Watercolor Weekend Roundup - Seasons Change

Happy Watercolor Weekend, Ai Fans! We are so happy to share three wonderful projects from our WC Design Team today to kick off November in a big way! Let's take a look at what Tricia, Karen, and Dot have created today!

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Hello Friends,

Can you believe it's already November? I can't. I'm working away on Christmas cards. I made this one with yet again, my favorite new stamp set from Art Impressions - 5197 - WC Winter Kids Set. I stamped the lamp post and little girl and fussy cut them out after I watercolored them. I painted the light post in N15 and 026 which is the prettiest shade of yellow! I used the stamp positioner to add the bird from the 5056 - WC Fairy Doors Set because the bird was the smallest one I could find. I colored the bird in with blue 528 and brown 969. I stamped the little girl in with brown (stamped off first) and then watercolored her in with 565, 969, 026, 177, NO 77 pastel peach and NO 67 bubble gum pink. I used the fine tip of the brown Tombow TwinTone pen to draw in some details, her eyelash and her hair. I added a pompom to her hat with a glue dot. I cut out a white piece of Bristol Smooth Paper using a 5063 - Rectangle A2 Double Stitched die and then I used distress inks and round sponge daubers to make the light circle and the sky background. I stamped the trees on the sides from the 4960 - WC Fir Trees Set using the brown 969 and two greens, the 249 and then the 177. I added very little water (mostly to the trunk area) so the branches would stay more detailed. I cut out the snow bank with a die and adhered it with foam tape. Then I used foam tape to adhere the lamp post and the little girl. I used 565 to add the shadows under them. I cut out that frame by using the two largest rectangle dies taped together. The last thing I did was add the snow drops using a stylus and white Gouache paint. It takes a bit of time to dry.

Karen Day - Blog - Facebook - Pinterest

I wanted to make a masculine card, so I placed the barn from #4807 Old Barn Mini Set and the tractor from #5059 WC Harvest Set together on a large acrylic block. I coloured them both with my #969 Chocolate Dual Brush marker from Tombow, stamped it off on scrap paper, and then onto my cardstock. (I had pre cut my Canson XL Watercolor Paper with one of the #5063 Double Stitched Rectangle dies already!). I used my damp #4 paintbrush to soften the lines and pull out the colour. With a pencil, I sketched in my mountains and the hillside, and after masking the barn, I coloured the tree image from #4807 Old Barn Mini Set in #969 and stamped it twice behind the barn. I scribbled #837 Wine Red onto my palette, and picked it up with my brush, adding streaky colour to the barn, leaving lots of white areas for a weathered look. I went over it a second time on the shaded sides of the barn to darken them. I went in directly with the fine point of my #992 Sand marker to draw in the individual barn boards. #992 was also used to paint in the path to the barn. I used #N57 Warm Grey to add darker colour to the tires and seat of the tractor, and to darken up a few of the fittings on it. Then I mixed the grey with #346 Sea Green to create a teal-y shade to paint on the tractor. With my stamp positioner, I added the fence from the Old Barn set to the side of my scene, colouring it in #969 and stamping off on scrap paper first. I made a pale wash with #158 Dark Olive and painted the grassy hillsides, then with the small grass from #4051 Foliage Set and the tiny green from #4867 WC Foliage Set 2 New, I stamped in grass and some greenery around the barn. I switched to #076 Green Ochre to add in fall shrubs around the barn also. Picking up #565 Deep Blue from my palette, I used it to paint in the mountains, and to add shadows to the windows and doors of the barn, going in several times to add darker layers. I used it to add shadow lines on the fence posts, under the roof and on the undersides of the tractor. And finally, I added a few longer grasses by directly using the fine end of my #992 marker on the paper.

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

Welcome Back watercolor fans!  Can you believe it is already November?  I can’t.  I decided to create a simple Fall Bridge with some foliage to show off the colors of Autumn.  This is such a versatile card.  You can add any sentiment to it and it would work fabulously.  I love cards like that.  So thank you for stopping by and I hope you get lots of inspiration.

Project Details
I inked the large bridge from the Bridges Set with 969.  I stamped it off and then stamped it in the center of my watercolor paper.  I created a mask for the bridge.  I inked the tree from the Church set with 969 and stamped it behind to the right side of the bridge.  I removed the mask and, using my #1 paintbrush, pulled the color out of the lines. 

Next, I inked the small vine from the Bible Journaling Foliage set with 177 and stamped it several times around the center of the tree.  I added water to the leaves and let them dry. I cleaned the stamp (because I used green) and inked it up with 856 and stamped it several times along the outside of the green leaves.  I added water to the leaves.  Using my Chocolate Twin Tone marker to extend the trunks through the openings in the bridge.  I also darkened up the shadows on the bridge.

