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!

NEW VIDEO! Bridge & Cottage Scene 2 Watercolor

Hello Ai Fans!

Welcome back, Watercolor Wednesday fanatics! We have been enjoying traveling around this summer meeting many of you during at retail shows! Thanks for tuning in and sharing your watercolor projects with us!

This week, Bonnie wanted to create a second Bridge & Cottage Scene (view our first video here) and transforms the bridge by selectively inking and placing in front of our WC Garden Shed image. We love how with a little sketching, you can create depth to your image with color from your palette!

WE WANT TO KNOW - What do you want to see on Watercolor Wednesdays? Click over to this video and leave a comment, and who knows, you might see your request in an upcoming video!

Happy Watercolor Wednesday!

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pBiSKn-685M

NEW VIDEO! Bridge & Cottage Scene Watercolor

Hello Ai Fans!

With only three stamps used in last week's project, it's time to stretch your skills this Watercolor Wednesday! This week, Bonnie creates a square composition using our WC Mini Cottages and WC Bridge Sets. Bonnie simply stamps the two main images, creates rolling hills and water with her WC Palette, and then adds foliage and flowers around the edges and cottage!

Did you try out this beautiful scene? We always want to see what you are creating, so use the hashtag #AiWatercolor on Instagram or post on Facebook Page to share your photos with us!

Have a beautiful Watercolor Wednesday!

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QWzaPVCg4is

Watercolor Weekend Roundup - Homey Inspiration!

Hello, Ai Watercolor Fans! We have three more fabulous projects for you from our Watercolor Guest Design Team! We hope you enjoy these outdoorsy house scenes from Dot and Karen, as well as a colorful floral wreath by Tricia! Let's take a look!

 Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Hello Friends,

I was inspired by my camping/fishing weekend in Utah to make a card for my son's birthday. I stamped the boat from the 5057 - WC Boat Set in both 86 African violet and brown 969 and then I pulled the color out of the lines. Next I stamped the shed from the 5121 - WC Garden Shed Set again first using African violet and then the brown. After pulling the color out of the lines, I used the brown to color in the roof, shingles and door knob area. I used African violet to color the windows, add shade under the roof, on the door, and the water around the boat. I used the brown to watercolor the oars, the bench and the top of the boat. I used the brown to watercolor the ground on the other side of the boat and the walkway from the shed. I stamped the tree trunks from the 4960 - WC Fir Trees Set in brown, then I stamped in the branches using green 249. I added 75 sky blue to the palette to color in the sky. I stamped the grass from the 4051 - WC Foliage Set 1 in with 27 olive brown. I stamped the tall grasses from the 5007 - WC Foliage Set 3 also in the olive brown. I stamped the flowers by the boat from the 4868 - WC Flower Set 2 using green 177 and orange 885 for the flowers. I stamped in the heart flowers by the cabin from the 4868 - WC Flower Set 2 in the same orange color. I cut out the picture and a background piece using the 5063 - Double Stitched Rectangle Dies. I used my Copic pen to sign and date it.

The birthday card below is the first card I made which I will give to my second son Chad and then I made the other version for the Art Impression's Watercolor Weekend blog post. Give it a try!

Karen Day - Blog - Facebook - Pinterest

To create my scene today, I've paired up one of the cottages from 4958 - WC Cottages Set (this is SO typical of historic homes in my area!), with the footbridge from the just released 5122 - WC Bridge Set, inking them both with Tombow #969 Chocolate. Using the smaller tree from 5010 WC Tree Set 1, I stamped it several times on each side of the cottage with my #969, then softened all the lines with a damp #4 paintbrush, pulling out the colour on the tree trunks, and on the footbridge. I coloured my #177 Dark Jade marker onto the tiny foliage sprig in the 5009 WC Mini Flower Set, stamping it repeatedly to get 2nd & 3rd generation foliage in the trees, and creating shrubs around the house. Also from the Mini Flower Set - I used my #533 Peacock Blue to colour the tiny floral cluster (it looks like dots!) stamping it around the shrubs to suggest purpley/blue flowers. Dabbing at them with my damp brush softened the images, and intensified the colours. I initially drew the tufts of grass directly with my #076 Green Ochre marker, but since it is quite a yellow/green, my scene had a bit of a fall feel to it, and I was aiming for spring! So I picked up the #177 green off of my palette, and painted a wash of green grass, darkening up the grasses directly with the marker as well. I painted the pathway with #992 Sand, and added #491 Glacier Blue onto the roof & door. I painted a touch of #856 Chinese Red onto the chimney, then went in with the fine point of it to sketch in the bricks. I picked up #565 Deep Blue with my brush to paint in the stream, and then added the shadows to the windows, pathway, around the house & trees, and finally painted in the sky. With my scene complete, I always walk away for a few hours (days?) and come back with a fresh eye. I did want to darken things up a little, so I went back in with both my 177 and 565 markers, adding grasses and flowers in the deeper tones.

