Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop - Day 1 - Fresh Bloom Release

Today is the first of a two day Simon Says Stamp blog hop for their newest product release called Fresh Bloom. I have a new set of watercolor cards in this release called You're Tweet. Here is an image:

I think I mentioned last month that I got a new iPad for Christmas, so this is my first official set of watercolor cards that are drawn digitally. This means they are cleaner and more graphic with solid lines instead of thin messy doodled lines. What I am trying to say is they look better. So if you haven't liked them in the past, try them again and I think you will like them better. I'm a pro now - or learning to be one haha. With no digital art training, I am doing my best! Here are all 12 cards colored with close up images of most. At the end of all of these photos, I'll give you some basic coloring tips I use on them!

CARD 1:

CARD 2:

CARD 3:

 

CARD 4:

CARD 5:

 

CARD 6:

 

CARD 7:

 

CARD 8:

 

CARD 9:

 

CARD 10:

 

CARD 11:

CARD 12:

Here are some tips to use when coloring these watercolor cards:

• These are printed on the smooth side of Ranger Watercolor Paper which is pure white. The paper works well for any coloring medium, not just watercolor. I use a combo of watercolors for the backgrounds and larger areas and colored pencils for the smaller more detailed areas. Copic markers or any other markers work well on this paper as well. Or you can combine them all on one card!
• I die-cut all of the cards with a large rectangle die that makes them just one size smaller than a card base. This allows me to attach them to a colored card which frames the designs. 
• I use a wet on wet technique for the backgrounds. I wet the paper first on the entire area I want to paint and then I apply more saturated color closest to the image and let the color move outward. You can see that many of my backgrounds don't go all the way out to the edge of each card. 
• I use two types of colored pencils, but any type will work. I have Prismacolors which are wax based and are very smooth and blend well. I also have Polychromos by Faber Castelle which are oil based. They go on more like a regular pencil and the tips stay sharp longer. They don't build up a waxy residue like the Prismacolors, so you can blend them in more layers. But they don't blend as well as Prismas. I like working with both as I use the Polychromos first and then use the Prismacolors over them to make the color smoother and lighter. Too much info?!!! haha (((I am a colored pencil connoisseur and really want the Pablo's and Luminance ones next because I can never have enough!)))
• I watercolor larger areas of the cards and then I add shading and depth with colored pencils - so most areas of the cards have both on them.
• I use Tonic Nuvo Drops over many of my colored areas - you can put just a thin coat over anything. I think you can see many of them on my close up shots. I prefer the glitter ones and my next favorite are the jewel ones as they are transparent. They add great texture to the cards. I also like using drops of the Nuvo Drops around my images to decorate them instead of sequins.
• I often add shadows behind my letters so they have more depth. I use a light gray colored pencil or a gray Copic marker such as an N2. Sometimes I use color for the shadows as I did on the egg card. 

Here are some details about the blog hop:

• SSS is giving away a $25 coupon on every stop on the hop from each blog comment section. They will choose the winners over the weekend and post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday, the 13th of March. If you win, you can email SSS to claim your prize :).
• Make sure to add any of your projects to the Fresh Bloom gallery! You can visit it anytime to see all of the creations from this 2 day blog hop in one place!
• Here is a list of the blog participants - next on the blog hop is Lisa Addesa

  Simon Says Stamp Blog 

  Jennifer McGuire

  Kristina Werner

  Cathy Zielske

  Nina-Marie Trapani

  Nichol Spohr

  Jessica Frost-Ballas

  Suzy Plantamura

  Lisa Addesa

  Amy Rysavy

  Lea Lawson

Thank you all so much for visiting today and for all of your nice comments and support! I look so forward to SSS Blog Hops as the comments I get just make all the hard work so worth it! I hope you enjoyed this new set of watercolor cards! I'll have a "one stamp, five ways" post up in a few days using the brand new Pretty Peonies cling stamp. Here is an image of my first colored image using colored pencils:

Here is a supply list for all of the products used in this post! Thanks for visiting!!! Suzy

Comments

[Crystal]

I'm really like these cards. I sit and color in the evenings to unwind from the work day and these look super cute and fun! Thanks for sharing! Another hit from SSS!

[debbie d]

these are so sweet!

[Kandice J]

Your spring cards are so fun and sweet! Lovely job. Thanks for sharing!

[Kirsty Vittetoe]

I like all the spring inspired cards they have a crisp, fresh feel to it, lovely!

[Christa Hamilton]

Love the texture on the bunny and birdy! Love all of your cards and that background is beautiful!!

[Meghan Kennihan]

OMG! Your coloring is awesome... I have to try colored pencils!

[Katherine Herbert]

Love your coloring! :)

[Stanlee R]

So many great cards, thanks for the inspiration.

[Sandy Stein]

All your cards are so cheery and brightly colored. Love them.

[Kathy J in Ellicott City]

Love the cards!

[Trina P.]

You’ve spoiled us! Another incredible collection and all beautifully colored.

[Joela Pascoe]

I love your designs, they are so fun and make card making so much easier. Thank you.

[Kathy P]

Love love LOVE your watercolor cards! You are definitely a PRO! Love all the different media you used to make them beautiful! (Altho' I think they are beautiful all on their own)! And that floral card is just gorgeous!

[Dana M]

WOW! Such fantastic watercolor card designs! As always incredible coloring and amazing cards.

[Michele K. Henderson]

Wow! What a GRAND collection of cards! Each one is so beautiful and bright and they all look so pretty!
Take care!
Michele
crimsonowl@comcast.net

[chark]

cuteness galore, love the chickies especially!

[Tina]

Love your coloring of these amazing designs.

[Sharon Gullikson]

I like how you made the lines for fur!!

[Brian Poteraj]

They are all so cute. I especially like the rabbit

[Tami R]

Adorable images and cards! You are a pro already!!

[Sharla]

Love all these cards, but the chubby little chick holding the egg is my favorite!

[Leslee Dixon]

Perfect cards for spring or Easter. Thank you!

[RobiW]

Wow! So spring!!

[Paula Desmarais]

Love your coloring and your cards are beautiful!!!

[Cheriese]

super sweet prints - love your colouring in!!