There is so much fun to be had with Watercolour paints. It can seem daunting, and you might not know where to start, but it's actually very simple. So read on for what you'll need, a step-by-step guide and top tips to get creative and transform your occasion stationery using Watercolour paints.
You will need:
Jar of water (eg. an old jam jar, but any jar will do!)
Paint brush (smaller brushes work better here)
Watercolour paint set
Paper to test and blot
Kitchen roll / cotton wool bud (for mistakes)
Optional: A curious mindset, Kickass playlist, Inspirational moodboard and colours
Step One: Mix your colours
Test your colours on a separate piece of paper, until you are happy with your 3 – 4 colours to work with (or less, depending on the style or look you are going for).
Step Two: Add your colours
Clean your brush in your clean water jar. Load your paintbrush with your first colour and blot any excess onto your spare paper. You don't need much water or much colour, and remember you can always build it up. It's easier to add colour, rather than take away. Start to add colours to the design. A triangle structure can be a great way to do this so the way the colours look across the design is pleasing to the eye. See top tips on painting techniques below:
Technique 1: Mix colours wet on wet
This is the beauty of Watercolours! Before your colours dry on the paper, try adding another colour on top of what you've just painted. This is technique is called Wet-on-Wet. Colours merge and create unique blooming effects as colour bleed into each other while they are wet.
Technique 2: Mix colours wet on dry
If you'd like more control of how your paint looks on the paper, you can wait for your paint to dry before adding depth of colour on top, or another colour to add interest.
Experiment: You might like to try out these techniques in advance before starting to paint your design, to see what effects you like. Enjoy, have fun and share your creations before you post them, I'd love to see them!
Top Tips:
Don't use too much water on the paper. It will warp the card!
Don't worry about painting outside of the lines, or not fully filling with colour inside the lines. This in fact makes it personal & unique. It will have a charm that you cannot buy.
If you make a mistake, try gently blotting the colour/water with some kitchen roll, or use a cotton wool bud like an eraser while wet, until the mistake is less visible. Let dry. Then carry on! Again, mistakes are not necessarily a bad thing and will add a home made charm to your creation.
Shop for the best quality paint you can afford, the more professional the paint the more pigment (colour). Pans are handy to transport and store instead of using tubes, but it's whichever you like.
Clean water = cleaner, brighter colours
Don't be afraid to mix your colours on the paper.
Less water = more intense colour
More water = more washed out look
Don't be afraid to combine mediums for unique look. You could also use colouring pens or glitter pens, etc to add detail once the paint is dry.
You can do it!
Marie x
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