Jul 21 2008
Coloring Today — Sponged Watercolor Background
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.
I used Flourishes’ Poppy Patch for the main image just because they’re so darn pretty and the set provides a good variety of images for composing a painting. They’re colored with Groovy Guava and shaded with Pixie Pink which gives them a nice pinkish-salmon color.
The background was accomplished by sponging inks on wet paper and then brushing over them with a clean wet brush to further blend and soften the colors. It’s a very easy way to do a background.
I’d like to start with just a photo of the tools I used for this painting:
- Sponge daubers — Fits on your finger like a thimble
- Wedge — It doesn’t have to be a wedge, but it’s a nice, dense foam. I really don’t know why it comes in a wedge shape. I pinch it in my fingers to sponge with it.
- Flat brush — For painting over the background inks to blend
- Smaller brush — This is what I used for painting the poppies and for some of the smaller areas of the background
The first step is to stamp the poppies in waterproof ink — I used Jet Black Stazon. Stamp them again to create masks — I used Eclipse Masking Tape. It’s very thin and sticks to your image with a repositionable adhesive. This is the image stamped and masks applied:
Begin by brushing over the paper in the area to be sponged with a clean, wet brush. It only needs to be damp, not totally saturated. This simply helps the paper absorb the ink more efficiently. When applying several colors to a background, always start with the lightest color. Sponge a drift of pink over the sky area. Leave an area on the bottom part of the panel for creating a hillside.
Sponge blue next, filling in some of the empty areas and overlapping the pink a little.
Fill in the rest of the white areas of the sky with lavender and overlap the pink and blue.
To save time I’m showing one photo of the lower area of the background. I did the same kind of sponging here, but with light green, dark green and purple in that order. It’s rather dark and all the ink colors don’t show as well as in the sky. It’s probably not even necessary to use that many colors, but that’s what I did — I was just making this up as I went along.
Once all the inks have been applied, use a clean, damp sponge, such as the wedge pictured above to press all over the background. This will further blend and soften the inks. If so desired, use a clean, wet brush to paint over any area that appears to have too much color to suit you. If you wet an area with the brush and then blot it with a paper towel it will lift some of the ink. The brush can also be used to blend the inks even more if you desire yet more softness. You’ll maintain the sponged look but it will become rather soft and hazy. The photo below shows the image with the masks removed.
Paint the poppies now and begin the finishing touches. Again, please refer to this tutorial for painting the poppies. When you compare the painted poppies in this photo with the previous photo, you’ll notice a slight shading around the poppies. Naturally, the poppies aren’t casting a shadow on the sky, but the subtle aura gives them a presence that would be otherwise lacking. They need to “displace” the air around them, in a sense. As described in last week’s watercolor tutorial, to create the aura, or “glow”, wet the area first, then dab with ink which will disperse, or blend, into the wet area. I used lavender ink for the aura to keep it very subtle. Where the poppy rests against the dark area, I used dark purple (Eggplant) for the aura. Again, it’s very subtle but it makes a difference.
Also, notice the glow of light along the horizon and the right edge of the lower poppy. This was done with Saffron ink in the same manner used to create the aura, or glow.
Finally, turn your painting into a card and send it to someone special! I matted my painting on Naturals White, tied on some pretty ribbon and float mounted it on foam tape against a background of Artichoke textured cardstock and an Eggplant card base.
I hope this is helpful and I really hope it doesn’t appear as though I hurried through it as much as it felt like I did. Whew! By the time I finished this it was getting late and I have to get up early in the morning for work. I’d love to think that those of you who would like to do this sort of painting are perhaps feeling encouraged by seeing the process outlined and realizing you can do it, after all. Start with a simple image – you don’t have to do a whole landscape your first time out. Please let me know if you give it a try. I’d be so happy to see anything you create. Have a wonderful day!
Absolutely gorgeous.
Fabulous!!! I am in LOVE with your work and your tutorials. Please come to Wash DC and give me a personal tutorial!
Stunning! Simply stunning! I love the background! Of course the poppies are gorgeous too!
You did a wonderful job on this card. It is lovely.
Another gorgeous card.
This is so beautiful Leslie! I haven’t been commenting much because of traveling but I do read all of your blog entries. I just got some watercolor paper and will try this. Thank you for your inspiration.
This card is just beautiful. Thank you so much for the tutorial. I am going to try this - and I’ve been thinking of getting this set. Now I’m really going to do it!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Gorgeous, gorgeous! And thanks so much for the wonderful tutorial! Well worth the time. Thank you so much!
Beautiful card and thanks for the tutorial.
This is beautiful, I like the tutorial ( all of yours) they are so easily followed. I have to try this technique as soon as possible. I also need the poppies stamp!!! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Wonderful tutorial…I am going to give this a try. Thank you so much.
