Monday, July 20, 2020

Split 4 with Watercolouring

Hi everyone.  I'm back with another set of cards using the Split 4 technique (click here for link to video by Robin Broome).  This time I took a little extra time to watercolour my cards once all the stamping was done and the cards were cut apart.  I love how all four turned out.  This stamp set from Stampin' Up! (Forever Fern) is perfect for this technique. :)

I used three colours of distress inks (twisted citron, evergreen bough, pine needles).  I thought I'd watercolour all four card fronts BEFORE cutting them apart.  Being a lefty, my hand dragged across the stamped images and smeared ink.  I was able to use that to my advantage by watercolouring the smeared ink into the blue watercolouring you see around in the background.  But now I know it's best to cut them apart before watercolouring. :)  Always learning something! :)

Here's a close-up of the other three from the set ...



I hope you'll give this fun technique a try.  FYI, distress inks worked really well for this  Because they are so easily dissolved with water, I could stamp them all and not worry about how much time I took to start watercolouring.  I have since tried this using dye inks, but once they have dried, you can't get the colour to move.  So if you want to use inks to watercolour, distress inks are important when doing this technique with watercolouring.

Since this is a new-to-me stamp set, I'm adding my card to the NBUS #16 gallery (never-before-used-schtuff).  I hope you'll join me there!

Products
Forever Fern (Stampin' Up!)






Stamps:  Forever Fern (SU!); Painted Petals - retired (SU!)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Water brush

Challenges:
NBUS #16 Challenge


34 comments:

Mac Mable said...

A beautiful new stamp set Loll. What fabulous water colouring and thank you for the tip about using distress inks for this split 4 technique x.
The colour combination looks amazing and your stamping is fabulous and so pretty. Stunning collection of cards from the one technique and always learning my end too Loll and isn't it great? x.

Tina Z. said...

Wow, they are all stunning.

Colleen said...

Another amazing set of cards...I tried this and it was just okay, I might be overthinking it (ha ha) so I pulled out another stamp and will give it a try because I think this is a fabulous technique! thanks for giving me so much awesome inspiration! Heart Hugs, col

nancy littrell said...

OMG...More Fabulous Split-4 Stamping technique cards, Lolly!!! I loved your colors for your watercolored stamped ferns, your watercolored backgrounds, and added splatters along with wonderful sentiments!!! Now you have me inspired to make more Split-4 cards:-) TFS my dear incredibly creative friend. Love and Hugs..Nancy

Nstiz said...

Beautiful job on this technique, Loll and what a perfect stamp you chose for it. What a wonderful way you finished them off too with your soft, subtle backgrounds!

marilyn said...

I do like your cards, but I'm not sure what you're gaining by doing it this way...rather than just stamping 4 separate panels. Is it faster? Or....clearly I must be missing something! Wouldn't be the first time... LOL!

Maria said...

All stunning cards, Loll!! Sounds like a fun technique! Such wonderful color with the pretty leaves!!

Leslie Miller said...

Your beautiful cards in such appealing-to-me colors have finally put me over the edge... I just came from ordering this set plus a couple other things from SU. I've been saying I need more solid-image stamps. I love how you did this all watercolory, sigh... my favorite medium. Must try this split 4 technique!

Pat said...

The leaves are beautiful and the watercolouring using those two pretty greens is just gorgeous. This split 4 technique is great for making a batch of cards and love that they are similar but not the same, so much more interesting than identical I think. x

mamawcindy said...

Your cards are so pretty, Love that stamp set. I'm a Lefty to. Happy Day to You!
cindys-greencricut

Christine Alexander said...

thanks for the tip on using Distress inks, now that I have this set I'm dying to try watercolouring. Great colour combo Loll. I have 28 cards in my stash because of you :)

Susan Joyce said...

Love the Split 4 Stamping Loll, your fern and leaf cards are stunning. Will have to have a go at this CAS technique.

TK said...

Beautiful and fun-looking technique! I love that you saved the day with your w/c background!

Darnell said...

