WATERCOLOR WEDNESDAY, Chickadee CAS Christmas Card...

Today I thought I would share a little watercolor free tutorial for Watercolor Wednesday!  I didn't use all the techniques for this card as it was one I quickly colored at my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack, but I did use some of the tips.  The tutorial is at the end of the post.

For this watercolored card, I chose to do a simple, but elegant Christmas card.  I used the "Open Space" Creative Embossing technique on just a white card base with no sentiment to keep it very CAS.  This was also my first try with the gorgeous Beautiful Season stamp set.  I really miss A Cardinal Christmas, but this little beauty fills the void nicely.  Enjoy!

WATERCOLOR CHICKADEE CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Beautiful Season (W#122680 $21.95, C#122682 $16.95)
• Card Stock – Whisper White
• Ink – Stazon Black, So Saffron, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray Classic
• Ribbon – Cherry Cobbler 3/8"  Quilted Satin Ribbon (#124105, $7.95)
• Accessories – Illuminate Top Coat Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink (#121084, $5.50), Crystal Effects
• Tools – Big Shot, Snow Burst Embossing Folder (#124096, $7.95), Aquapainter

Watercoloring 101
When watercoloring with aquapainters, be sure to to use less ink (and more water) in some areas and more layers of ink in others.  This will result in light and dark shading all while using the same color of ink.  For example, all of the leaves are colored with Old Olive.  But, by using less ink in some areas or on some leaves, it looks like you used different colors reflecting light and shadow.  

Light and shadow are important in watercoloring because darkness tells the eye there is depth.  Light tells the eye that something is raised.  You need to know where the light hits and the shadows fall on an image.  The key is to determine a light source and to use it effectively.  To do so, just imagine a light coming from the top left or right corner of the image (choice depends on the image).  Light will hit that same corner of the image and any raised areas.  Shadows will fall to the bottom opposite corner and any low areas.  Use bright highlights for the highest points to create raised areas and dark colors (or more layers) for shadow to create depth.  Blend the areas between the light and the dark.

Don't be afraid to leave some areas white as highlights of the highest points.  Some people are intimidated by this and feel the need to have every bit colored.  That's okay, with more and more practice, you will come to it in time.  Try using Crystal Effects after your watercoloring has dried to simulate the sheen of glassy eyes, water, etc. You can also use Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink to give a glistening effect on berries, etc.