An Easy Approach to Detail Watercolor + Simon’s Friendly Frolic Release Blog Hop
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Hello creative friends, Happy Friday! Are you hopping along in the Simon Says Stamp Friendly Frolic release blog hop? I am so excited to be one of the stops in this 2-day hop (visit Simon’s blog tomorrow for day 2)!
If you have already been hopping along, you should have arrived from Amanda Korotkova’s blog. Full hop order is listed below!
In my video today, I will be breaking down my process for creating detailed watercolor effects. This may look like a hard thing to acheive, but I am hoping that my tutorial (at the top of this post), will show you that it actually is rather simple. I recommend these tips when creating with this technique:
- Use a detail watercolor brush (a size 2 or smaller)
- Practice your brushstrokes on a piece of scrap paper before going directly to your paper. This will also familiarize you with how your brush handles and the most comfortable way to hold it.
- Pull watercolor from your half pans over a temporary palette and work with the small, damp puddle of pigment.
- Make sure your brush is not oversaturate; use as little water as possible and shape your brush into a point as you dab the water off.
I’ll show you these keys in the video, which I have at the top of this post.
After watercoloring the Sketch Lotus Flowers with my detail watercoloring, I stamped a greeting using the Uplifting Sentiments stamp set; both of these are new stamp sets from Simon’s Friendly Frolic release. There are a few Hawaiian Sunset sequins scattered on the card, and my card base is stamped with the also-brand-new, Folk Dance cling stamp using white pigment ink on top of Velvet cardstock.
SUPPLIES
I had so much fun with the detailed watercoloring, that I created a second card using the same technique! This time I challenged myself even more by using as few colors as possible to do my watercoloring. In total, I used only 6 different colors, and acheived new hues and tones by mixing my colors together.
The stunning hibiscus flowers are part of the new Earth Has Music stamp set that Simon released in their Friendly Frolic collection. I adore the images, which were all illustrated by the talented Stephanie Low. I kept the card super-simple, because this coloring was SO detailed. There is a sentiment from the Uplifting Sentiments set (a new favorite of mine now!), and I included a few sequins on this card too, which are from the Hawaiian Sunset confetti mix.
SUPPLIES
As with any blog hop, Simon is giving away a $25 gift card to every stop in this hop! All you have to do is leave a comment for a chance to win! The more comments you leave along the hop, the more chances you have at winning a little shopping spree! :)
Simon will choose the winners at the end of the weekend and annouce them on Wednesday on the Simon blog.
I hope you enjoyed the cards I’ve shared today and are inspired to try this technique for yourself!
Don’t forget that there are lots more inspiration to see along the hop! Your next stop is, Jessica Frost-Ballas!
Nina-Marie Trapani – you are here!
Thank you so much for visiting with me today! I will be back again very soon with more inspiration to share!
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well, I missed this blog hop, and somehow missed it on YT, but I found it today and learned a lot. I am marking this one for future reference. Now I want to go find a pretty flower stamp and try this out! The results are stunning, and the card recipient doesn’t need to know that I am not a genius! Thanks so much.
Your cards are phenomenal and the video so helpful!!! I like the way you showed how to keep the shape of the brush and other tips for watercoloring. So many others talk about things like that but this is the first video I’ve seen where someone actually demonstrated that information. It was so helpful!!! Thank you!
Your water coloring is gorgeous.
That second card is gorgeous! Love the coloring of it. Thanks for showing the reality of a different stamp set.
Wonderful cards! Love this new release!!!
Thanks for all the tips! really helpful
I’m a sucker for watercoloring!
Oh my gosh, these cards are so pretty. Your watercoloring tips were so informative, thank you! Your techniques really made those flowers and especially the feather come to life! This new release has so many amazing stamps, but thes sketchy lotus flowers are my favorite!
Lovely cards–the more I see of these stamp sets the more I think I “need” it. Thanks for providing watercoloring tutorial. Would love to win gift certificate so I could get it. Thanks for inspiring me today!
:) Marie
SQUEAL!! LOVING the AMAZING Inspiration and the NEW Products!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! <3
Wonderful cards! I love the gorgeous watercolouring you did, and the layers, especially the dark, patterned base of the first card.
What fabulous cards!! The colors are FABULOUS! I love purple.
Love your cards!
