Watercolour Oak Leaves

Today I had my first watercolor lesson with my son, Jeremy.  He has his visual arts degree from SFU and is in his final semester for his teaching certificate.  Little did he know that he'd have to deal with unruly students like his mother :)

I really wanted to learn how to do a pansy ... but they are very complicated for a first-timer, so we started with a simple leaf sprig instead.  I thought I did really well ... quite proud of myself ... that was until I put it beside Jer's ... oh well, as with learning anything, it's practice, practice, practice.  As you can guess, my painting is on the right.

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Another "watercolor" today using the Aqua Painter.  This is the first time I used the oak leaf stamp from Lovely as a Tree set (SU!).  The instructions for making this watercolor oak leaf are the same as for the Oak Tree, so if you're interested in trying this technique, check out my Watercolor Oak Tree Tutorial on the tutorial page.  Hope you like.

"Watercolor Oak Leaves"

 

 

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree; Just Believe (sentiment) (SU!)

Paper:  Soft Suede, Autumn Traditions Designer Series paper - acorns, Very Vanilla (SU!); Arches 140lb. cold press "Natural White" watercolor paper

Ink:  Soft Suede; Stampin' Write Markers:  So Saffron, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede

Accessories & Tools:  Aqua Painter, sponge, Dark Brown Suede strip, sticky strips and dimensionals

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I used the Old Olive Stampin' Write marker and Aqua Painter to create a "wash" for the background of the watercolor paper.  I inked the Oak Leaves stamp with Stampin' Write markers: Soft Suede for branch and acorn; So Saffron for tips of leaves; Old Olive for leaves; Always Artichoke down the middle of each leaf.  I stamped in the middle of the large piece of watercolor paper and used my Aqua Painter to add water. 

Tip:  Do not add much water to the acorn - you want the definition of show.  After watercoloring, I dried my work with the heat tool and then took the fine end of the Always Artichoke marker to lightly draw in the veins of the leaves to add more definition.  I also added fine lines with the Soft Suede marker to the branch and acorn.  I stamped the sentiment in Soft Suede ink onto the small piece of watercolor paper.

I sponged the edges of all pieces (including the front of the card) with Soft Suede to give it an aged look.
I mounted the watercolored leaves onto the frame of Soft Suede and tied the piece of dark brown suede around the bottom.

I mounted the Very Vanilla cardstock onto one of the Acorn papers and adhered them to the inside of the card.

I mounted the other Acorn paper to the front of the card base.  I added the framed leaves and sentiment, popping them up to add dimension.