Watercoloring with Markers

 

There are many different techniques/advice/ tutorials found all over the internet. It can be overwhelming! I have tried many different techniques, and this is what has worked for me. 

Be aware, watercoloring takes PRACTICE and patience.  It does not happen immediately.  The more time and practice, the better the end result will be.

If you are a beginner to water coloring with markers, I recommend that you use water color paper.  The watercolor paper absorbs moisture and distributes both ink and water evenly. 

The images I will be working with today is from the “Morning Cup” stamp set.

Supplies needed for today’s Water Color With Markers Tutorial:

1.    Stamps:   Morning Cup (or your preference)

2.    Card Stock:  Stampin’ Up watercolor paper.  Alternatively, choose an ultra smooth card stock 80 lb. or better… Stampin’ Up! Whisper White works well.

3.    Accessories: Stampin’ Write Markers – water based markers with both brush and fine tips.  Aqua Painter filled with water (use fine brush tip) Basic Black Classic Ink or  Stazon Classic Ink  and a clear mount block to scribble ink.

Step by Step:

1.    Ink image with Basic Black Classic Ink or Black Stazon, stamp onto Watercolor Paper and let dry.  I prefer Stazon.

2.    Now for the coloring with Stampin Write Markers.   For each image you will require a darker shade to outline with and a lighter shade to color with.

    Use the darker color Stampin’ Write Marker to outline the teapot image and everything that touches it.  This is a very important step which will help minimize bleed-through of both stamped adjacent image outlines and/or color.  

       

3.    Use the brush tip of your marker, scribble lighter shade Marker onto clear mount stampblock.

4.    Dab excess water from the tip of the Aqua Painter, pick up scribbled paint and dab off onto scrap paper to check intensity and water flow.  Now you must color image from the outside marker-lined edges towards the middle.  Take care not to over-saturate the image!!

5.    Be very careful that your image does not become over saturated, if it does, dab with paper towel to absorb excess and control flow of ink. Brushing from the outer outlines, inward will leave a ‘white space’ in the center.

6.      To make your image “pop” it may be necessary to let dry and then  re-apply ink layers until desired affect is achieved

7.    Determine light source… where the light is coming from, and where the shadows will fall. 

8.    Scribble Bashful Blue Marker stamp block.  Wet with water from aqua painter to make a very small puddle of ink and water.

9.    Dab-off aqua painter, and paint shadow around entire image, lighter on the side with the light source, heavier where there is little or none. 

Now, get out your stamps and markers and HAVE FUN!!!