I inked the small grass from the Bible Journaling Foliage set with 177 and added it to the right of the bridge and in front of it.  I used my #4 paintbrush and pulled the color out of the lines.  Next, I added 925 to the medium dots from the Bible Journaling Flower set and added them to the tops of the grass.  I added a small amount of water to them.

I masked off my bridge and inked up the small bush from the Bible Journaling Foliage set with 177.  I stamped it several times on the left of the bridge.  I added water to soften them.  I inked up the small dots from the Bible Journaling Flower set with 025 and stamped them several times in the bush.  I added water to soften them.

I added some 569 to the water under the bridge.  Once it dried I added some additional 565 to brighten it up.  I added some 969 from my palette and pulled it out to the left and right of the bridge. I continue to add darker shadows mixing in some of the 969 with my 569.  I added 177 and 856 to create a reflection in the water (still working on this…practice, practice, practice!).

Finally, I added 565 to my palette and using water created the clouds.  Last but not least, I signed my work.

This was so much fun and I hope you got inspired!  Let’s see your work.  Tag us on Instagram!  Hope you have a creative weekend!  See you next time.




Thanks, team! Such a lovely collection of projects!

Did we inspire you this Watercolor Weekend? Let us know in the comments below! And remember, we love seeing your projects when you share them on Instagram with #AiStamps and #AiWatercolor! 'Til next time!

Happy Stamping!

Watercolor Weekend Roundup - Clever Cards!

Welcome back to an inspiration-filled Saturday post! This week our designer's really knocked it out of the park with creative card designs! From Dot's scene featuring a foreground and background, to Tricia K's creative use of the "Bench Set" and Tricia O's "Postage Stamp" design, there is something to spark creativity for everyone here! 

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Hello Watercolor Friends,

This is my project for the Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend roundup. I thought these little .99 cent cardboard boxes from Hobby Lobby would make cute keepsake boxes for my granddaughters. I painted this one white and then attached the watercolored scene to the top using extra strong double sided tape. I used five stamp sets and four markers to create it. See my list of supplies below:

Art Impressions Products: 5011 - WC Truck Mini Set, 5012 - WC Wishing Well Set, 5009 - WC Mini Flower Set, 4051 - WC Foliage Set 1, 5016 - WC Mini Critter Set, 4774 - Stamp positioner, 4773 - Acrylic Blocks, #4 Brush

Marvy LePlume II Markers: 45 sepia, 72 pine green, 86 African violet, 20 magenta

Other Supplies: Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock

Tricia Kennedy - Instagram

“Spring is in the Air” for my Watercolor Weekend project!

Start by masking off a 3”x 3” square on your watercolor paper using 3M Painters Tape, masking paper, washi tape or Post It Notes (I used 3M Painters Tape). Stamp the tree branches at the top with stamps from the Branches Set in 45 Sepia. Next build the trees by stamping leaves from the Foliage Set 2 in 15 Olive Green. Pull the color from the lines with your watercolor brush and water. Next stamp the top half of the bench from Bench Set in 45 Sepia. Scribble 45 Sepia onto your palette and brush onto the bench. Use the fine tip of 45 Sepia to create wood knots, woodgrain and added dimension in the cracks and crevices. Stamp the flowers from Flower Set 3 around the bench in 20 Magenta and 15 Olive Green. Add additional foliage into the flowers with leaves from Foliage Set 2 in 15 Olive Green. Place the little bird from Bird Bath Set on the top of the bench by using your Stamp Positioner. Pull the color from the lines on the tiny bird with your watercolor brush. I found it easier to use watercolor brush no. 1. Use your fine tip 45 Sepia to darken the eyes and beak. Scribble a little 88 Terra Cotta on your palette and brush onto the bird’s chest. Place 60 Salvia Blue (or any other pale blue) onto your palette, water it down and paint it into the sky. Add dot detail with your fine tip 20 Magenta around the flowers. And finally, remove the tape and sign your masterpiece!

Art Impressions Products: WC Flower Set 3,WC Foliage Set 2, WC Branches Set, WC Bench Set, WC Bird Bath Set, Acrylic 3” Block, Acrylic Block 5 Pack, Watercolor Palette, Stamp Positioner, Watercolor Brush No. 4, Watercolor Brush No. 1, Canson XL WC Paper Pad

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 15 Olive Green, 20 Magenta, 45 Sepia, 60 Salvia Blue, 88 Terra Cotta

Other Supplies: 3M Blue Painters Tape

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

Sometimes it is hard to come up with unique ideas for paintings. For this weekend’s Watercolor Weekend I created this card using small rectangle dies as guides for this card design. I wanted to try to create the look of postage stamps with flowers on them. I added words to the left hand side of each rectangle. I used various foliage and flower stamps to create a different look in each of the rectangles. Check out my Blog and YouTube channel for all the details. 

