Watercolor Landscaping

Sketch a few lines here, brush a bit of ink there, and create a pretty landscape.

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Stamp image with Stazon™ and sketch a simple tree outline with an artist pen.
   
   Stamp the main image again on plain scrap paper and create a mask.
   

   

2. Step 2

   Using artist pen, sketch more lines to create bark and limb areas, leaving space to fill in with leaves.
   

   

3. Step 3

   Choose two shades of brown reinkers to use for your tree. I used Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa.
   
   Watercolor tree by washing a layer of light brown re-inker with a large round brush. Allow to dry well.
   
   TIP: If you try adding darker color for shading while ink is still wet it will run and not allow the desired shading.
   

   

4. Step 4

   Using the large round brush, watercolor a second layer of a little darker brown reinker on the tree and allow to dry.
   

   

5. Step 5

   Add shading to the bark lines using darkest brown reinker with small spotter brush.
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6. Step 6

   Choose two shades of green reinkers and Classic inks to use for leaves and grassy area. Using two different shades will create more texture and depth for the leaves. I used Old Olive and Garden Green.
   
   Mask the main image. Using a dry Scruffy brush dipped lightly into light green reinker, apply ink around tree and main image with a dabbing motion to create the grassy area.
   
   TIP: Practice dabbing on a scrap of watercolor paper until you get get the look you desire.
   
   Remove mask. Dab a mini tip applicator on the light green ink pad and sponge area around image not covered with scruffy brush application. The small tip of the applicator makes it possible to apply color in small areas and to guard the image lines.

   

7. Step 7

   Stamp leaves all around tree limbs with Watercolor Minis fern stamp using light green ink. Allow to dry a few minutes.

   

8. Step 8

   Stamp leaves again with darker green ink for added texture.
   

   

9. Step 9

   Using a fairly dry small round brush dipped in darker brown reinker, fill in light spots in between leaf areas to complete the look of limbs.
   

   

10. Step 10

    Sketch grassy sprigs around the scene with artist pen. Fill in grassy area with fern stamp using light green ink. Create a hedge with the fern stamp by holding it up and stamping with just a small portion or tip of the stamp.
    
    

    

11. Step 11

    Add flowers to the hedge with the fern stamp using your choice of classic ink and using the same stamping method as with the hedge. I used Pink Passion.
    
    Watercolor sprigs of sketched grass with small round brush using darker, more concentrated green reinker. Fill in stem lines in the hedge with small round brush using washed green re-inker to give texture.
    
    Add more grassy sprigs and grass texture to your scene as desired.

    

12. Step 12

    Watercolor main image with reinkers.
    
    

    

13. Step 13

    Sponge light yellow classic ink around the hedge to highlight edges. Create the sky by sponging light blue ink over the cloud template. I used Barely Banana and Bashful Blue.
    

    

14. Step 14

    Finish your card.