I’m taking an online class – the second workshop in the Strathmore Visual Journal Online Workshop Series. You can still sign up and it’s free. Check it out HERE.
In our second lesson of Workshop 2 we played with watercolors. One of the major things I learned was how to make my watercolors into sprays. All you do is mix them in water in a spray bottle. Wow! I bought these cute spray bottles at Target, but you can also find them at Walmart or any craft store for a buck.
The more water, the lighter the color will turn out. I like mine since they are pretty muted – great background pages to use in an art journal or to make into cards.
Here is my first page. I used doilies, some sequin waste and a couple pieces of lace as masks.
Then I found a cool sink mat with flowers and made this page.
To give the page more depth, I kept over printing with the mat and then gave it a final over spray at the end.
So much fun and really easy ways to make backgrounds. I’ve never really used watercolors much except as a child. They really give a different look to pages.
I can’t wait to try using this flower sink mat on fabric.
If you have time, come on over to Strathmore and play with us.
How do you keep the paper from getting all wrinkled while drying?
Aubrey, First of all I’m using paper from a mixed media journal by Canson which is suitable for acrylic, watercolor or pen and pencil. I would think watercolor paper would be even better but this works fine and what I had at the moment. Also, don’t saturate the paper. I blotted it with a paper towel if I got too much on it. Thanks for commenting.
Wow. I’ve never heard of these online classes but they sound astonishing. I always buy their product line when I’m pretending to be artistic…and this would be just the thing I need to enforce the delusion I bring out of the closet every now and again.
What a great technique…almost like airbrushing without all the equipment.
Jenny, The classes are fun and free. Come join us.
This technique is so neat. I love spraying!!
Thanks for dropping by.
Love this idea! Watercolors are my latest obsession and I’m excited to find a new technique for using them. I’ll check out the online class. Thanks for sharing!
Great start Lynda, I can’t wait to see your finished pages. I have actually not even dived (dove?–you’re the writer!) into this class…too busy at the present. I did, however, play this week with my new watercolor pencils and water and made some colored background pages…now I’m adding ink….I LOVE the watercolor pencils…lots of pigment. I may post some photos on my blog next week of where I am on those. Right now…Just playing!
P.S. you wouldn’t believe how many people are either bringing the article to me or mailing it! Everyone thinks it is a great article. Oh yeh, one lady POSTED it up at Curves on the bulletin board!
I’ve got watercolor pencils I’ve not used yet. Let’s see those pics.
Glad everyone liked the article. My church always post my articles so you up there too for two weeks!!
Kim, Yes, please join us! I really do love the softness of watercolors.
Thanks. I’m going to try it out!
…those sprays are a great idea; look forward to checking out your other creative posts Lynda. Try some ‘tangling’ over your backgrounds…