Art Impressions Products: 4867 WC Foliage Set 2, 5007 WC Foliage Set 3, 4052 WC Flower Set 1, 5008 WC Flower Set 3, 5009 WC Mini Flower Set, Acrylic Block 5 Pack (Variety), Canson XL WC Paper Pad, Watercolor Palette, WCBRUSH6 – WC Brush NO. 6

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 72 Pine Green, 43 Brilliant Yellow, 15 Olive Green, 29 Prussian Blue, 40 Brownish Grey, 55 Iris Purple, 36 Manganese Blue, 8 Violet

Other Supplies: Wink of Stella Glitter Clear Brush Pen – Clear, Gina K Designs Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- Dandelion, Classic Crest Cover Solar White 8-1/2x11 110lb, Scor-Pal Scor-Buddy Mini Scoring Board, 9 by 7.5-Inch

Such lovely projects, thank you, designers! We LOVE how easy it is to mix and match stamps from different sets, to create larger scenes or to use in an unexpected way! We hope you'll share some of YOUR watercolor creations with us on Instagram using the #AiStamps! Be sure you are following our designer's across your different social media accounts to see inspiration every week!

Happy Stamping!

Watercolor Throwback - Old Barn Set

Hello Ai Fans!

Everyone once in a while we like to throwback to one of our most popular videos, and as spring sneaks up on us, we wanted to share our Old Barn! We're going back to August 2016 to this "top five" video, since we launched Watercolor Wednesdays in November of 2015!

In this video, Bonnie demonstrates how to create a beautiful, rustic scene with our Old Barn set. This set comes with a beautiful large tree and a natural roving fence. Bonnie uses beautiful greens, browns and blues from our Marvy Marker collection to bring this out the beauty in this outdoor image. 

We hope you enjoy this throwback video! Leave a comment on the video if this is the first time you've seen it! Make sure to hop over to subscribe and give this video a thumbs up!

Take care and have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lSmMlpKKIRo

Old Barn Set #4807	WC Foliage Set	WC Flower Set	Blooming Birdhouse #4603	Strathmore Watercolor Paper	Watercolor Brush #4
Ai Watercolor Palette	Ai Stamp Positioner	1" Square Acrylic Block	1.5" Square Acrylic Block	3" Square Acrylic Block	Acrylic Block Variety 5 Pack
#15 Olive Green	#25 Bottle Green	#45 Sepia	#50 Ultramarine	#72 Pine Green	#86 African Violet

InLinkz.com

Watercolor Weekend Roundup - Winter Wonderland

Happy December, Ai Fans! We are welcoming the first weekend of the month with another roundup of our favorite watercolor projects from our Watercolor Guest Design team! Let's get into the swing of winter with these snowy projects. Check them out!

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Hello Watercolor Friends,

I've made a Christmas card for this Watercolor Weekend using a cabin from the new 4962 - WC Rustic Cabins Set. I also used the tree from the WC Tree Set - 4269 and the fence from the 4807 - Old Barn Set. I used some Zig Wink of Stella to add glitter to the snow. I used Glossy Accents on the lights and Nuvo Crystal Drops on the trees to add sparkle. I used a Uni-ball Signo pen to add the snow to the sky.

Art Impressions Products: 4962 WC Rustic Cabins, 4269 WC Tree Set, 4807 Old Barn Set, Canson XL WC Paper Pad, 4773 Acrylic Block Variety Pack, NO. 4 Brush, Signo White Pigment Ink Gel Pen

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 17 Steel Blue, 20 Magenta, 45 Sepia, 72 Pine Green, 86 African Violet, 105 Lt Teal

Tricia Kennedy - Instagram

My “Merry Christmas Ornament” for today’s Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend is a perfect gift to make this holiday season.

To begin, either hand write, stamp or print Merry Christmas 2017 on your watercolor paper. I opted to print it. Cut out a 3” circle with Merry Christmas 2017 to the right, leaving room to stamp to the left. Stamp about ¾ of the tree trunk from the WC Fir Trees Set in 45 Sepia. Build the tree using the two straight fir boughs from the WC Fir Trees Set in 72 Pine Green. Stamp the large bough straight up on the top of the tree trunk then the small bough four times below on each side of the tree trunk and then the large bough at the very bottom on both sides of the tree trunk. Pull the color with your watercolor brush and water. Place about a tablespoon snow flakes and about a ½ teaspoon jumbo glitter in the ornament. Run a thin line of strong liquid glue on the edge of the ornament. Attach the watercolored piece to the ornament. Run another thin line of liquid glue where the ornament and paper meet. Let dry. Tie a piece of the Christmas plaid ribbon into a bow and glue on the top and let dry. Finally attach a piece of jute into the ornament and tie for the hanger. Shake the ornament to get the glitter and snow to move around.

