I sat down yesterday with watercolors for the first time. I watched videos from my favorite cardmakers because I wanted to learn to do a watercolor wash background. I figured it would be easy. Wrong!! Eight hours later, I was still "washing"! In fairness I worked on soft blue skies, and vivid stripes, and warm grays, so I didn't actually do the same thing over and over. I did get some backgrounds that I really liked. My biggest problem is control . . . or lack of control. I'd get a background that I liked, but then maybe blow it with some out-of-control splatter - and I'd want to replicate it. It can't be done. The experts say to embrace that lack of control and learn to love whatever happens. For me...not so much.
Anyway, I knew that I also wanted to play with fall colors. I had today's
Papertrey Ink Blog Hop in my challenge log and realized that it was a chance to do a gray background with a vividly-colored leaf. I got back to "washing" first thing this morning - only three tries to get the background.
I'm not totally happy - I wish I had made the left edge of the gray softer and I wish the splatter were more around the leaf - but I'm trying really hard to embrace the lack of control! However, I love the colorful leaf - swirls of fall colors are fun to do and they definitely don't need control!!
My family was most amused that I wanted to become proficient at watercoloring in 8 hours when artists spend their lifetime working at it! Today my focus is going to be watercoloring images - I'm thinking that might be better for me. Adding color to defined spaces seems much more controlled!!
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Gorgeous watercolor, Kim! I really like the gray shading behind the beautiful leaf!
ReplyDeleteFor a '1st timer' you look to be a pro! Gorgeous grey shading. But your leaves are the stars!
ReplyDeleteI love it! The gray is a great touch and the leaf is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love your "lack of control" card Kim! Your gray background is just perfect against your colorful leaf and makes it really pop! Lovely, lovely card!! :0)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card! The leaf is awesome! I love your background wash. I too struggle with the control aspect of this technique (ok, any technique).
ReplyDeleteOoooo lovely, Kim. Love the water coloring. I've been admiring that die. BTW, I think you could play this over at AAA Cards Autumn Colors challenge. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning, Kim! I think you've mastered that whole watercolored background! I struggle with it too. Yours looks like a pro!!
ReplyDeleteGreat take on the challenge. So pretty with the water coloring.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! Love the colors on your leaf.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful take on the colors of autumn.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! That grey/black w/c background is creative and beautiful and unexpected - it gives the whole card a very artistic feel!
ReplyDeleteKim, I can SO relate to your watercoloring experience! But I do think that your card turned out beautifully!!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! I have get to attempt the watercolouring but you have inspired me. Love the effect and well done embracing the lack of control with the paints :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I love the watercolouring you added to the background!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, the lack of control (not to mention the waiting time to dry) is not for me!! Yours turned out great though Kim. The colors on your leaf are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful card, Kim! You made me laugh with your control issues coming up while you "learned" watercolour in 8 hours! I use watercolouring as therapy to help learn to let go and be a little less controlled, so hard for a perfectionist, haha! Your efforts paid off with this gorgeous leaf and background.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful leaf & I like your washed background!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card Kim! That leaf looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteDon't agree... I think the card is perfect. The dark areas emphasize the beautiful leaf! I appreciate the inspiration for this diecut thks!
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