Yesterday was my step-father's 60th birthday, and over the weekend we threw him a party. My step-father is an outdoorsy kind of guy, and as soon as I saw Under the Stars in the new catalog, I knew it would be a fun set to work with for a card for him. I sat down Saturday morning and I was able to create this card in less then 15 minutes. I was quite pleased with how it turned out!
Materials: Under the Stars, Owl Together Now, Wow Wishes
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Baja Breeze and Confetti White
Ink: Basic Grey, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Antique Brads, Aquapainter and Stampin' Dimensionals
Most of the ink colors I used when watercoloring Mr. Bear. The trick is to thin down the ink so it is quite watery and to be messy. If you've been to any of my classes or workshops, then I've taught you when using the Aquapainters to squeeze just enough to get the tip wet or else you end up with a big puddly mess. Well, when I was at convention, I had the pleasure of watching Brent Steele, our Vice President of Creative Services (he's in charge of the catalog!) watercolor this exact bear. Brent, I believe, has a degree in art, and it is always nice to see what creative projects he comes up with. Anyway, Brent used a watercolor brush and he showed us to get the brush nice and wet and thin down the ink so it isn't so dark. I used the ink off the lids of my stamp pads and I kept squeezing my aquapainter so that the ink was nice and watery like this:
You want the ink to be thin so that it will flow and spread nicely. When you are actually watercoloring with it, you want to be able to move your brush quickly, without thinking about it too much.

Here I've put the first layer of color on Mr. Bear. I used More Mustard and you can see I wasn't too particular as to where the color landed. You always want to start with your lightest colors first and it is a good thing to leave white space.
Next I added a layer of Really Rust. I mostly covered up the original layer, but not completely. I also hit some of the areas that may not have gotten color the first time. Also, see his feet? Yes, that is ink that is OUTSIDE OF THE LINES! OH NO! It's OK! Going outside of the lines adds to the watercolor feel.
Finally, I added a final layer of Chocolate Chip. I first went over the whole thing in the same manner. Then I went back, and see how his left side is a bit darker? Also along the left side of his face and his belly. To make it a bit more realistic, you need to add shadows. I usually put the shadows on the left side as if that was the side that the light was shining from. No particular reason, other then I just like it that way! To make the shadows, I picked up some of the ink that wasn't quite as watered down so it would be a bit darker.
There! Now you know a few watercoloring secrets! Why don't you give it a try and show me what you've come up with! Also, until September 30, Mr.Bear is on special for 15% off along with several other brand new sets. Check it out
Happy Stamping!
Michelle