I thought I'd share some of the things I've been up to lately. Since it's hotter than heck here in D.C. (heat index of 105--this Minnesota girl is having a hard time with the heat). I've been doing a lot of indoor activities lately.
I'm involved in a chunky book swap for Rubber Chicken Stamp Art with the theme It's summertime and the living is easy. Here is my submission.
The quote says happiness is a long summer afternoon and a good book.
Unfortunately the color is a bit off, the light in my apartment is horrible.
Watercolor Backgrounds How To
I've also been working on my newest love--making backgrounds using watercolors. You get such a variety and you never know what you'll end up with, but it always looks good. In the pictures below I'm using two shades of blue and a dark blue green. I just love the combination.
I start by laying down my most used tool--my $1 vinyl table cloth (which I lay over my table whenever I craft, makes for easy clean up).
Then I cover the water color (a few sheets at a time) with clean water, this gives the color a more dreamy transparent look. It also facilitates bleeding of the color quickly after application which gives great results.
Then I apply the color (darkest color first) directly to the wet paper in swirls and wavy lines (right off the edge of the paper sometimes (which is where the vinyl table cloth comes in handy)), whatever suits my f
ancy at the time. If the color gets to dark, I just add more water. I keep layering the color until I'm satisfied with the results and let them dry overnight.Then they are ready to be stacked and flattened by a large book (because they get curly with all the water I add to the paper).
The watercolored papers are great as backgrounds for inchies, ATCs, collage, cards, or anything else you can think of.
Thanks Artsy Mama for having the party!
15 comments:
Thanks for the how to!!! Cute!
I love to play with watercolors & often do watercolor backgrounds for my journal-it's fast, easy & so rewarding. Thanks for sharing
Lovely!
so happy to meet you.... such a pleasure to meet you and find your blog!
great minds think alike... as I too have been loving making backgrounds for my art journal. I have been using acrylics (the cheap ones) and doing the same technique as far as just running the colors together. such fun, and i feel like I'm a little kid again playing wildly with my paints.
I love watercolor backgrounds too!!! but I use things like salt, plastic wrap and aluminum foil. You can see some of my backgrounds on some of my faces on my blog.
http://kagedfish.blogspot.com/2007/08/tea-party.html
Great backgrounds! I'm in D.C. too and nearly burning up lately. I really like your blog, and am glad to "meet" another arty blogger near me.
Beautiful! These look like the sea.
I think sometimes we think for something to be creative it has to also be difficult. Well, duh! Of course not. Thanks for that reminder.
I also love my flannel backed tablecloths. Tacked to the wall flannel backing side out, they make a great design wall for quilters.
beautiful backgrounds!
how fun...i love watercolored backgrounds...blessings, rebecca
Thanks for such a great tutorial.
Ohhh, I just love watercolor backgrounds! I have those liquid watercolors that make the colors hugely bright and vivid. Great tutorial. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the tutorial.
I'm still getting around to all the parties! This is a great idea and I can think of so many uses! Thanks for sharing!
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