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

Hey there! Welcome to another Art Impressions Watercolor Weekend! Today I am sharing my "Enjoy The Day" spring wreath. 

Step 1: Start off by lightly tracing around a circle die. This can be any size you like based on how big you want your wreath to be. Make sure you leave space around the circle for your leaves and flowers.

Step 2 : I chose a larger branch from the 4964 - WC Branches Set and inked it up with 969-Chocolate. I stamped it along the circle, trying to keep the largest part of the branch on the traced circle. I stamped it a couple of times, then re-inked it. You don't need to add any water to the branches, they are more of an accent stamp.

Step 3: I inked up the leaves from the 4605 - Spring Basket with 177-Dark Jade. You can use either one. I inked it up and stamped it several times on each branch. I added water to each of the leaves. The water may cause the color from the leaves to mix with the brown from the Branches but this is OK, unless you don't like that. I actually think it creates more interest and depth.

Step 4: I inked up the flower from the 4604 - Chest of Flowers with 443-Turquoise and stamped it around the wreath. I added water to each bloom. Next, I inked up the small dots flower from the 5009 - WC Mini Flower Set inked with 725 - Rhodamine Red and stamped them alongside the flowers. I added water to the blooms and then stamped them again using 606 - Violet.

Step 5: Using my MISTI, I inked the Enjoy The Day sentiment with the Rhodamine Red and Violet. I re-inked and double stamped it. I carefully added a small amount of water using a #1 paintbrush. Lastly, I signed and dated it.

Check out my blog for more details on how I put the card together. Check out the other design team members inspiration over on the AI Blog. Tag us on Instagram with #AIWatercolor.

Thanks, team! These projects really are beautiful and perfect for giving to a loved one this spring. We are always searching for inspiration for structure scenes, and your projects with stepping stones, bridges, trees, and water is just so pretty! Also, the floral wreath has some really lovely flower stamps tucked in some of our favorite mini sets!

We'd love to hear what you think about these projects, drop us a comment below! Did these cards give you ideas for your projects this weekend?

Happy Stamping!

NEW VIDEO! Wooden Bridge Watercolor

Hello Ai Fans!

It's our favorite day of the week - Watercolor Wednesday! Bonnie continues through our new 2019 Watercolor releases with this beautiful rustic bridge over a small stream. She features our new WC Bridge Set image and surrounds it with a tree made from our WC Branches Set, vines from our Foliage 4, tiny grasses from our Foliage 1, and dotted buds from our Mini Flowers Set.

We hope you enjoy this week's video! Don't forget to subscribe and click the bell on our YouTube channel for all the latest Ai videos!

Have a wonderful Watercolor Wednesday!

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4UttpO-U-aQ

Five MORE Watercolor Sets Now Available! Challenge 251 Floral Cards Week 2!

Hello, Ai Fans!

Last week we released five NEW Watercolor sets, and we have five MORE to share today! Summer is on the way with our WC Beach Girls and Boys sets! These cute kids are donning swimsuits and sand toys as they play on the seashore! Add a tropical touch to your scenes with our WC Palm Trees Set, complete with trunks and leaves for building your own trees! Our WC Garden Shed Set contains four versatile structures that will look beautiful surrounded by patches of flowers. Additionally, our WC Bridges are perfect for creating small waterscapes, with five different bridges to stamp. Hear what Bonnie has to say about these sets in our video! Grab these sets today at artimpressions.com!

  

Bonnie and the design team is here to share some inspiration! Let's take a look!

Bonnie Krebs - Instagram

Dot Freel - Instagram - Blog - Pinterest

Hello Watercolor Friends,

Ready for MORE brand new Art Impressions stamps, including an awesome set of five bridges in this one 5122 - WC Bridge Set? I would love to cross a pretty bridge like this one. I wanted to surround it with flowers and flowering bushes. I stamped the bridge in the center, after inking it with 565 and then stamping it off once on a piece of scrap paper. I pulled the color out of the lines and added a little bit of the 565 to the palette to darken the underside of the bridge and to create the stream. Then I took the bush stamp from the 4051 - WC Foliage Set 1 to create those big blue bushes in the back. Next I inked up the little vines from the brand new 5126 - WC Foliage Set 4 with 177 and stamped them all around the water and bridge. I'm in love with this new foliage set and it has 3 sets that go both ways, it's definitely a must have! I added water to them, then I added flowers everywhere by inking up just three of the tiny flowers from 4052 - WC Flowers set 1 using the 8 violet. I added water to them. I took white paint and tiny stylus and dotted in the centers of many of the little flowers. Next I took the little grasses from the new 5126 - WC Foliage Set 4 and inked them up with the 72 pine green pen and stamped them around. I used the little grass from 4051 - WC Foliage Set 1 and the 177 pen to ink it and stamped the grass all around and added water. I used green from palette to color in the path. I added 528 to my palette and a lot of water to color in the sky. I used my Copic multi liner 0.03 pen to sign it and drew in the lines under the bridge. I used the 5062 - Double Stitched Rounded Rectangle dies to cut out my picture and a background piece. I used this brand new 5133 - Flag double stitched die set to cut out the sentiment flag and stamped it with the "hello" from the brand new 5136 - WC sentiments set 2.

