Water of Life and Hiker Foundation by Karen Day

 Hello Ai Watercolour fans!

My first card is using one of the newly released Scenic Foundation sets that have more of a masculine feel to them.  This is the 6068 - Hiker Foundation set.

Using my Misti, I stamped the image onto my Canson XL watercolour paper using Tombows #969/565.  *With a larger image like this, it helps to use a stamping platform, as you can reink and stamp it a second time if your first impression isn't perfect.  Before stamping the foliage, I painted light shades of #565 on the mountains, getting a little darker for the hills in the foreground.  I was aiming for some striking contrast, so used #346 to paint in the two closest bits of land.  I wanted a bit of a sunset sky, so I started by mixing #991 and #856 to give me tones of yellow and peach.  I echoed the same colours in the water, reflecting both the mountains and the sunset.  I added streaks of darker tones to the water to make it look like ripples on the lake.

The grass in the foreground was painted with a wash of #177, and layers of #992 were painted on the pathway.  The two main trees were painted with streaks of #992/969/947, as were the edges of the pathway under the grass overhang.  After pulling out the colour of the rocks with my damp brush, I added more shades of N52/565/992 to the stones, creating contrast between the rocks.  I used the foliage stamp from 5373 - WC LG Tree Set and #177/249 to stamp the foliage on each of the trees, turning the stamp so that it would appear irregular.  I touched the foliage with a damp brush to soften it, and added in a few darker tones for shadows.  I used the tiny sprig from 5009 - WC Mini Flower Set and #177/346 to add a few low shrubs in and around the trees and rocks, then added a few branches from 4964 - WC Branches Set in #969.  A little grass was added in #177 using the small grass from Foliage Set - 4051.

I painted the hiker in coordinating colours #565/992/177/969, other than his bright hat in #856.  I hadn't painted in the sun before I added the foliage (should have!), so I just dabbed some white at the edge of the mountain, and then painted some white streaks into the water to indicate the sun.  White paint was also used to add in some flowers on the shrubs.  As a final touch, I used my paint brush and #346 to add a line of pine trees to one of the hillsides.  The image was die cut with the 5063 - A2 Rectangle Double Stitched Dies, matted with a warm brown, and adhered to my base with 3D foam adhesive.

My second card is using two of the new sets from the Bible Journaling line.

I die cut my Canson XL watercolour paper with the 5063 - A2 Rectangle Double Stitched Dies, and stamped the sleeping lamb from 6025 - Fear Not Set using #969/565.  After masking him, the stone well from 6055 - Water of Life Set was stamped behind him.  I pulled out the colour from the lines on the well, concentrating the colour where shadows would be - then added more N52/565 to darken the stones.  On the lamb, I added #850 to his ears and nose, and painted it as a wash over his fleece, to add a little warmth.  N52/565 were used for shadows, and to add some dabbled texture to indicate the fleece.

#126 was painted as a wash for the grass, and #493 done as a wash in the sky.  The two long grass stamps from 6025 were stamped around the well in #177, and two of the floral images were stamped in #177/856, on either side.  The small grass from Foliage Set - 4051 added a little texture in #177 around the bottom.  I used a light version of #565 to paint the bird, and touch some pale orange to his beak.  I used my black Twintone marker to darken the eye of the bird, and those of the lamb.  My grey Twintone marker was really helpful in redefining the lines of the well that had blurred a bit after painting, and for darkening the bird's legs.  Since I don't have a lot of luck in spattering paint on my images, I used the grey Twintone to add little dots around my image to suggest a little texture in my painting.

The sentiment is from the retired Exclusive Daisy set from several years ago.  I added a grey mat to my painting, and adhered it with 3D foam adhesive to my base which is paper from the 6011 - Basic Teal PP.

Lighthouse and SF Cottage Creek - by Karen Day

 Hello Ai Watercolour fans!

Every once in a while I love to just create a lighthouse card!  So I pulled out the 5466 - WC Lighthouse Set, and created a bit of a 'rainbow' lighthouse.