Stunning cards; thanks for the tutorial!
Great release! Awesome creations, I especially love the details you achieved with the thin brush.
Beautiful coloring!!
My oh my the feather card is beautiful.
Oh wow your cards are absolutely stunning!!!!
Hello, I watch your videos but usually never leave comments but I just had to this time. I love the way your flowers look. They are simply amazing. The color variation just makes the flowers look so gorgeous. I just had to try to make the lines like you showed and it works. Thanks.
Wow! Such beautiful water colouring! The hibiscus feather looks amazing!
You are so talented. Your cards are stunning. Thanks for the video.
Love the colors! Beautiful cards.
Gorgeous card, love the watercoloring
You are so TALENTED !!! Beautiful cards , I’d love to see more watercolour techniques.
Very nice, love both cards. Thanks for the video sharing how you colored the cards.
This feather is so gorgeous! Love it
These cards are just gorgeous! Love all the detail you added to the flowers and the feather. The Sketch lotus is my favorite from this release.
Wow…just gorgeous!
Lovely cards. Everyone seems to have a different spin on the lotus flower stamp set, and every one of the spins is outstanding.
Your cards are so beautiful! Love that detail water color technique. Can’t wait to try it.
Stunning card! Love the water coloring!
Thank you for all the tips. The detail watercoloring really made the card pop.
These are exquisite! Your watercoloring is always outstanding!
I love the watercolor you used.
Oh my goodness, these cards are gorgeous! LOVE your watercoloring technique – such beautiful results!
You did a beautiful job coloring these! Such lovely cards
Absolutely gorgeous watercoloring detail. Great tips for achieving the look you’ve accomplished.
Your cards are both beautiful….as usual. But the one with the feathers…just struck a chord with me….I loved it very much..thank you so much.
Very lovely cards. Like the information on varying your watercoloring.
You’ve made such a fantastic floral card ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
I love the cards you made and what a great technique, I have never seen this before but will certainly give this a try. The second card you made is breathtaking in this technique, this is also my no. 1 favorite from this release. Thank you so much for your awesome tutorial and cards Nina-Marie.
The cards are beautiful and I love the striping on the coloring! Great technique!????????
Your cards are beautiful ! I love the Earth has music stamps set and your colors are perfect for this stamp.
The colors of your cards are so beautiful.
Hi Nina-Marie, you are so talented. Such lovely painting and colors. That Lotus stamp is sooo pretty. Thx for sharing.
Love the Lotus Flowers!
Beautiful card! Thanks for your watercoloring tips!
Very cool watercolor technique – thanks for sharing!
So beautiful! You make watercoloring look so easy. These two cards are gorgeous!
Loved watching the video of your dry brush technique as you painted the lotus flowers. The result looks like colored pencil because each stroke is filled with pigment. Thanks for the tutorial.
Beautiful watercoloring – thanks for sharing!
Interesting technique, and I adore your hibiscus card!
Stunning coloring Nina. Thank you for the video
great tutorial, Nina. luv the effect, especially for the feather!
Beautiful cards! I love your colors and designs.
Beautiful cards and watercoloring
Such beautiful cards and great tips in the video. Learned so much, as always. Thank you.
Nina, you inspire me! Your cards are so beautiful. I always learn so much watching your tutorials. Thank you!
Your cards are stunning! I’ve never tried detailed water coloring, but I may have to give it a try after seeing the amazing results you can achieve.
Both of your cards are gorgeous!! I thoroughly enjoyed your video. I will definitely be giving this technique a try.
My world, girl, your talent has no boundaries! You create such amazing and breathtaking stuff!
So outstanding!! I love both cards but the Earth Has Music card is so beautiful!
Love the colours and your great tutorial! Thank you.
Love the flowers nestled on the leaf.
Beautiful coloring on the cards.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sorry – I should have said feather. it’s still
beautiful. My mind and fingers didn’t get in sync.
thanks again.
Oh my goodness both of your cards are amazingly beautiful. I love all of the awesome detail you have created!
Your cards are always so beautiful!
Your watercolor cards are beautiful! This is something I haven’t tried yet, but might have to try!
Your cards are so beautiful. I love the colors and your coloring is excellent.
Wow stunning cards! You definitely make me want to be able to watercolor as beautiful as yours!
