Splattered Tree

Hi everyone.  Today's lessons at the on-line watercoloring class I'm taking is all about hand painting.  I know, that's just crazy! :)

I love making cards, but I am no artist, so I was skeptical when I started with the first lesson of splattering a tree.  This is my fourth attempt and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  I learned a lot from the first ones I tried that didn't make it into this post. :)

For me, the most important thing was how much water to mist onto the paper (not too much) and how much water to add to my watercolor paints before splattering (lots!).  Learning to control where the splatters go (at least to a certain degree), was also helpful ... my first tree spread across the whole page :)

I have also learned to cut my watercolor paper into small pieces for experimenting and learning, and then switching to card front size when I'm comfortable enough to make a card ... saves lots of wasted watercolor paper. :)

I'll also pass along another great tip I learned from Debby Hughes ... watercolor paper tends to warp sometimes when it gets wet.  Once the piece is finished and dry, Debby recommends placing it between two sheets of paper (I used computer paper) and iron flat ... it works!  Rather than stacking heavy books and having to leave the card front overnight, this was a quick fix - LOVE IT!

As I mentioned, the tree is "painted" using paint splatters.  I hand painted the tree trunk and then added a simple Paper Smooches sentiment from their "Many Thanks" stamp set.

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I'm sharing two more of my Dirty Dozen Design Team cards from last October that weren't published on my blog.  Again, the theme was "It's about Time".  Both cards are whimsical and fun ...

I LOVE Bugaboo digital images.  They are so fun and easy to work with.  The expression on the snail's face is what got me with this one :)  I was smiling the whole time I was making this card! :)

And, I had fun making this little scene about going on vacation.  I stamped the airplane, colored with Copics and used the matching die to cut.  I added crystal effects to the windshield and propeller.

So Sorry I'm Late card:
Stamps:  Polka-dot Snail (Bugaboo); Word Salad (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Snap Color Vibe and Snap Life DP (Simple Stories)
Ink:  Black, Real Red (SU!); Copics - Gray (W4)
Accessories & Tools:  Honeydew Twine (The Twinery), clear glitter

Fly Away with Me card:
Stamps:  Fly Away with Me (C.C. Designs)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Daffodil Delight (SU!); Copics
Ink:  Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Fly Away with Me dies (C.C. Designs), Puffy Clouds die (Memory Box), Small Sunshine die (Lil' Inkers)