Wednesday, May 14, 2014

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)

23 comments:

Bridget said...

Loll, your tree is amazing! And I really appreciate your watercoloring tips, I'm developing a bit of an obsession with it, so I need all the help I can get - especially like the tip about ironing as it was kind of uncomfortable sitting on a book to press out the warps! Your DD cards are fabulous too!

Betty said...

your spatter painted tree is fantastic! i'm still working on mine:-)

Barb said...

Your tree turned out beautifully!

Nancy Seed said...

Wow your classes are really paying off. The tree is beautiful. You keep saying that your other tries are not as great but I would imagine that they are just as good. You could always save them for cut outs for other projects even if they didn't make the first cut. Great job, keep them coming!

Val said...

Love your tree! I haven't tried it yet...not sure that hand painting is really my "thing".

Kim Jolley said...

Your tree is gorgeous!

jasann said...

Your tree is lovely, so much better than mine, I am honest, watercolouring is not really my "thing" and your other cards are really lovely to!!!

shirley-bee said...

Fabulous tree, Loll! And some great tips, too, I haven't attempted this homework yet.

sandie said...

Great job Loll! I have been waiting to see what you did with this lesson as I would have loved to do this particular session and looks like you are really the artist!

Stamps and Paper said...

Fabulous tree Loll stunning watercolours...love your other two little creations

Anne

Brenda said...

Wow, that hand painted/splattered tree is amazing Loll!!! I don't think I could ever pull off something like this. I love how it looks and I love the muted colors. I still can't believe how beautiful this tree is and how you did it! Love it!! I also love that cute snail card-such a cute card for sure!! And the plane card, love that one as well. Awesome cards Loll!! Hugs

Julia Aston said...

Well Loll - I'd say you 'aced' that splatter class! Your tree is wonderful!! and your SCS cards are both so cute!

JJ said...

Beautiful cards Loll, love the splattered tree.

Love & Hugs

Jacquie J xxx
http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Colorado Crafter said...

Very cool tree! You did a great job! I've not tried watercoloring on any of my cards yet so I really appreciate your tips on when to use a little water and when to use a lot of water. That is very helpful.

Susan said...

Your hand-painted / splattered tree is wonderful! When I saw this section of the watercolour course, I thought it was totally out of my depth, but you've inspired me to give it a try at some point.

Petra Swart said...

What a beautiful tree you have created, Loll!! Lovely card!!

Love your cute snail and aeroplane!! Both such sweet cards!!

Greetings from SA.

Harriet Skelly said...

Loll your tree is beautifully done!! Thanks for telling us what you learned from your few tires at it and a great suggestion to practice on a smaller piece of paper before going to a card front size!!

nancy littrell said...

I LOVE Your splattered tree Loll :-) TFS all your tips too. You are brave to try this technique my friend. TFS your artistic tree and your past DD Cards.

Darnell said...

Absolutely marvelous cards, Lolly! I had a feeling that you would nail that difficult watercolor tree technique. I'm still back at Day Five, but boy, not you! You have rocked this class, just like I thought you would. Thank you for all the wonderful tips you provided!! (See, sometimes it pays to be behind! I'm like your adorable snail!) Have a great weekend! Hugs, Dolly

Nonni said...

Brilliant cards! The two last cards are so bright and fun... And I could not believe it that you have hand painted the tree! Wow and wow! I was sure it was a stamp you had stamped with watercolors. You are super good at this, Loll! xxx

Bonnie said...

What a beautiful tree! Can't wait to try that technique! Love the snail and the airplane. Such happy cards!

Unknown said...

*sigh* This tree is beautiful...what a gorgeous effect!

Lee-Anne said...

Love how your tree turned out, Loll...you've really aced this homework :) Your other cards are just so sweet...love that snail!