Simon Says Stamp STAMPTEMBER 2016 Blog Hop!

It's the Stamptember Blog Hop for Simon Says Stamp's new September product release today - whooohooooooey! I'm so excited to be part of this hop as I have a brand new set of watercolor cards to share with you! 

My newest set of watercolor cards that are part of this Stamptember release are all birthday themed card fronts. They are called "Suzy's Birthday Notes Watercolor Paintable Prints" and here is an image of the 12 cards:

I'll be showing each one of these colored with a different coloring tool and then give you tips/techniques to use when coloring with this tool. So let's get started!

PEERLESS WATERCOLOR PAPERS:

I purchased a set of these some time ago, but I rarely use them. They were really fun to pull out and use and I actually think they do a great job! The main negative to them is they only last so long, so if you are watercoloring all the time like I am, they are not the ONLY tool you will need for the job. But on the plus side, they are perfect for traveling and painting on the go - small and compact with so much color!

1. I wrote a number on the back of each of mine and then made a chart of the colors by number; it is hard to tell what color they will produce without a color chart to refer to
2. Touch a wet brush to the papers and pick up some color - apply onto the dry watercolor panel
3. Once dry, add some additional color without as much water so it is more intense for shading (se red hearts)
4. The colors dye the paper, so they are hard to move around once they are down - so work quickly (don't leave edges that you want to blend with other colors - see where I mixed the purple and blue - it was hard to blend the two colors)

PH MARTINS HYDRUS LIQUID WATERCOLORS:

These liquid watercolors that come in a glass jar are very intense/saturated. They can be used as is or mixed with water for less intense color. The difference between the Hydrus and the other watercolor ones by PH Martins is the Hydrus are light fast - so they are good for art pieces that you don't want to fade. But if you are color coping art for reproduction, the less expensive watercolor ones are good to use and they come in more colors!

1. These paints are very intense right out of the jar - so be careful! Add water if you want less intensity.
2. Apply with a dry brush for texture (lines on the grass)
3. Mix with water to get a more subtle look (roof)
4. These are great for brush lettering as they are already wet so you just use a wet brush and apply the color without having to mix it

WATERCOLOR PENCILS:

I used Faber Castelle watercolor pencils, but SSS carries the Derwent brand that are quite popular and really good. They have them in different sets - I've linked the 24 set. You don't need a lot of colors. I have 24 colors and I have never needed more.

1. Don't have your pencils too sharp or they will leave marks when you color with them - a dull pencil will blend with water better
2. Color pencils on scratch paper and wet and pick up color to apply OR color directly on the image and spread the color with water
3. After it is dry, color another layer and leave the pencil marks (as I did on the bear so it has texture)
4. Add some shading while still wet and you will get more saturated color (inside of blue flowers)
5. Great to add shading over any type of watercolors (I use them over my tube watercolor paintings)

KURETAKE GANSAI TAMBI WATERCOLORS:

These watercolors come in sets of 12, 24 and 36. I have linked the 36 set as that is the one I have and I love all of the colors. These are VERY intense colors!

1. These are cakes that need to be wet to be used; they are not as quality as tube watercolors, but are really good for non-artist brand paint 
2. The colors are very intense, so apply lightly to a set background (you can see how I kept them light by wetting the paper first behind the words above)
3. Drop some color into a wet area to get lots of shading (used this technique on the blue flower petals)
4. Add shading and dots once the paint is dry (see flowers)

ZIG CLEAN COLOR BRUSH MARKERS:

You can purchase these in different sets, but I've linked the set of 48 above as that is the set I have. I love these markers and use them all the time. If I don't use them to paint as I did in the example above, I use them to add shading when I paint with regular tube watercolors or any other method listed.

1. Color along the edges and then pull the color into the center with a water brush or wet watercolor brush (I prefer the latter as I have more control over the amount of water that is used)
2. These are dye based so like dye ink pads, the color DYES the paper which gives you more intense color than expensive watercolors, but it is hard to move the color around once you apply it - so work in small areas wetting soon after applied
3. Great for painting on the go - throw a few in your purse and take with you!
4. Use very sparingly with lots of water leaving white area or use really intense by coloring the entire area and not using water; blend colors together with the brushes
5. Color on a stamp block and mix colors or use one color then mix two to blend the two then use the second color by itself

WATERCOLOR CRAYONS:

I've linked the watercolor crayons by Ranger - there are several sets or you can buy them one at a time at Simon Says Stamp. I've used Neocolors for the above which are similar to the Ranger ones. 

1. Color a splotch on a piece of scrap paper, then apply a wet brush to pick up color to paint (I do this instead of applying the crayon directly to your design)
2. The crayons have a waxy finish, so they don't spread as easily as regular watercolors; but this makes them GREAT for mixed media projects or used over gesso
3. Paint with them as I described in #1 or apply them directly to the area and move them around to paint (this way may leave some lines as it is hard to liquify all of them)
4. Use the crayons right on your painted images to add shading (see purple girt) or to add lines (see blue gift) or to shade (see flowers)
5. Color behind the title and smear with your finger to shade

GOUACHE:

Gouache is a paint that is kind of a mix between watercolors and acrylic paint. It is more opaque than watercolor, but if you use it with more water, it can still be translucent like watercolor. I have a set of Holbein that I love to use when I want really strong color on my paintings. I mix them right into my watercolor palette.

1. Use a damp brush with no water for really opaque coverage like you see on the cupcake wrapper - this uses no water at all; the colors easily blend together to shade like acrylic paints do
2. Use more like watercolors (transparent) by adding some water before applying like in the frosting
3. I mix white gouache in with my regular watercolors to lighten them; I also use white gouache to cover mistakes or apply a base before adding a color to cover another color
4. Use in place of acrylics - it's like having both types of paint in one palette! 

