My Great Great Grandfather James Somerville was an artist. I… am not! Fun facts: He worked mostly in watercolors, designed the back of a Canadian bank note, and hardly ever painted people in his work. Although he did his self-portrait in oils. I am lucky to have a few of his paintings. I am unlucky in that I did not inherit any of his artistic genes! However, these new Distress Watercolor Pencils by Tim Holtz and Ranger, along with a stamp from Stampers Anonymous, let me express my own version of art. I wonder what Grandpa Somerville would have thought of these pencils? I’m sure he would have been amazed at the advancement in watercolor pencil technology! The pigment in these pencils is unreal. My takeaway message is that a little goes a long way, and that several lighter layers are better.
I chose the Floral Elements stamp set from Stampers Anonymous, because the flowers and greenery had a lot of open space that I could apply color to. The elements are separate, allowing you to create your own bouquet. I wasn’t quite sure what the final card was going to look like, or even if it would end up being a card. I started with a large (5×7) piece of watercolor paper to give myself more options, and laid out a rough arrangement of the stamps in the center of the paper, before I began stamping with Jet Black Archival ink.
After I got the main flowers arranged, I added some leaves. For my pencils, I picked fall colors. Coincidentally, at this point, I got a text from my son who said he was going to call shortly. So I just grabbed my pencils, a waterbrush, and my stamped image, and relocated to the kitchen so my husband could be on the call as well. No boys allowed in the craftroom! So easy and portable! I colored while we were on the phone. I can definitely see these pencils traveling well. Working with the pencils, I think the one thing I discovered is that it’s better to start with a light layer of color and add more. The pigment moves really easily with a little bit of water and the waterbrush, so I found it easy to push it where I wanted it.
When I had finished coloring, I decided to cut the panel down with the largest Tim Holtz Sizzix Stacked Deckle Die. I ended up changing the orientation of how I thought I wanted it, so every time I look at the finished card, I feel like it’s upside down! But I’m glad I started with a larger piece of paper so I could make the decision of how to crop it after it was done. Before I die cut, I chose a sentiment to add, and made sure it would fit. This sentiment is from Catherine Pooler’s Notable and Quotable Sentiment Stamp set. I diecut the panel, then stamped the image in Jet Black Archival ink, and embossed with detail clear embossing powder.
To finish up the card, I splattered with Picket Fence and Antique Linen Spray Stains, and distressed around the panel with Old Paper Distress ink. I layered this onto a piece of kraft stock from the neutral Kraft Stock Stack, and then layered that onto a Peeled Paint background I had leftover from another project. I tied some string on to balance the sentiment.
These Distress Watercolor Pencils are super easy to use, and produce great results. It almost looks like I knew what I was doing! All you need is a waterbrush, or even just a regular paint brush (the waterbrush is easier). If you have a Santa in your life, or are looking for a special gift to give to yourself, put these pencils on your list. You’ll be happy you did! Please consider supporting my Design Team sponsor, Melanie at ScrappyShak! She’s a wonderful woman, stands behind her company, and truly cares about each and every customer. Most of the products I used are available at ScrappyShak!
Products used, available at ScrappyShak:
Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Pencils
Stampers Anonymous Floral Elements 2 Stamp Set
Idea-ology Kraft Stock Stack – neutrals
Distress Spray Stains – Peeled Paint, Antique Linen, Picket Fence
Distress Ink Pad – Old Paper
Also used:
Sizzix Stacked Deckle Dies, or use Deckle Trimmer
Catherine Pooler Noteable and Quotable Sentiments Stamp Set
Thank you for stopping by my blog, and have a beautiful day!
Vicki Fedor 