Another awesome Quad using the Split-4 technique, Lolly! It's great that your leftiness ended up being a plus with the beautiful watercoloring! I really love how that citron brightens the whole cluster. I thought the evergreen branch set was my fave, but now that I've seen these ... I'll call it a tie! Thanks for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Hope you are keeping well! Love, Dolly

Anita in France said...

What a gorgeous effect you created with the soft watercolouring, Loll ... the colour combo is just delicious! Another fantastic showcase for the Split 4 technique (which I plan on trying too, so thanks for the tips!). Hugs, Anita :)

kiwimeskreations said...

What beautiful cards Loll, loving the split 4 Technique - I must try it! Your colours are stunning on these cards
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Sue - said...

Beautiful cards Loll and your watercolouring is fab. I love this technique !

Linda said...

These look beautiful, I love your watercolouring, and your colours are such a pretty combination.
I didn't realise you were left-handed ..... me too! So I can sympathize with the smudging. Great save by the way!
I do love this stamp set, and after seeing your creations I had to have it. It arrived in my craft room yesterday ...... now I just need some time to play! xx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

SO Beautiful, love each of them.
Take care
faith x

Viv said...

Gorgeous stamps Loll and a technique I will now try. Beautiful cards! x

Marcia Hill said...

Another set of GORGEOUSNESS Loll! The Split 4 is kinda addicting, isn't it?! I love the look you achieved with water coloring and thanks for the tip about the DI...good to know! I love the colors you used too...that Twisted Citron really pops against the darker greens! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hugs. :0)

I Card Everyone said...

I love your version of this split 4 technique! Lovely color choices, and I have all my chosen stamps at the ready for a bit of stamping with a friend - virtual style! Thanks for the tip using DI's!
=]

Brenda in IN said...

All four of these are lovely, Loll. The colors are so pretty and the technique is a wonderful way to make four cards at once. Yes, that is the piece I made when we Zoomed on my blog.

nancy littrell said...

I was admiring your Gorgeous watercolored Split-4 cards again and realized the splatters were from the splatter stamp in the same Forever Ferns set:-) I used Distress Oxides on my cards, which worked great for moving the inks. I want to try Distress inks next time...a little different effect, I think. Thank you so much for describing your awesome technique, my dear friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Bonnie said...

This stamp set IS perfect for this technique and adding the watercoloring makes stunning cards! Can't wait for my set to get here!

HilaryJane said...

This really did work well, I love the colours and that light wash background with some lovely splatters xx

Karen Dunbrook said...

such gorgeous card each and every one of them....
xx Karen

Vicky Hayes said...

Such a brilliant technique - I must try it! I love how you share your trials and 'errors' (or opportunities as we like to call them!) Such beautiful cards. Thanks for always teaching me something new! Vicky x

Trina P. said...

Four beautiful cards. Great job stamping the design. Gorgeous watercoloring as always. Such a cool technique... I’ll have to give it a try.
Love this stamp set... too bad it’s not offered as a clear stamp. 😕

Papercraft Boutique said...

This stamp set and the Split-4 technique seem to be the things in the spotlight now. All four cards are fabulous! I actually love the soft and flowing visual texture of your originally-smeared-ink-turned-into-watercoloring! :-) The color combo of the leaves is so summery and beautiful!
I've watched so many of your video tutorials and I didn't noticed you were a lefty!
Hideko xx

Robyn Oliver said...

This is a 'way cool' technique - such an easy way to make four cards... love your sets Loll, these leafy colours are fabulous - seems I'm going to have to keep my eye out for some larger leafy stamps after searching through my lot and coming up empty -- great inspiration, hugs Robyn

Ros Crawford said...

I have got to try this... Your cards are wonderful!

Barb Ghig said...

Four really gorgeous cards, Loll! I love your color palette and choice of flowers for this technique...just perfect in every way! Thanks for adding the tip about Distress inks ~ xx

BożenA said...

Recently, on a hot sunny day, I was sitting under a linden tree and saw exactly what was on your card. Some of the leaves were intensely green, and some of the leaves were so strongly exposed to the sun that it was almost yellow. Exactly like on your cards. What you have done is beautiful and allows you to think back to those fleeting moments when linden gave me shelter from the scorching sun. Four amazing cards.
xx