Watercolouring Techniques

Water Colouring and Twinkler's backgrounds

Techniques by Freyja - based on a Class given at Blade Rubber

Water colouring is a very versatile way of colouring stamped images. Most inkpads, pens and aquarelle pencils, dyes etc associated with stamping are water soluble.
Lovely soft, shaded effects can be achieved with little skill and colours mix and blend easily.
Too much colour and a wet brush stroked over will lighten; too little, add more and blend.
You can even brush a little over the lines; many watercolour pictures depend on this for their charming effect.
'Twinklers' are little pots of very shiny, solid pearlescent colour (sold in sets) perfect for colouring stamped images. Easy to use and store.
The secret of success is to experiment.

A Note on Paper/Cardstock
There are recognised standards of manufacturing and quality for art paper when you buy art watercolour or pastel products you know what textures, colours and weights are available, the materials used in production, and how the product will behave when used. Craft papers are a mixed bag with varying qualities depending on the fillers and coatings used in manufacture. Acid is the enemy of artwork and cheaper paper is made from wood pulp, which is acidic, fine for cards, or crafts that are ephemeral but will fade and spoil after some time. Well known paper manufacturers are usually reliable. The coating used for card effects the way a stamped image will look. Lightly coated or absorbent surfaces will 'swallow' colour, so always use water colour paper for archival (long lasting) work. However, some other cardstock do work well if not too much water is used.

Brushes
Brushes nos. 1, 0, and 00 are needed for fine work, finer than you might expect. Buy craft brushes or brushes for acrylics - they are very inexpensive. Nos. 2, 3 and 4 are suitable for larger areas. If you really like water colouring then try a sable brush. Inexpensive water colour brushes with a reservoir for water are very easy to use especially with pencils.

Watercolour Pencils (Aquarelle Pencils)
The more expensive brands have better colour depth and softer leads but even inexpensive children's pencils are good. Dip you brush in water and stroke over the pencil tip to take up the colour then paint with it. For large areas colour as usual and go over with a wet brush but beware of harsh lines. Just varying the intensity of colour will give a pretty shaded finish. For an alternative methods, draw colour onto a plastic surface and pick up/mix the colour with a wet brush, or draw around the edges of an image and 'pull' the colour into the centre with a wet brush.

Marker Pens
Markers can look harsh and unsubtle when used alone so use as paint instead. Scribble the colour onto a plastic palette or CD, or even cling film and use with a damp brush. Try colouring the stamp surface with markers and Spritzing with a fine spray of water before stamping. A 'second-generation' impression will be softer than the first impression. This technique is best with a solid image.

Inkpads

* Use a damp brush, blender pen (Dove or Marvy) or Fantastix to pick up colour from your pad, or around the edge of a new 'juicy' pad. Dabbing the pad onto the lid or cling film will give you time to mix a little colour. Brilliance inkpads as very good for this, but even dye ink works well.
* Another attractive technique is to stamp with a rainbow pad and then pull in some of the colour with a wet brush to fill the image.
* Using water colour card dampen with a sponge, swipe a rainbow pad diagonally across the surface and brush colour to blend. This makes a great background. Brilliance ink is especially good for this technique as it does not 'grab' the surface too quickly.

Watercolour Crayons
Wonderful for backgrounds. Just scribble on colour and spritz or brush for a stunning rainbow effect; over stamp for a quick and easy design. Alternatively, colour the stamp with the crayon, spritz finely and stamp for a lovely romantic effect.

Watercolour paints
Tablet paint is easier to handle than tube paint for small projects but tubes are better for large areas.

Twinklers
Well spritz the surface to soften before use and you can use a CD or white food jar lid as a palette for mixing colours.
Use a large bristle or nylon brush.
Light or dark card is suitable for beautiful, gleaming pearlescent effects.

For backgrounds

* Well dampen a piece of mulberry paper placed over a similar sized piece of card.
* Pick up paint with the brush and dab patches or lines of colours onto the surface. Place blobs of paint on the CD and use from there to avoid contaminating the pots if you want to mix or change colours without washing the brush each time.
* Spritz or brush more water over until the colours merge together.
* Dry with a heat gun, but natural drying is best. The lovely iridescent result will only be seen when dry. Press overnight to flatten.
* The tissue will be darker than the under card.
* Over stamp when dry. Both pieces are useful, the top for bolder designs and the under card for more delicate stamping.

Tissue paper
Use non colourfast 'Spectrum' or similar paper. Tear off pieces and scrunch; wet and dab onto card for backgrounds colour.
Press damp layers onto rubber stamps and stamp for a lovely watercolour effect. This requires practice but worth while as the results are lovely and quite different from other techniques.

Skill develops as you use water colours, do share your discoveries with other stampers who love to try out new ideas.

Have fun

©Freyja Lee for Blade Rubber Stamps 2007