I stamped my lighthouse and one of the shorelines from the 5523 - WC Bait Shop set in the new Shadow Grey Archival ink from Ranger, since I knew I was going with 'pretty' colours, and didn't want any muddy outlines.  I stamped the two trees from 5372 - WC Mini Foliage in #969 on either side of the lighthouse, and using the foliage stamp from the set, I stamped in #177/126 to create the leaves.  To create my rainbow lighthouse, I started by painting the roof in #847, then used #685 on the railing, and as a wash on the main structure.  I moved into #606 and finally #407.  Into the stones at the base, I painted touches of #407 and then #126 near the bottom - so the colours fade from top to bottom in rainbow order.  A wash of #126 was added to the grass, and darkened in the crevices with #177.  I used the shrubbery row from the 5372 set to add bushes to either side of the lighthouse, then painted out those and the trees with a damp brush.  The roof of the small building was done with #847, and the base of it in #555.  Layers of #992/947 were painted on the edge of the bank, concentrating the colour in the crevices, and tones of #N55 were used on the rocks.

I loaded up my brush with #407 and painted a line to indicate the horizon, then washed out the colour in a streaky fashion along the shoreline.  I darkened the water nearer to the shore, using #555.  I wanted to create a bit of a fantasy sky, so painted some #407 in a way that suggested clouds (the white space left below), then added #991 to the sky, and a very pale version of #685.  Both of these colours were painted as reflections in the water as well.  I like to add some darker areas to clouds for just a touch of drama, so used a wash of #606 just above the horizon.  I used my grey Twintone marker to add in any details that were painted out, or simply areas that needed emphasis.  

My scene was cut out with the 5061 Square Double Stitched Dies, matted it on a pinkish/red square of cardstock, and attached a little off-center onto my patterned paper.  The finished card is 5 1/2" square.

Card #2 is featuring the 5748 - SF Cottage Creek Scenic Foundation from Summer 2023.  I had stamped this ages ago, and finally got it painted and made into a card.

I wanted to stick mainly with primary colours, so painted the house in #991, with the door and chimney in #847, and the roof in shades of #969 warmed with a touch of #947.  The same browns were used on the tree, and the stump from 5413 - WC Weathered Stumps that I added to the foreground using my stamp positioner.  #177/126 were painted as a wash on all the hillsides and grass, as well as with the foliage stamp from 5372 - WC Mini Foliage for the leaves, and the tiny grass stamp. The two pine trees from the set were used for the treeline in the background and the shrubs on either side of the door - in #177.  Using the gray Twintone marker, I drew in the stones on the walkway, and painted around them with #991.  The stones and rocks in the water were painted with touches of N55, 565 and 991.

Painting my way forward, I added #526 as the lighter blue in the water, keeping my strokes horizontal, and then I darkened the edges with #565.  565 and 847 were used to paint the birds, and N55 added some colour and shadows to the birdbath.  Masking the stump, I added the stem from 5009 - WC Mini Flower Set in 177/565 and the sprig from 5828 - WC Poinsettia Set in #407.  With the tiny sprig from 5009 set, I added green foliage to the base of the flowers, and around the house - and topped them with tiny white flowers painted with the Bleed Proof White paint.

Floral Butterfly and SF Picket Fence by Karen Day

 Hello Ai Watercolour fans!

I've gone all floral this week, with a butterfly concept that I've had in my head for awhile, and have finally put it on paper:

I wanted to create a butterfly totally out of Ai flowers/leaves.  I was very inspired by the new 5936 - My Hope Set and 5937 - My Trust sets from the Bible Journaling line, so I pulled them out and set to work.  I first practised on scrap paper, drawing a pencil outline of a butterfly, in order to plan out which stamps would fit inside the shape.  I also picked my colour palette, as planning out what colour each of the flowers would be was an important part.  

*One key thing to keep in mind, is that you are trying to create mirror images - in that the left and right sides of the butterfly should mirror each other.  So unless you have stamps that mirror each other, you have to choose images that will work on both sides.  If you look closely at my project, you'll see that the sides are not mirroring each other, but I made choices that were as close as possible.  I also stopped what I was doing frequently, to look at my work, making sure that I was keeping it balanced on each side.

I'm not going to go into great detail about my project, as I realize that it's pretty involved, and not for everyone.  But the process itself is an easy concept.  As per my practise piece above, you can see that I sketched out a butterfly shape, then chose the larger blooms that fit.  Then I just used the Daisy Bunch from Flower Set - 4052 in orange, and the tiny leafy sprig from 5009 - WC Mini flower Set in lime green to fill in around them all.