Your cards show that less is more, really elegant cards
Your water coloring is gorgeous! I’m very intimidated by water coloring. I will watch your tutorial, but I think I enjoy watching people water color more than actually doing it,. Love your cards!
Amazing! So obvious you put your heart into creating!
Gorgeous cards! Thanks for all of the tips!
Thank you so much for the extra video on the watercoloring! Loved the water on barrel comment…more than once I’ve had water all of a sudden rush to the brush & couldn’t figure out why….I’ll be checking the barrel!!! Beautiful work!
Oh my god! So beautiful!!! I just started watercoloring with my stamps and I can’t wait to dive into your channel for tips.
Thanks for the pointers
Thanks for the inspiration!
Looking forward to trying this watercolour technique–thanks for the great idea!
Your cards are gorgeous and I love the use of the new Lotus Flower, just stunning!!!
OMG!!! Your cards are absolutely stunning and so breathtakingly beautiful!!!
What a lovely card. Your watercoloring is so beautiful.
Gorgeous watercoloring. Your cards are always lovely. I need to try more water coloring because I love the results.
Gorgeous cards! The coloring is outstanding.
Beautiful and inspiring card
Wow! Wow! Wow!!! Your cards are simply breathless!!! Stunning watercolour technique!!!
Your watercolor is so unique it almost looks like colored pencils with all the details you did! Such great display of your talent
Gorgeous cards – outstanding colors. And I love the new look of your blog.
Definitely going to try this!
WOW, stunning just stunning! I am going to watch your tutorial but I can’t imagine being able to come anywhere near as amazing. I am going to try tho’ :)
Beautiful cards.
You did a great job explaining and demonstrating the fine detail technique. Your painting is so pretty on this stamp set! TFS
Love the coloring of your flowers! Beautiful cards!
Wow! I’m excited to give this technique a try!
So pretty–love your coloring.
Stunning! Gorgeous coloring and cards!
Thank you so much, Nina, for your excellent detailed video showing us how to achiever those gorgeous lines in the flowers and leaves. I am definitely going to give your ideas a try, and if my work turns out half as lovely as yours, I’ll be happy! Loving this release today!
Beautiful cards! Thank you for the watercoloring tips!
Both cards are pretty but I especially love the second card!
wow. i am seriously impressed. that is some talent you have there, on those cards. those hibiscus glow. thank you for sharing that, it’s special
The watercoloring on these cards is just WOW! So much texture and detail, I love these!
I so enjoy all the sharing. Thank you
gorgeous! such a cool technique!
So fun! What great new products❣️????
Thanks for all the tips on watercoloring. Your card is absolutely beautiful.
Wow, gorgeous cards! You have amazing artistic talents! I’m going to give your tips a try and see how I do with it. Coloring/painting are so intimidating to me but I’m going to keep trying. Thanks for the helpful video!
I was unfamiliar with these watercolors. Thanks for showing how to use them.
Beautiful coloring on the flow6! Love both cards!
Thanks for sharing your watercoloring Technique!
Thank you for all the great tips on the water coloring! I thought you had water colored the background and then used colored pencils when I first looked at it. Beautiful job with the water colors! Thank you for sharing!
Stunning.. Simply stunning!
Really beautiful cards. Thanks for the expertise!
So creative with the water colors.
WOW, NINA! THANK YOU for the tips on water coloring! You did SUCH GORGEOUS WORK on your cards! I LOVED watching you work! I am in AWE of the feathers! I saw that set over on the SSS Blog & am LOVING the look of those stamps! This is a SUPER Release! (I took notes on your water coloring! ;) ) SUPER JOB, Nina!!!!
fun, fun cards. thanks as always for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this lovely card as well as the great video about how to watercolor. I know nothing about painting and need all the tips and information I can get.
Beautiful cards!
OMG, these are so beautiful! Love the tutorial, although you make it look so easy and I fear it may not be! Will give it a try.
Beautiful painting!
Your cards are so beautiful! I just love how you colored the images :) Thanks for sharing your watercoloring tips in the video!
You are inspiring , what wonderful cards!
These are beautiful. Thanks for sharing this technique for adding more depth and color. Love the way it looks! It’s perfect for these new designs from SSS!
Your cards are gorgeous–love this new release! Great job!
Your water coloring is beautiful. Loving the background you made too!