Tricia Kennedy - Instagram

“Soak up the Sun” with the newest release of Art Impressions Watercolor stamps.

Begin by stamping the little girl in the big hat from the WC Beach Girls Set in 969 Chocolate. Watercolor the Art Impressions way with water and a paint brush. Scribble 850 Flesh, 725 Rhodamine Red and 993 Chrome Orange onto your watercolor palette. Brush in 850 Flesh onto her skin, 725 Rhodamine Red onto her hat and 993 Chrome Orange onto her swimsuit. Mask off the bottom of the little girl with masking paper or a post it note, then stamp the foliage from the WC Foliage Set 4in 177 Dark Jade and the flowers from WC Flower Set 1 in 725 Rhodamine Red. Add dot detail to the swimsuit and center of the flowers using a Signo white pigment gel pen. And, add dot detail around the flowers with the fine tip of 725 Rhodamine Red.

This will be Tricia Kennedy’s last week on the team! Tricia, you were a true joy to have on the WCDT and we have loved all your beautiful projects!

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

Step 1: I inked the large bicycle stamp in 969-Chocolate. I stamped it off to the right and masked it off. I inked up the tree from the fairy door set also in Chocolate and stamped it next to the bike. Using a damp brush, I pulled the color out of the lines on both.

Step 2: I added some additional color to the bike and tree. Using my palette, I added some 528-Navy Blue to the bike. I inked up the small vines from the New Foliage 4 set with 177-Dark Jade and stamped them into the front and back baskets. I added a small amount of water to soften them. I added daisy bunches using 725-Rhodamine Red to the foliage.

Step 3: Using the vine from the original foliage set, inked with 249-Hunter Green, I stamped leaves around the tree top. I added grass around the tree and bike using the small grasses from the same set. I inked one of the new Foliage stamps with 636-Imperial Purple and stamped it to the left of the tree as well as between the tire spokes. (Funny note: as I am typing I realize that I didn’t draw in the spokes of the bike…LOL I will put them in now). I added some teeny tiny flowers along the ground for added interest. I added water to all of the flowers.

Step 4: Make sure to sign and date your watercolor piece. On a separate piece of watercolor paper, I stamped the sentiments Happy Little Moments in Gina K Design amalgam ink using my MISTI. I cut it out with the new Flag Double Stitched die. I also cut a piece of craft foam using the die to pop it up. I added some of the new small vines and some small flowers from the Mini Flower set to the left and right of the sentiment.

Step 5: I used 3 different sizes of the stitched square dies to cut the watercolor piece. I added craft foam to the back of the two smaller squares to give them some dimension. I adhered the largest piece to a piece of Lovely Lavender card stock from Gina K Designs cut to 4 x 5.25. Next, I adhered the craft foam to the middle piece and adhered that to the cardstock. Then I added another piece of craft foam to the smallest piece and attached that to the card. I assembled the sentiment to craft foam and attached it to the bottom of the card.

WOWZA, team! What stunning projects! Have you ever joined an Art Impressions challenge? We LOVE hosting bi-monthly challenges! Not only do we get to see creations from our fans, but we get to giveaway FREE stamps! It may still be wintery in many parts of the country (even at Ai headquarters in Oregon there is a touch of snow falling!), but that doesn't stop us from dreaming about spring! Join us by making a floral-inspired creation for our challenge for a chance to win Ai stamps!

 Here are the Challenge Rules:

✻ Please make a new card or creation. You can make any crafty item you wish; this is not limited to cards!

✻ Limit two submissions per person. You will receive extra votes if you use Art Impressions stamps!

✻ The Ai Challenge is open to everyone, international submissions are welcome!

✻ Include a link back to the Ai Blog or grab our button on the top right of our sidebar!

✻ Share the Ai love by clicking and commenting your fellow crafters.

✻ Make sure to get your link up by Wednesday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m. PST to enter your creations.

✻ Good luck and happy stamping!

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