Layering your watercolors+SALE information!

Hi there! I have a quick post today that’s fairly photo-heavy. I just wanted to show you what a difference layering your watercolors can make! One of my best watercoloring tips is to add several layers of color to add depth and dimension to your project, and I have a photo progression today that shows how much difference adding each of those layers can make! I also have quite a few sales to share with you, so be sure to read to the end!

I began by heat embossing this stunning, massive, stylized peony bloom from Picket Fence Studios (PFS|EH|SSS) on some Canson Heritage watercolor paper. (I bought some of this to try, and I’m finding that I kinda love it! My beloved Arches has some competition now!) I then pulled out my Vicki Boutin Watercolor Brush Markers and began laying down some color.

For my first layer, I used Coral Macaroon. I wanted a soft, pinky base layer so that I could add layer upon layer of saturated color over the top.

For my second layer, I added some Sugared Strawberry. It’s still in the same pinky coral family as the Coral Macaroon, but a little more intense. Definitely increases the vibrancy of the coloring with even just two layers of color!

For my third layer, I added a touch of Cherry Tart, particularly to the interior curve of the cupped petals to make those shadowed areas more intense. The red mainly helps to intensify the color, rather than adding much in the way of shadows. That comes next.

For the final layer, I used the Plum Pudding to add bits of deep, intense purple to some of the petals with the deepest shadows, the petals that sit behind the petals at the “front” of the flower. (Shadows are all about perspective. From my perspective, I am radiating the light {ha} and so the petals closest to me and facing me are brightest, while the petals farthest from me have the darkest shadows.)

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Here are the first layer and finished product side by side just so that you can compare the intensity of the colors. Amazing what a few layers of ink can do, right?

Now, for some fun sale information! A bunch of your favorite crafty stores are having sales to help you celebrate Independence Day in every way possible!

Picket Fence Studios is having a sitewide sale. Use code FREEDOM to save 20% on your order (including the gorgeous peony stamp that I used in today’s project, as well as the Life Changing Blender Brushes that I use on at least half of my projects!!)

Honey Bee Stamps is also having a sale…. 17.76% off of your entire purchase, including clearance items! (Melissa has been adding tons and tons of supplies, embellishments, papers, etc to the shop too, and those are also included in the sale! I just ordered some more of the Prima Watercolors and can’t wait to play!) Just enter code 1776 at checkout to receive your discount!

Finally, Ellen Hutson is also having a massive sale. 15% off of everything in the store! Simply use code fireworks19 to receive your discount! Score, right?