I created a wash of #249/565 to dab onto the background, and then I made the body using the rose trio from 5258 - Flower Set 4, and the foxglove from Flower Set - 4052 all in #565.  I knew it was meant to be when I spotted the two flower stamps from the My Hope set that were perfect for the antennae.  The colour palette that I used is: 403/565/126/346/933/993, and the finished card size is 6 1/2" x 5".

My second project is using one of the pretty Scenic Foundations stamps.  This is 5744 - SF Picket Fence:

I stamped my image onto Canson XL Watercolour Paper using Tombows 969/565, then began painting in my scene as follows:  #476 on the house and birdhouse, using a darker shade of it on the shadowed walls, and lighter where the sun hits.  #977 was painted onto the roof, and as shades on the tree.  #177 was washed as the grassy hillsides and stamped with the line of shrubbery stamp from 5372 - W Mini Foliage.  The foliage stamp from the set was used with both #177 and #126 to add a leafy canopy to the tree.

With the main sections painted, I added in the flowers and greenery using the Salvia stamp from Flower Set - 4052 in #565, the daisy bunch in #933 & #946 and the small vines from 5126 - WC Foliage Set 4 in #177 added all the greenery including the vine on the trellis.  I touched everything with a damp brush, and then added a few dots of Bleed Proof White Paint for some softer flowers.  The windows and shadows were painted in using #565, paying special attention to the picket fence, and adding some shadows to the flowers.  I die cut my image, mounted it on some tan cardstock and attached it to my card with 3D foam adhesive.  The background paper is from 5892 - Easter S2 Paper Pack.

Watercolor Weekend 5-20-2023

 Hello Ai Watercolor fans!

It's a Watercolor Weekend here on the Art Impressions blog
and this weekend we're showcasing some of the new Scenic Foundation sets that
were recently released.

There are 6 new sets in all and all are so beautiful!

There is a sale bundle available or the sets can be purchased separately.

Our three fabulous Watercolor Design Team members all used a different set this week so you have lots of inspiration to choose from!

We're starting off with Tricia's peaceful scene this week.

She used 5745 – SF Stone Bridge
  

Hey watercolor fans, we are showcasing the new Watercolor foundation stamps. I chose the Stone Bridge stamp. 

I started out by inking it with 969 and 569, stamped it off and stamped it onto my watercolor paper.  I used the small leaves from the mini foliage set with 177 and stamped it around the tree. 

Next, I masked off the bridge and stamped it again in front of the house as a bush.  I moved the mask to the house, and stamped it again on the left side of the house. I used the small flower bunch inked with 815 and 177.  I stamped it on each side of the bridge and under the tree.

Lastly, I inked the small grass and stamped it next to the tree.  Once all the stamping was done, I used my brush and water to pull the color out of the lines.  I added additional color from my palette.

I added green to the grass and blue to the water.  I built up the darker color under the bridge. I added some shadows under the bench and darker color directly from my marker to create some additional shadows in the trees and bushes.

I hope you share your creations with us.  Have a crafty day!

Next up, we have Karen.

She created a wonderful masculine scene using 5747 – SF Wooden Cabin.

             

Hello Ai Watercolour fans!

I am really enjoying painting the new Scenic Foundations stamps!  They are quick and easy to paint, as the layout and perspective are figured out for you.  You don't need to see which size of house works, or how to balance your scene - you can just pick your colours and get down to business.  Here is my card with 5747 - SF Wooden Cabin:

I inked up the entire stamp with Tombow #969/565 and stamped onto my Canson XL Watercolour Paper.  After pulling out the colour with a damp brush, I painted my cabin in a mixture that I created myself!  I wanted it to be a worn/faded reddish colour, but don't own a marker that works - so I mixed #856 and 969 on my palette, to create the look that I wanted.  I painted a darker version on the front of the house that is shadowed, and lighter on the side.  I decided on a yellow boat and front door, knowing that the rest of my scene would be mainly green & brown, so painted layers of #993 on both of them.

