Tutorial: How to use your ink pads as markers/water color paints
 

Hi all, hope you are having a great day! I just did my first tutorial and would love your feed back. The tutorial takes you step by step to using your stamping spots as markers/water colors, and since this is my first attempt at a tutorial your input is much appreciated!

The tutorial is designed more for the beginning stamper, especially those who do not have much experience in water color technique. So if you are just starting out make sure to visit and email me with any questions you have.

Click here to go directly to the post, or you can go to my blog, AfterHoursStamper.blogspot.com (right now the tutorial is at the top).

Ok, am now off to make some more cards. : )

I think your tutorial is fantastic - I LOVE that you suggest to stamp the image a few times before starting - so you can practice. I can't count how many times I've stamped an image, started coloring, messed up and then got frustrated because I had already cleaned the stamp and put it aside. It would be so much more relaxing to have several stamped images laid out for that purpose. There are several times where you want to test something out on scrap before applying to the real thing and what a great way to achieve that. I will put this practice into play today!

I have the Whispers ink pad caddy which have smaller stamp pads - not as big as SU full size and not as small as their spots - but the lid works like the spots so you can't squeeze the lid onto the pad for the color - so I have never used them for watercoloring. It hadn't occured to me to stamp them on a transparancy to use for that purpose - so I think that's an awesome tip for beginners and those who have stamped for awhile, too. There's so many techniques that you forget about unless you come across a great tutorial like yours.

Thank you for sharing! I'm adding your blog to my faves and will keep checking back!

I forgot - I would love to know who makes the stamp you used for that tutorial, too - it's so pretty! I love the finished card as well - you're really good at watercoloring :)

Thank you for the feedback
 

The stamp is made by Magenta, it is called Doodle Cone Flower Tile, here is a link to the pdf of part of their catalog.

I want to order some more stamps from them, they have some fantastic stamps, especially if you like to color in the image.

Here is their catalog link, click on the various categories to see the images, I love their "nature" themes....GREAT stamps.

Thanks for the feed back on the tutorial, I actually went back to rubber stamping because of a desire to learn to water color. I am really glad that you found the tutorial informational : ) As a matter of fact, I ended up using the image that was supposed to be "practice" for the card, so I still have a "good image" I can play with.

Your tutorial is great, so easy to follow along, i really need all the help i can get with watercoloring. I will keep practicing.

smallcity

Great tutorial. It was well written and easy to understand. I agree that you tip to stamp several images to practice was a great one. I love the idea to stamp the ink on the transparency. Thanks for sharing.

I tried to post a comment on your blog but it wouldn't let me. Thanks for the link, I forgot about using this technique.

Your comments showed up :) I approve the comments so it takes a little time for them to be made public.

I want to try, maybe, tomorrow, to video the tutorial (lord help us, need to get my nails done first lol)

Might make the video more of a how to water color? Use different "paints?" Not sure yet.

Wonderful tutorial, I have been looking for something like this! Thanks so much!!

This definitely goes on my list. I'd never thought of that. Would it work with regular watercolor brushes as well? Thanks so much for all the information. It was very clear for someone like me who knows nothing about this. Can't wait to try it.

Wow, what a great tutorial! I do believe I've just about learned a new technique! Sorry it took way longer than anticipated; however, the end result is a great step-by-step tutorial that even I can follow. yeah. Thanks so much; this is really great!

One hint to learning how to water color: experiment! I will play with my stamped images and sometimes hate the way they turn out, sometimes I find an easier way of doing something, and so on.

I love to layer color when water coloring, if you use just one color, you can apply the color to the outline of the stamp and spread the color inwards (the color will be lighter and you will get some nice shading). Also try wetting your paper before applying the color and watch what happens (the color will spread and be very soft, fun way to do a background with layers of color), then let that dry, and add another color: wet PART of what you have just painted, and wet a non colored area of the stamp near the first color you laid down....see what happens ; )

Will try to do another video on how to lay down wet on wet color, as well as a few other things I have found while fooling around with water colors.

I have a whole new level of respect for stampers who routinely post tutorials. And of course because I am a glutton for punishment, I had to go and do a video of this technique as well! Needless to say there is much room for improvement on the video, however it at least shows how your image looks when layering colors.

Thank you for letting me know that the tutorial was helpful. Stamping is so much a part of my being and I just love to share and learn from everyone.

Your suggestion is one worth paying attention to! Thanks so much. There's no excuse now for my not sitting down and trying this myself. Thanks again.

FANTASTIC Job! Thanks for that tutorial...I am going to give it a try!

Love your Tutorial
 

Hi ! I just wanted to reiterate what others have so graciously said regarding your tutorial. It is fantastic. I love it. Your steps are so clear and easy to follow. Thanks for taking the time.:)

This is a GREAT tutorial....clear and concise....and using a transparency for your ink is a truly brilliant idea. TFS

I don't know if you call them felt-tips in the USA but if you scribble on acetate with a kids colouring pen and use a tiny bit of water on the end of a paint brush you can get some really great colours.

They have so little pigment that they come out as pastel colours. And you use likea water colour

thanks for the great tips.....i will definately give this a try. elise

Wow, what a great idea! Your tutorial was really well done and it was vey detailed and concise.
Thanks so much!
Deb

This is a great tutorial. Even though I am not a newbie to watercoloring, I learned something. TFS

Thanks for the great tutorial! Being new to stamping, I need all the help and tips I can get. It is alot more than inking a stamp on a pad and then pressing the stamp to paper. This tutorial explains exactly what to do. And with the Hints, it makes it very easy to understand how everything works. I have printed it out and will keep it in my binder of instructions. I love the watercolor effect and have tried it a couple of times, but I still need more practice. Stamping the image several times should keep me from being frustrated and will make it easier to produce a good-looking card.

Thanks again!