Tips and Tricks of the Trade: Watercolor Paint

In Featured, Other Goodies! by Lynn Como

FABULOUS TUTORIAL ON WATERCOLOR PAINT

by Close to My Heart on there blog:

Waterbrush Techniques #ctmh #closetomyheart #watercolor #watercolour #waterbrush #paintingtechniques #watercolourtechniques #watercolortechniques #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting #stenciling #stencilling

We have a special treat in store today! Our Creative Arts Manager, Karen Pedersen, is showing us a few creative and easy watercolor techniques using our small round and medium round waterbrushes!

Waterbrush Techniques #ctmh #closetomyheart #watercolor #watercolour #waterbrush #paintingtechniques #watercolourtechniques #watercolortechniques #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting #stenciling #stencilling

Unlike a traditional paintbrush, the handle of a waterbrush is made up of a water reservoir, eliminating the need for a water cup. The light colored bristles allow the painter to easily determine their color load and paint concentration, and the included cap protects the bristles and brush head while also sealing the water inside.

If you are accustomed to using traditional paintbrushes, you will notice that controlling a waterbrush is quite different. With a little practice, however, you too will find your groove and discovery why we love them!

Follow along with Karen, below, and pick up a few tips and tricks for making a waterbrush work for you!

The first watercolor technique you saw teaches how to create a colorful background like the one on this page. Using a medium round waterbrush, lay down watercolor paint onto an all-purpose mat. Then, lay the paper you want to add the color to facedown onto the paint and allow it to soak up for a few seconds. Turn your paper right side up and let it dry before continuing with your project.

Waterbrush Techniques #ctmh #closetomyheart #watercolor #watercolour #waterbrush #paintingtechniques #watercolourtechniques #watercolortechniques #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting #stenciling #stencilling

If you look closely, you’ll see that in this Welcome card, we have two different watercolor techniques to talk through. The first, is the stenciled background. Using a stencil we created out of a stencil sheet and a Cricut® shape, we were able to paint a beautiful watercolor textured background with a medium round waterbrush. The second technique Karen talks through is how to achieve the detail and color variation seen in the plants of this card using the small round waterbrush.

Waterbrush Techniques #ctmh #closetomyheart #watercolor #watercolour #waterbrush #paintingtechniques #watercolourtechniques #watercolortechniques #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting #stenciling #stencilling

The last technique we share can easily make any of us look like watercolor experts! Instead of ink, add watercolor paint to a raised stamp and use it to create the image on your artwork! Look how beautiful those leaves turned out on this card! Make sure not to add too much water to avoid ending up with a blobby image. (In the video above, Karen shows you how!)

Are you a FAN of small round and medium round waterbrushes?  I love them for paints as well as watercolor pencils.  I especially enjoy using them with my dye based ink pads.  These brushes also work well with chalk and markers too!  Enjoy these fabulous tips and tricks and TOOLS of the Trade that are super inexpensive but add an extra large value to any watercolor images you create!  Enjoy & happy painting!