I started with #126, which is a lighter, yellow/green, painting the grassy areas in the foreground, then added #177 as the grass farther away.  I coloured up the two trees from 5372 - WC Mini Foliage Set in #177, and masked off the hillside so they would appear farther away before I stamped them.  The foliage stamp from the set was used to create the leaves on the tall tree.  #992 was painted on the roof, porch and down the path, as it's a faded brown colour, and #969 was used to darken up the tree, stump, and wharf.  I wanted more rocks down the path, so coloured part of one of the image from 5414 - WC Small Rocks Set.  Shades of #N65 and 992 were painted on the rocks and the chimney in a mottled fashion, adding shading with #565 and layers of all the colours.

The water was painted with #493, and 565 toward the edges, and #565 was used for the sky, and to add shadows to the windows, boat and under the wharf.  Using the twigs from 5196 - WC Desert Set, I stamped a couple of shrubs behind the rocks and stump using #969, and added leaves directly with my marker.  The long grass was also drawn in.  I used my brown Twintone marker to add the lines back into the bark of the tree.

We'll wrap things up with this tropical beach scene from Diane.
She used the new 5749 – SF Beach Cabin.

 

Hello Ai Watercolor fans and welcome to another Watercolor Weekend! Today I am sharing with you a beach scene using the brand new Scenic Foundations Beach Cabin Stamp – 5749. These new foundation stamps are so awesome because the scene is already created for you! 

 

That said, I decided to modify this scene slightly by leaving off the beach cabin and adding in a rocky shoreline to the right. I was going for a relaxing tropical paradise beach vibe, reminiscent of a recent vacation. Nothing is more relaxing to me than sitting on the beach, listening to the waves crash, and watching the world go by!

           

 

I masked off a rectangular frame for my painting with Post-It tape and inked the Beach Cabin scene with 565/969, leaving off the cabin, and stamped off once before adding to my Canson XL watercolor paper. Next I inked just the rocks from 5748 – SF Cottage Creek in 969, and stamped to the right of the scene to extend my rocky shoreline. These clear stamps are great because you can see through the stamps, so no need to use a positioner! 

     

  With my scene complete, I used a damp brush and pulled out the stamped lines of the image to create shadows and contours. For my color palette I chose vibrant tropical colors:  856, 905, 985, 133, 291, 407, 685, as well as 177, 249, and 990 for the foliage and sand. With a pencil, I sketched in a horizon line. I washed in the sky, leaving a small white gap above the waterline with 291 and a little 407. I added a bit of 452 to the corners to brighten and frame the sky. The water was painted much the same way, leaving areas of light and dark to create waves. Next I added sand to the shoreline, chair legs, around the pots and perimeter with 990 and a small amount of 969. For the rocks I used 990, 969 and 565. To frame the corners of the scene, I inked the large fern stamp from 5418 – Bible Foliage Set 2 in 177 and stamped multiple times. Next I added florals to the pots: (blue pot) mini dot cluster from 5009 WC Mini Flower set in 685, (white striped pot) daisy bunch from 4052 – Flower Set 1 in 985, and (coral pot) long stemmed flower from 5475 – WC Floral Set 6 in 856 and 177. For the foliage I inked just the top of the leafy branch from 4867 – WC Foliage Set 2 in 249 for the blue pot. For the white pot, I inked the small rounded palm frond from 5120 – WC Palm Tree Set in 177. For the coral pot I inked the small fern stamp from 5418 in 177. Next I added color to the pots: 905 (coral), 407 (blue) and 905, 133 and 407 stripes (white). For the umbrella, I painted the sections in 905, 856, 407, 133 and 985. The pole was painted with 977. For the straw hat I used 685 for the hatband, and 990 and 977 to shade and contour the hat. I added shadows to the chair with 565. Details were added to the sailboats in 407, 133 and 856. I used Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleed Proof White to add whitecaps to the waves, and splashes on the rocks and shore. I also added white lines to the umbrella and hatband, and dots to the flowers. Under the larger waves, I added a bit more 407 to shadow under the curling waves. The final touch was to add back any missing details with a brown or blue TwinTone marker where needed. I die cut the painting and frame using the 5724 – Nested Rectangle Dies and popped up the frame on the card base using foam squares. I like to decorate the inside of my card too. I stamped, painted, and die cut the purse and flip flops images from 5509 – Beach Accessories. I adhered the images to the bottom right corner of the white mat.

 

I think this would make a lovely Bon Voyage card for a friend or a nice Thank You for Your Hospitality card. Thank you for joining us for Watercolor Weekend, until next time – Happy Painting!