COPIC MARKERS:

You can use Copic markers on the Ranger watercolor paper even though no water is needed! My watercolor card fronts don't have to use watercolors - any coloring method/medium will work just fine!

1. Mix two completely different colors by using strokes and mixing them in the center as I did on the cake
2. Use for backgrounds by applying a light color first and then shade around the letters with a darker color for titles or salutations
3. Apply Wink of Stella over the top for shine and use a white Uniball over for opaque white dots or stripes

DISTRESS INKS:

I am a big fan of using Distress Inks for watercoloring. Even though I have expensive tube watercolors, I often use my Distress Inks instead because they have qualities that expensive watercolors don't. I love how they blend together and don't stain the paper - you have time to move them around on the paper before they dry because they reactivate with water added. 

1. Apply several layers as I did on the balloon for very intense color
2. Can be used with or without water depending on how intense you want the color; because they are wet when you press them on a slick surface such as a stamp block, you can use them as is with no water added
3. Splatter water on dry paint and let sit for about 30 secs; dab up with a paper towel for bleached areas
4. Use very opaque or very translucent - I used lots of water on the background behind the clown; the color can be down for a while and still move around (it doesn't stain the paper)
5. Let dry between coats to add shading and texture

TUBE WATERCOLORS:

I am in love with my tube watercolor palette. They are the best quality - artist grade - of any of the watercolor options I have shown today. And the price is much higher because of this! You can mix different brands in a palette depending on which you prefer. I have several brands that I have tried out and Daniel Smith is my favorite.

1. Good tube paints don't stain the paper, so they can dry and you can still move the color around and fix mistakes by adding more water to an area and dabbing up the paint (they reactivate with water)
2. Mix colors on your palette - you don't need a lot of colors - the set that I linked above is the one I started with and only has six colors; you just mix them to create all the other colors you need
3. Tube watercolors last forever making the price worth it!
4. Add sheen with pearlescent Daniel Smith watercolors as I did on the cake - it's a much less expensive way to add shine than by using a Wink of Stella pen
5. Layer by letting dry and then adding more color on top of it

I hope these different coloring methods/options were helpful to you. I love using different watercolor types on these preprinted watercolor cards, but my favorites are Distress Inks and Tube Watercolors. But you can use ANY coloring mediums on these cards (printed on Ranger Watercolor paper). Most of my cards above are made with the new Simon Says Stamp Glimmery Yardstick Assortment as my card bases. I love this new glittery cardstock that came out with this Stamptember release. 

One lucky person is going to win a Dream Craft Room from Simon Says Stamp and their sponsors. To register to win A Dream Craft Room with Simon Says Stamp go to this link HERE ! There is a video you can watch that will tell you all about this exciting contest!!! 

Next on the blog hop is YANA SMAKULA.

Thank you for visiting today - have a great blog hop and hopefully shopping spree!!! There are links to all of my other watercolor card sets on the left of my blog. xoxo Suzy

InLinkz.com

Comments

[Anne Sturgeon]

Great job Suzy. They are all adorable. I am always on the lookout for projects I can travel with. Thanks so much.

[Mary J]

These cards are the best!! Absolutely the best...what wonderful examples!!!!

[Barbara Adams]

Love your designs and coloring! So fun!

[Maude Beakley]

All of your cards are beautiful. I really appreciated the comments on the various types of watercolor paints -- very helpful.

[FeM]

I like your coloring...the colors are perfect.

[Louise]

Awesome job on those, I love the watercoloring.

[barb macaskill]

HOw wonderful!!! I really love all of these and by showing us so many options to color them is truly fantabulous!! THANK YOU!!! I have many of these coloring mediums and am glad to know they will all work with these!!! TFS!

[Sue D]

Very cute set of cards. Love the bear and the hot air balloon.

[Heather Ferguson]

Love these- how fun and colorful!!!

[NatQuebec]

They are all so cute 😊

[Martha R]

I appreciate how many cards you showed us and all the information about the products you used!! ... A free class. :)
Thank you very much!

[betty lou]

Thank you so much for the information! Great cards...design and coloring!

[Diana @ playingwithoutlimits]

Love water color

[Teresa Godines #6857]

Very pretty cards. TFS

[Dottie]

Very colorful cards😊

[Barb Mc]

Thank you so much the comprehensive color comparisons! I learned a lot! I love your watercolor printables (I have most of them!). Thanks for the great designs and all the inspiration!

[Jayell]

Great cards and fun designs

[Jennifer K]

I love them all and I really appreciate all the information and tips you provided on each different colouring option, that was incredible of you to do!!! I adore all of the designs you make and I have used many of them for my card fronts, not only are they convenient they are beautiful and fun to colour.

[Haejin Kang]

Beautiful cards! Love the cards~ What a quick, but beautiful way to make a card~

[Rebecca Ednie]

I love the ones with the sweets! They are so cute!

[Nancy Wilcox]

Beautiful designs and coloring.

[DebbieC]

Wonderful cards. Great to see the different coloring options. I have been using
Faber Castelle watercolor pencils as well but have now started playing with distressed inks.

[Betty Sue]

Wow you've been busy!!!!!! ❤️ Love all the ways you colored these cute cards!!!

[Abby]

Thanx for the great cards. I'm beginning to be a fan of this type of craft.

[Linda Neely]

Thank you for the birthday inspiration. Just in time for my sweet DIL's special day.