Pretty cards and great video. Thanks.
Beautiful watercoloring job. The second is my favorite. I think it is because I loved the greens in the leaves which helped the flowers to “pop”.
You are so amazing !!! You make it look easy!!! Flawless beauty! This is a GREAT design AND Product HOP!
Oh wow I LOVE this watercolor technique! It’s so simple but looks like it takes lots of skill and time. Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous cards!
What beautifully colored card designs! These new stamps promise to be wonderful for card designs. tfs
Stunningly beautiful card, love the colouring! Always inspiring!
Your cards are just beautiful. I learn so much from watching your tutorials. Thank you
Wonderful watercoloring.
Melissa
“Sunshine HoneyBee”
So pretty! Love this card.
So very beautiful. All this release has such possibilities. I love everything, so now comes decision time! Nicely done.
Your flowers are so pretty! Thanks so much for sharing these fun new products with us!!
You are so detailed with your coloring! It’s incredible!
Love your technique and can’t wait to try it. Hibiscus is one of my favorite flowers, so I especially love that today.
Love the cards so much. Thanks for the video tutorial!
Excellent tutorial, especially in regards to the brush and practicing strokes…. those tips are golden.
I just got some new watercolors so I will try your tips to watercolor my cards. Yours are beautiful.
Another unique use of this stamp. Love your style.
I love this big set and you did a beautiful job showcasing it. Thanks so much
Beautiful. Thx for the watercoloring tips
Beautiful cards. I’m trying to learn water coloring so this is timely.
Your watercoloring is stunning! The lotus stamp is at the top of my favorites from the new release.
Wow! Beautiful cards! Thanks for the video; it makes me want to try this technique.
Fantastic cards. Love the these new products! Thanks so much for sharing…
These cards are so beautiful and your watercolor is fantastic ????
Absolutely gorgeous coloring on these beautiful flowers! Love the design also! Thanks for the coloring tips!!
I’m new to stampin’ and blog hopping so I’m excited to see new ideas!
Gorgeous cards. Thanks so much for the video tutorial.
Beautiful water coloring!
These are so gorgeous! Thank you for the tutorial…the little details really make the cards! TFS
Wow!!! These are some really Stunning cards!!! I love your coloring!!
The first card is beautiful with all the purples, my favorite color. The feather card was pretty to, not a big fan of feathers but the coloring you did on it was awesome.
Beautiful! Thank you for the tutorial – great information and tips!
Your cards are incredible!
Nina, these are absolutely amazing cards. So detailed. Thanks for the detailed how-to too.
Your cards are so gorgeous. Your instructions were wonderful – and I appreciate you encouraging everyone to give it a try.
Love your cards.
Impressed with the attention to detail I see in flower/feather card; lovely.
Nina, always love your ideas and videos! Beautiful flowers!
Thanks
This cards are stunning, what a talent you have. Thanks for the video, it’s helping me with my goal of bettering my water coloring skills
You are so talented!! These cards are gorgeous!! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Thanks for the great video demonstrating added details to water coloring.
I watched your video and am so impressed with your style of painting and explanations that I signed up to get your tutorials. Thank you for inspiring me and creating such beautiful cards!!!
Beautiful colours and designs for your cards.
Thanks for all your inspiration. Great cards.
These are absolutely gorgeous! I’ll definitely have to try out these techniques when I get the chance! You made these stamps really shine and look like original works! Well done :D
Nina u are a card guru! Love what u did this time! I wanna be u when I grow up!
It is mesmerizing to watch you paint, Nina. It is beautiful as well as the hibiscus. Thank you for sharing your talents!
Love the look of this card.
Love love love this card!!!
Lovely coloring!
Thank you for the tutorial & making it look like I could actually try thiis!
Both your cards are striking beautiful & delicate looking. Thank you for such an encouraging, detailed video. Your brush work is amazing, in awe of you. I’m going to try your ideas.
beautiful card and great inspiration.
Gorgeous cards, Nina. You always inspire me, and this technique is no exception. This release has such beautiful florals, and you’ve created beautiful cards using them.
Great cards. I love the stamps in this release.
Wow! Gorgeous cards! Thanks so much for the fantastic technique video. :)
Thank you for sharing this technique! That looked very doable :-) Looking forward to giving it a try!