Truely awesome!!! Love your coloring and the colors you used! Thank you for the tutorial. I will definitely give this a try:)
What a beautiful card-just love how you colored the background and the beautiful poppies. Your clear instructions are much appreciated from me as most of this is pretty new to me. Thanks so much!
Bev J. (Maxell on SCS)
Another well written and superbly photographed tutorial! If you DO come to DC for Joan B’s personal tutorial, you must include me too! Seriously though, your color tutorials are perfect and have been enormously helpful to me. I look forward to more.
This is so beautiful, Leslie!! You make coloring this look easy….if only it were so! *wink* Thanks for another fabulous tutorial!!
Leslie, this is absolutely over the top gorgeous! Each and everyone of your cards are truly a work of art. Thanks for the tutorial as well.
Pinky
Very pretty. Thanks for taking the time to share.
A question: What kind of paper did you use?
What a soft and pretty card! My sister loves and grows poppy’s. She would die over this. Thanks for sharing how you did it. Much appreciated! You are one talented lady!
This is just a lovely stamp set but you’ve made it into a stunning painting! Wow. I have always been curious about watercoloring and my attempts have been feeble at best. With this tutorial and the one last week I feel like I want to try again. I never knew about how to shade properly or about blending the background with a wet brush. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful creation and showing your methods!
absolutely gorgeous and well written tutorial . I love water coloring but it will take some practice to get as good as you are. Must get to it!!
Most artists are not fully aware of the influence the quality of their brushes has on the work they do. nice post!!!
This is beautiful Leslie, thanks so much for sharing how to make it, I definitely want to try it!! Love, love, love this gorgeous card! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
What a gorgeous sponged background and beautifully colored poppies. Jeani is visiting for a few days and I am going to be teaching her how to watercolor using……Leslierich’s techniques……of course
TFS Leslie!
I think you did a beautiful job with the tutorial and the card is just gorgeous. Where did you learn how to do all this?
OMG! This is amazing - Just gorgeous!
this is amazingly beautiful!!! the tutorial for watercoloring is well written. i believe i can do this now. thank you for sharing your technique. Blessings… joystamper
Breathtaking! I see you do it…but I can’t believe it! Wonderful, background and gorgeous flowers!
Hi Leslie,
Your card is just beautiful. I LOVE the gorgeous colors and stunning watercoloring. Thanks so much for posting your wonderful tutorial on it.
Have a wonderful week,
Jennifer
Stunning!!!! Love the technique!!! You did an amazing job Leslie!!!TFS!
A beautiful card! Thank you for the great tutorials! I am learning so much. Great job!
Wow, Leslie, this is just wonderful! Thank you for showing how you achieved this lovely background! TFS!
Leslie, I went straight over and ordered the stamps after your last demo and I can’t wait to get them and give this a try. You make it seem as tho anyone can do I and IF I can I will try my best to send you a pic! Thanks for taking time to explain the steps.
Your talents are truly amazing! The poppies and background colors are stunning and the flowers look so very life-like.
Stunning Leslie!
I love the softness of the background. Stunning but doesn’t take over the image. Beautiful!
Denise
Stunning Leslie! Thanks for the great tutorial! I haven’t watercolored in a while…I seem to have gotten caught up in the Copic rage and have neglected my other mediums. You have inspired me to break out the watercolor paper today! Thanks!!
Leslie, this is just so pretty! It looks almost like a photo!
You were the Runner Up for Tutorial of the Week at Card of the Week.com. You can check out the original post at http://www.cardoftheweek.com/2008/07/tutorial-tues-3.html
I did use pictures off your blog, along with links back to your site and the posting. I hope that is alright. Let me know.
Thanks for sharing — this is a great project!
Another fabulous tutorial!! You make it seem so easy - and you create drop dead gorgeous cards!!
Nice work
Absolutely stunning! Love the intensity of the colors in the poppies.
Amazingly Beautiful Leslie!!!
That is one AMAZING card! Congrats on being featured in Card of the Week! The tutorial was beautiful and clear - makes it seem so easy
Beautiful work Leslie!!!
Your work is fantastic, I love what you do, thanks for the tutorial. Kimx
Breath taking card Leslie!
True work of art!:D
You have inspired me to get out my water brush and watercolor pencils and play around with techniques to see what I can end up creating. I’ve bought all of the supplies I need; I just needed the nudge to play with ink & paper.
Your cards are gorgeous!! And, like me, it appears that you enjoy your flower garden & hanging baskets. You are an awesome photographer!!
I’ll be stopping in again……..FOR SURE!!!
I love the sponging effect on the background and the watercoloured poppies are beautiful. I am inspired!
Wow, Leslie, the poppies and BG are just outstanding! What gorgeous colors and watercoloring! I love it!
Man, oh, man, how gorgeous is this card!!??!! Love what you did with the background.
WOW, this is super!! I love how your instructions are so clear! And the end result is stunning!!
Awesome and inspiring work.