10 Ways to Watercolor!

watercolor 10 ways 600 title

Hi everyone, it’s Shari here with 10 Ways to Watercolor! Have you been confused as to “what to try” when choosing items for watercoloring? I’m here to help you with a few tips and different types of items that are great to use to get your desired effect.

I’ll break the different types of watercolors down into groups:

  • Dry Paint Pallette
  • Watercolor Pencils
  • H20’s
  • Gelatos
  • Peerless (dry paper)
  • Sprays
  • Inks (2 ways)
  • Markers (2 ways)

Other important items are brushes and watercolor papers.  For paper, I prefer the Tim Holtz Distress watercolor sheets for making cards. It is a true white paper and is cut 4.25″ x 5.5″. For larger projects, another great choice is Strathmore Cold press Watercolor paper 8.5″ x 5.5″.

Brush types can vary not only in size but also round, flat and type of bristles. I have two favorite brushes types that I use all the time, both being from Ranger. The first is the Studio Artist brush set. There is every size I need including wide flat brush for background washes down to super small for painting fine details. My other favorite is the Tim Holtz  Detailer Water Brush with it’s amazing water reservoir! This brush can be filled with Distress Sprays, used to activate watercolor pencils and also for standard painting.

I’ve created a card using some of the sprays and inks that I show in my video where I’ve sampled different watercolor types.

Shari Carroll watercolor

And created a quick watercolor background using inks and the Moroccan Background stamp. I love how the inks mix on the paper to form new color.

Shari Carroll watercolor D1

I’ve put together a video using the types of watercolors that I have and how I use them for painting in a small flower stamped image plus a quick background for my card. . You can view the video below or on our YouTube channel.

There is another watercolor medium that I did not cover, being liquid or tube watercolor paints. Simon Says Stamp has a several sets available: the first being Sakura Koi (12 colors), the Grumbacher Acedemy (8 colors), the Windsor Newton Cotmon (6 colors), the Windsor Newton Cotmon (12 colors) and finally a nice little travel set the Royal Langnickel Keep and Carry set (6 colors). These paints are highly concentrated paste that you would squeeze out onto a pallet and use with water. They are very blendable and transparent, you can let them dry on your pallet to regenerate later with water as you would a dry pallet paint.

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I hope I have given you information on the types of watercolors available and how they are used to make your selections easier.  Have a great weekend!

Card supplies:

In my supplies below, I have listed complete sets on some items, please know you can shop for individual items to suit your needs.

Watercolor Supplies:

  1. Thank you so much, Shari. This video was so helpful; I’m ready to try again. Very pretty card, really like the background.

  2. This was so helpful with lots of good tips. I love the watercolor look, just have not yet been able to achieve the look I like. I really enjoyed this video and the beautiful card.

  3. Absolutely beautiful! I just purchased this stamp & die set so I am anxious to try out your techniques.

  4. beautiful results, If I keep practicing , those methods might start working better for me. Love the soft colors of this card.

  5. Great tips, Shari. Maybe next time you could use a darker ground color. It was a bit difficult to see white flowers on a white table. But easier when you started coloring. Thanks again

  6. I am obsessed with watercolor cards and your card is fabulous! So many ways to use watercolors – and the best part: you can’t mess up! Thanks for sharing!

  7. Thanks for sharing so much great information! Just learning to use watercolors and your video has been saved!

  8. Thank you for the wonderful information. It will make finding supplies that are reliable so much easier.

  9. Love this comprehensive watercolor tutorial, thank you so much! It takes the confusion out of which watercolors fit my style/storage best! Thanks again.

  10. Superb! Thanks for all that information in one video! It’s the best I’ve seen on explaining the varieties of watercolor and when to wet and when not to!

  11. I have some of the products mentioned but just haven’t had the nerve to try them. You packed a lot of info into a short video. Thank you!

  12. This video was great! I love how you covered all the different kinds of paint and how to use them. I even have the courage now to try it myself. Thanks Shari.

  13. Shari,
    Loving the watercolors right now, especially the pastels and flowers, so pretty! Thanks for sharing. Very helpful. HUGS Joan

  14. Thank you for breaking down the different types of water colors. There are so many different types and it is very overwhelming.

  15. Great post!!! Thanks for the breakdown. I LOVE watercolor but usually stick to my tried and true methods. I am inspired to try new techniques.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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