You always use such beautiful colors. Love what you did with that lotus flower. Awesome!
Beautiful work as usual! Love the softness of these cards!
Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing this technique.
Stunning cards Nina! Gorgeous watercoloring as always and I love the subtle interest from your background panels.
Beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing your wonderful gtips on watercoloring.
Wow! Stunning! Your coloring is always so beautiful!
Thanks for sharing your detailed watercoloring technique in the video. The results you achieved look stunning!
very pretty cards! love the new release!
These are beautiful!!!
Thanks for the tips.
Gorgeous cards!
All I can say is WOW!
Your cards are beautiful ! You’ve used my two favorites from this release, thank you for the inspiration !
Thank you so much for your detailed tutorials. I am new to watercolors and this video has really shown me some good instruction. I especially like how encouraging you are, which certainly makes it less intimidating to start watercoloring. Thank you Nina!
Beautiful coloring. Love the colors you selected.
I love your watercolour style! You have made these inspirational!
What great design and beautiful cards! Thank you for sharing your coloring techniques!
Love these gorgeous cards! Your watercolor tips are the best – I need to practice more.
Exquisite coloring of the flowers! Great job on both of your cards!
Gorgeous water coloring and really great tips!
Gorgeous watercoloring! Love your work and your videos!
Your water coloring is amazing! I wish my cards would look like yours.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Very beautiful cards. I love the video which is so detailed. And i also love the patterned card bases that you have used.
Gorgeous flowers and colors! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Stunning watercoloring, beautiful cards!!
Your cards are stunning! I have used this technique with colored pencils so now I will give it a try with watercolor, great video!
Absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing this technique! I am in love with the Hibiscus!
I think your painting is so beautiful! I love your cards!
I sure wish that I could get the results that you get using water colors. I guess I have to just practice.
So pretty , love these detailed coloring . Pretty in all aspects.
Thank you for the tutorial. I notice that you also hold your brush like a pencil, close to the brush. This give more control. Never thought to do this. LOVE your colors that you chose. You rock!!
Such beautiful coloring! I love the purple flower!!
Beautiful cards! I love the watercoloring — great tips.
Wow, spectacular cards! Your watercolouring is amazing!
You did a great job with watercoloring this versatilite Stamps. Thanks for sharing.
Wow!! Gorgeous!!
Gorgeous cards, thanks for all the tips!
Beautiful cards. Amazing watercoloring. Thanks for sharing your techniques and tips.
Love the Hibiscus on the feather card. So unique.
awww! the cute lil animals look incredible!!Thank you for sharing.
Your watercolor tutorials are always so much fun. These flowers look amazing and that velvet background….wow! TFS!
Beautiful water coloring! Your cards are awesome!
INCREDIBLE!!!! You are an artist, not just a crafter. I am going to go look at your flowers again!!
Your cards are stunning and your video is so helpful! Thank you so much!
Your cards are so lovely. Great colors
Beautiful summer flowers and amazing watercolor too! I am always inspired by your designs!
Simply stunning cards! Your water coloring is fabulous. Thank you for sharing in video…very helpful and instructive ♥
I wart to learn how to water coloring
lovely cards and inventive coloring:)
Thank you for the video. Great technique!
These are absolutely stunning! Not only are the stamps and coloring beautiful but I am in love with your layout on the first card. Thank you for sharing the method!
Beautiful cards.Love the watercolor technique
These are absolutely stunning cards Nina and as soon as I am finished the hop I am going to practice this technique you’ve shown to add detail to my flowers.
Lovely card, NIna. I love the watercoloring but also the beautiful backdrop behind the watercolor piece!
Wow! These are stunning, your coloring is awesome!!
Lovely cards! This is a fun release
Your coloring is just AWEsome and beautiful. Stunning cards.
Love the flower feather.
Both of your cards are magnificently water-colored and I loved watching your tutorial! You give such hope for non-painters like me. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for showing us that there are soooooo many different ways to use the stamp sets. They are beautiful!
Lovely watercolor technique!
I love how these turned out! :) Great job, and thanks for sharing!
What a pretty card, I an going to try this watercolor methiod it is so detailed.
Love both the cards Nina. The colours are just beautiful and so uplifting.
I have never seen this technique explained. It is something I am eager to try. Your cards turned out gorgeous! Thank you for the explanation.