5 Inspiring Cards That Will Make You Want to Try Watercolor Tubes

Have you ever stared at a blank card, feeling stuck, and yearning for that spark of inspiration? As cardmakers, we often find ourselves juggling the desire for unique designs with the frustration of using the same techniques and mediums over and over. Enter watercolor tubes—a medium that can transform your cards from ordinary to extraordinary!

In this blog, we’ll explore 5 inspiring cards that showcase the vibrant possibilities of watercolor, igniting your creativity and helping you break free from the confines of traditional cardmaking. We know it could be intimidating, but we’re here to debunk the myth that watercolor tubes are difficult to use in cardmaking. You don’t need to be an expert at watercoloring to play with these coloring mediums! Let’s get dive in!

Watercolor Tubes In Cardmaking

Watercolor tubes have become increasingly popular in the world of cardmaking, and for good reason. These vibrant pigments offer endless possibilities for creating stunning designs and adding a personal touch to your cards. Mastering watercolor techniques enhances your creativity and boosts your confidence in experimenting with different styles. 

Let’s explore 4 essential techniques that will leave you itching to pick up those watercolor tubes and get crafting!

4 Watercolor Tube Techniques Every Beginner Cardmaker Should Know

1. Wet-on-Wet Technique

The wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint to a wet surface, allowing the colors to blend and create beautiful, soft transitions. To practice this technique, start with a wet surface and experiment with color blending to create dreamy, ethereal effects. A simple floral card using this technique can instantly elevate your card designs.

2. Wet-on-Dry Technique

Contrary to the wet-on-wet technique, wet-on-dry involves applying wet paint to a dry surface, resulting in more defined edges and precise details. Practice layering colors for depth and experiment with geometric patterns or stripes for a modern twist on traditional watercolor designs.

FREE Watercolor Swatches

Tip: Before embarking on your watercolor journey, it’s good to create color swatches to keep track of the shades you have and choose the right colors for your design. You can also get our FREE downloadable color and blank watercolor swatches HERE.

3. Layering Technique

Layering is a fundamental technique in watercolor painting that involves building up colors by allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. Start with lighter colors and gradually build up darker shades to create depth and dimension. Imagine a stunning sunset background for a greeting card using this technique!

4. Splattering Technique

The splattering technique is a game-changer for those who love adding texture and whimsy to their designs. Use a brush or even a toothbrush to create splatter effects, but be sure to practice on scrap paper first to control the amount and direction of the splatters. Picture a starry night or confetti background that will add a touch of magic to your handmade cards.

5 Inspiring Cardmaking Projects Using Watercolor Tubes

• Floral Watercolor Card

Create a stunning floral watercolor card using the wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques. Sketch out your floral design, then use the wet-on-wet technique for the base, followed by adding details with the wet-on-dry technique.

Tip: While each Paint-by-Number sheet has recommended colors, making it easy for beginners to choose a color palette, Aga went for her favorite color combo and used Toluidine Red, Quinacridone Magenta, Gold Ochre, and Olive Green.

• Watercolor Hot Foiled Images

If you want a bit of shine and texture to your watercolor card, here’s a fun idea by Emily! She  hot foiled the Blossoming Apple Press Plate/Foil Plate onto some Hot Pressed Watercolor Paper using the Champagne Mirror Hot Foil Roll. 

Tip from Emily: “I've had great results with hot foiling on both hot and cold-pressed watercolor paper; if you haven't tried it and love to watercolor, I highly encourage you to give it a go!”

• Watercolor Card with Stencil Impression

Add a modern twist to your handmade cards with a geometric watercolor background! Here’s a fun technique to try with watercolor tubes. Erum stamped the Build-A-Garden: Elegant Tulips images onto watercolor paper and started watercoloring away. Here’s how she created the background:

• Add water onto an A2 Watercolor Cardstock, leaving the top and bottom right corners untouched.
• Apply Dark Cyan diluted pigment to this area. Make sure it’s more concentrated on the left and less on the right side.
• While the background is still wet, place the trellis stencil from the Build-A-Garden: Elegant Tulips Coloring Stencil Set over it and add some more pigment. 
• Put something heavy over it and leave it to dry for half an hour or so. This will leave the stencil's imprint on the panel.
• Use a heat tool to dry the panel completely. 

• Simple No-Line Watercolor Flower Card

If you are still intimidated by the idea of watercoloring stamped floral images, try our Exotic Blooms Watercolor Coloring Book! We’ve thoughtfully designed this watercoloring book to help you create gorgeous watercolor floral card panels instantly. 

In her watercolor card above, Lydia used the magnolia image with gray outlines to create that “no-line effect” along with some watercolor tubes. You can find the step-by-step instructions on how she painted the images HERE.

• Freehand Watercolored Fruit

Try sketching your favorite fruit - apples, oranges, strawberries, bananas, watermelons, etc. - and add colors using watercolor tubes. Therese admitted that she’s still working on her watercolor skills and had always wanted to try watercoloring her own hand-drawn images! We hope you give this a try too.

More Watercolor Card Ideas!

• Sunset Scene Card

Transport your recipients to a serene sunset scene with a beautifully painted watercolor card. Paint the sunset background using layering, then add silhouettes such as trees or mountains using the wet-on-dry technique. Complete the scene with a heartfelt quote or greeting for an extra touch of warmth.

Did You Know? If you’re having trouble controlling the intensity of your watercolor pigments, try putting them into half pans and allow them to dry.

• Starry Night Card

Channel your inner Van Gogh and create a mesmerizing starry night card using watercolor tubes. Create a dark background using wet-on-dry, then use the splattering technique to add stars. Consider adding a moon or other elements using the masking technique for an ethereal touch.

• Confetti Celebration Card

Celebrate special occasions with a vibrant confetti celebration card. Create a colorful background with splattering using watercolor tubes, then add a fun sentiment in the center for an extra dose of joy. For added texture, consider using the layering technique to make your confetti pop!

This Is Your Sign to Try Watercolor Tubes in Cardmaking!

As you've seen through these 5 inspiring watercolor cards, watercolor tubes offer endless possibilities for creativity in your cardmaking journey. Don’t let the fear of trying something new hold you back! Embrace the fluidity and spontaneity of watercolors, and watch as your designs come to life in vibrant hues. 

Remember, every artist starts somewhere, and experimenting with this medium can lead to stunning results you never thought possible. Grab your watercolor tubes and get ready to paint the town – or at least some beautiful cards – with watercolor tubes!

If you're hungry for more tips and projects to fuel your creative journey, consider subscribing to our In the Craft Room blog for regular updates. Feel free to share this post on social media to inspire your fellow crafters and spread the joy of watercoloring and cardmaking!