Art Impressions Products: WC Fir Trees Set, Acrylic Block 5 Pack, 3” Acrylic Block, Watercolor Brush No. 6,Canson XL WC Paper Pad

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 72 Pine Green, 45 Sepia

Other: Art Minds 3” Plastic Craft Ornament (comes in two pieces, each ornament requires only one piece), Celebrate It 3/8” Christmas Plaid Ribbon, Jute, Buffalo Frosty Snow Flakes, Tree House Jumbo Disco Glitter, Edwardian Script Font and strong liquid glue.

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

I started out stamping the puppy (which I used a stamp positioner to get him straight) with Sepia. I pulled the color out of the lines. I added some color to my palette and filled him in. I darkened in his ears, eyes and nose with the fine tip of the marker. I decided to draw in a color and cuffs to make him look like he was wearing a sweater. I added some white gel pen dots to jazz it up. I created a mask and used it to protect him.

Using my stamp positioner, I stamped the bench over the masked puppy. I didn't ink up the area where the snow is on the bench. I pulled the color out of the lines and added some squiggly lines with my Sepia and darkened some areas. I drew in a wavy line for the lights and added some English Red, African Violet, Brilliant Yellow and Pine Green circles to make them look like lights.

I inked up the tree trunk with Sepia and the small top of the Fir tree and stamped it to the right of the bench. I added the light to the left leaving off where the wreath would be. I added Brilliant Yellow to the lamp and on a few areas on the snow. I added some masking fluid where the wreath would be to be able to add some ornaments. I then used the positioner to stamp the wreath in Pine Green. I added African Violet and English Red ornaments to the wreath.

Using the fine tip of my African Violet I drew in some the snow and pulled the color above the line to leave the snow white but it creates a shadow. I used African Violet to create the sky.

I cut the picture out with the stitched rectangle die and mounted it on a piece of Gina K Designs Cranberry Tart cardstock. I added the Season's Greetings sentiment which is also from Gina K.

Art Impressions Products: 4034 WC Series 8 Set 1, 4959 WC Dogs Set, 4965 WC Bench Set, 

4702 Wooden Door, 4960 WC Fir Trees Set, Acrylic Block 5 Pack (Variety), Canson XL WC Paper Pad, 4774 Stamp Positioner, Watercolor Palette

Marvy Le Plume II Markers: 86 African Violet, 45 Sepia, 43 Brilliant Yellow, 28 English Red, 72 Pine Green

Other Supplies: Simon Says Stamp SHAPES WITH STITCHES SetSS160 In Stitches, Fabulous Holiday Labels Stamp Set- CLEAR, Silver Brush 3000S-4 Black Velvet, Gina K Designs Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- Cranberry Tart

Such beautiful winter cards from three talented artists! Do you like what you see? Be sure to comment below! When you have a craving for more sweet inspiration like this, look up our designer's personal blogs for even more projects! Plus, you can find them on Instagram or other social media and follow them there, too:

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Tricia Kennedy - Instagram

Tricia O'Bin - Blog - Instagram - YouTube - Pinterest - Facebook

We hope these wintery projects have inspired your creations this weekend! Happy Stamping!

NEW VIDEO - Halloween Scene Watercolor

Hello Ai Fans!

Welcome to a spooky and sweet Halloween treat for Watercolor Wednesday! This week, Bonnie created a creepy cottage adorned with dry branch trees, cheerful jack-o-lanterns, and a barbed fence with spider webs. She starts by stamping the WC Cottage in the center and pulling the color from the lines and adding African Violet and Sepia from the palette for the darkened windows and doorways, plus a little ghost peeking out the top opening. From there she creates a dark sky around the cottage and stamps the WC Branches for the sparse trees. Next, she uses the Stamp Positioner to place the pumpkins from our WC Series 3 Set 1. She colors them with Terra Cotta from the palette and draws in their expressions. She also uses the positioner to place parts of the fence from our Old Barn Mini Set on either side of the pumpkins. For the final touches, Bonnie adds tiny grass around the base of the images and draws in cobwebs for the perfect Halloween effect.

We hope you enjoy this Halloween themed video! If you liked it, please give us a "thumbs up" over on YouTube and don't forget to subscribe and click the "bell" to be notified of new uploads!

Happy Watercolor Wednesday!

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4upQMPEcGgk