Color Techniques for Card Making – Papercrafting Playdate 174

At our recent yearly Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator event I was reminded to not forget about some basic coloring techniques using classic tools. I found this to be so inspirational that I wanted to play with them all this week! Are you ready? Get out some of your maybe unused supplies and let’s put them back to work.

Here’s Your Homework 😉

1. Watch the video tutorial for Coloring Techniques – Papercraftign Playdate 174
2. Download the free pdf to use a resource while you practice the techniques at home.
3. Dig into your supply stash for some tools you may have forgotten about.

Technique #1 – Combined Detail Coloring

1. Stamp image in Classic inks on Basic White cardstock.
2. Apply details and shading using Watercolor Pencils.
3. Use Blender Pens to make the pencil marks smooth (or not!).

Technique #2 – Watercolor Emboss Resist

1. Stamp image in Versamark ink on Watercolor Paper.
2. Cover with White (or Clear) embossing powder and heat set.
3. Create a pool of ink inside ink pad lid or on a separate dish.
4. Use Water Painters to watercolor over embossed image.
5. Dab excess pooled ink with tissue and let air dry or carefully heat set.
6. Add stamped images over embosses area
7. Use tissue to wipe ink off of embossed area.
8. REVERSE Method: Make the watercolor background first. Let dry. Emboss over the top.

Technique #3 – Ink Smooshing

• Apply 2-3 colors of ink to a plastic or glass surface (wax paper, acetate, ziplock bag, etc) creating a random pattern or use stamps to create the patterns. 
• Spritz with a fine mist of water until the ink is very wet and starts to run together. 
• Lay the watercolor paper face down on top of the ink and let it sit for a minute soaking up the ink & water.  
• Gently lift up and blot large drips with a paper towel. Let dry or use heat tool to speed up the process. 
• Use the watercolored paper as a background or backdrop for some collage or a focal point. Add additional stamped images to watercolored background.
• Optional (shown in photos below):  Cut out an alphabet letter or shape out of masking paper and add to watercolor paper first, then do smooshing technique, then remove mask.

Product List

I hope that you have remembered a few older color techniques that you forgot about, or maybe something new that you want to try. I challenge you to search your stash for your watercolor pencils, blender pens, and any other tools you haven’t used in awhile and start playing!