercoloring but I am going to keep at it. Thanks for a great tutorial.
Gorgeous Leslie! I love the colors and your coloring is just beautiful!
Awesome card, Leslie. Your watercoloring is beautiful!! As soon as the printer works, I’m going to print this for my technique tutorials. Thanks so much.
I love your tutorials. They are always so informative and complete. This is another gorgeous card.
Gorgeous card!!! So soft and pretty! Thank you for the watercoloring tutorial, you detailed it so completely!!
Leslie - your card is GORGEOUS! And your tutorial is very clear and informative - super job on that!
Absolutely LOVE the images in this set and your card is delightful!!
Wonderful tutorial and beautiful card. I love all these images….it’s so hard to pick and choose, I want them ALL!
LeAnne
Beautiful card! I love your tutorials-you explain everything just perfectly. Thanks-
Bev J. (Maxell on SCS)
Thank you for this tutorial; I still find watercoloring a little mystifying but your method makes sense to me.
Gorgeous new stamps colored so beautifully. I have been so priviledged to have had a one on one playdate with my forever friend the very talented leslierich
Leslie’s technique works beautifully and is so much fun! Thanks again Leslie for sharing your talents and tutorials with us all. You are so Special!!! Your friend, nancy
THANK YOU for this tutorial, Leslie. Coloring in images is one thing I really need practice on. I have been stamping for over 12 years, but have avoided coloring like the plague! I love that you’ve shared these simple tips. I will definitely be trying this when I get moved and have my supplies back again!
Great card. Thanks for the tutorial.
Charmaine
This was SO helpful to me! Your tips and tricks are just what I needed to improve my coloring. Thank you very much! Your card is divine…and Anna has such sweet images! THANKS AGAIN!!!
LOVE This! Your card is Beautiful! Great Tips! Off to play!
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I’ve been thinking of trying a little watercoloring and this is perfect!
This card is amazing. Great job watercoloring and thanks for the tutorial!!
Oh, this is so lovely. *said in a soft, almost awe-inspired voice* Thanks for the step by step too.
HOLY CARP!!! That is GORGEOUS!!!
Absolutely beautiful. I have admired your work for years now…..
Congratulations - Anna really knows who to pick ~ I can’t wait to see more!
Beautiful, love the “glow” around it, this is the part I need practice, thanks for explaining it all!
Love it! I just bought some watercolor paper today, so this is perfect timing. Your shading is gorgeous; thanks for the step-by-step tutorial!
Thank you so much for the detailed tutorial. This is very helpful! I had no idea one should wet the paper first before adding ink. This will definitely help my watercolouring attempts!
Thanks again!
barb
OMGOSH! This is just beautiful!!!!
Just as lovely as can be! Thank for for taking the time to do this watercoloring tutorial! Deb
Holy Moses! This is just gorgeous! Thank you so much for the watercoloring tips!
Your watercoloring just blows me away - absolutely stunning! Congratulations!
Gorgeous and thanks for the tutorial. I’m off the computer and into the stamp room. You’ve inspired me!
Leslie, your watercoloring and your card are simply lovely! Loved reading about how you do your painting. TFS.
. . . So happy for you, Leslie — I can’t wait to see what all you do with Anna’s images! This is lovely - great colors you’ve chosen!
Amazing tutorial. Really. I cannot wait to try it out. Thanks so much!
Leslie,
The way you present your pictures step by step and with detailed description (it is never too long for anyone, new in colouring or experienced artists…. there is always something to learn from others) is the perfect way that attract people to come to your blog EVERY SINGLE DAY, because not only we can learn from you, we can actual go through the process with you, so well that we can try on our own. Thanks a million.
Edna
Very lovely and absolutely gorgeous!! Thank you for sharing your technique in such detail.
This set of Anna’s is definitely going on my wish list! Your card is lovely!
Absolutely stunning. Great tutorial.
This is so beautiful, Leslie!! Congratulations on being chosen to showcase Anna’s stamps!! Your coloring is lovely, and your tutorial is just fantastic!!! Gorgeous, gorgeous, card!!
Thanks you so much for sharing your tutorial and the wonderful card you created. I can’t wait to give it a try!
This is beautiful! I love Anna’s images, and your watercoloring just brought them to life! I really like the clean design of this card — it showcases the flowers perfectly!
Gorgeous card! I love this image. Thanks for the tutorial too :o)
Beautiful watercoloring and great tutorial! The the way you created the image and card-great design!
This is a great card and a great tutorial! You make it look so easy! I can’t wait to try it!
Your card was featured on Tutorial Tuesday at Card of the Week.com (You can see the original post here: http://www.cardoftheweek.com/2008/07/tutorial-tues-2.html)
I did include a picture of your work and links to your blog and the tutorial. Please let me know if that’s OK — barefootstamper@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing your great work!
Thank you so much for explaining this technique so well. I have dabbled with this before but did not have precise instructions. This will be very helpful.
Gorgeous card! Thanks for the tutorial!
Oh WOW–Thank you so much for explaining how to do this!!! You are so generous in sharing your knowledge. You are a very special lady and I so appreciate all I have learned from you.
God Bless,
Laurie
[…] I stamped my little roadside wildflower scene with several stamps from the Blossoms & Butterflies set and used a sentiment from Blooming Expressions. There’s just the slightest bit of watercolor shading on these images but if you’d like to see last Monday’s watercoloring tutorial, it’s right here. […]
[…] Today’s coloring will be fairly quick since we’re focusing mainly on the background. The poppies were watercolored in the same manner that was outlined in last Monday’s post here. […]
Leslie I’m not sure I’ve commented on this yet (and 69 comments is too many to look back through and try to find if I did…)
but I just adore your tutorials, they are wonderful!! My hope is to follow along step by step with some of these, when I own the same or similar stamps. 
As a matter of fact… off to my stamp room I must go now, to try painting some poppies like you did it today! I’m thinking I’ll start by painting some, and then try a background another day… 
Thanks so much for doing this, I’ve been saying I’d LOVE to get some coloring tips from you when I *see* you, but until then, this is a great alternative! 
Wow - thanks so much, Leslie! I knew the basic technique, but your tips make all the difference. Great tutorial! Thank you thank you!
What a wonderful tutorial, Leslie! The most thorough and understandable I’ve seen!!
Lovely, lovely card! and thanks so much for the watercoloring tips!
This is one gorgeous card. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge on watercoloring. Your tutorial is fabulous. Maybe now, I’ll be able to come up with something presentable. Thanks for sharing both.