I have a monthly video feature, Doodling With Debby, on the Simon Says Stamp blog and I’m sharing here too in case you missed it. Today’s card features a clean and simple, watercoloured butterfly on a delicate white heat embossed background. I’ve linked all supplies at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used.
VIDEO
Watch below or in HD on YouTube.
For this card, I used the Beautiful Day set from Simon Says Stamp which has a lovely array of butterflies to choose from. I decided on the large butterfly from the set as I liked the detail of the lower wings. I placed the butterfly in the Mini Misti with a piece of Arches Cold Pressed watercolour card and stamped the image a couple of times with Antique Linen Distress Ink – my go-to ink for no line watercolouring. I stamped the image sufficiently so I had a guideline to paint but the ink is light in colour, and it’s water reactive properties mean that as I start to paint the lines blended out and disappeared.
My aim with the first layer of paint was to create a light but colourful base to add darker edge details later on. I used Daniel Smith Phthalo Blue Green Shade which is a lovely bright blue and then added in just the faintest hint of Daniel Smith Quinacridone Rose for some pink highlights. For the darker edges to the butterfly wings, I used Daniel Smith Indigo and mixed a strong enough concentration of paint so that it covered the underlayer but so that some of the original tones still shone through. That’s one of the features of watercolour I love, that when adding more layers, the transparency of the paint allows the lower layers to still play an active part.
I used the lines left from stamping to determine the pattern that I painted with the darker Indigo colour although I did use some artistic licence here and there. The original butterfly image had a more graphic feel to it, and I wanted to soften it somewhat for a more elegant look. That’s the great thing about no line watercolouring, the original artwork is a guideline and base for painting, but you don’t have to stick to it rigidly.
For the body of the butterfly, I used Payne’s Gray and dropped in a little Phthalo Blue Green Shade while it was still wet for colour variation. I then mixed up a thick concentration of White Gouache and added details to the body. Gouache is an opaque watercolour paint, and so even though I’m using white, this will still show up on the darker colour of the body. I die cut the piece with a Nested Circle die and then set aside while I worked on the background.
I used the stunning Bohemian Lace cling background stamp on a piece Fog card as I thought the subtle, elegant pattern would complement the butterfly. I stamped it in Clear Embossing Ink and then sprinkled with White Embossing Powder before heat setting and trimming slightly to fit a 5-inch square card base. I adhered the butterfly circle on top with foam adhesive.
For the sentiment, I painted a strip of card with Quinacridone Rose and then stamped a coordinating sentiment from the Beautiful Day set in Clear Embossing Ink and White Heat Embossed before trimming to a skinny banner and adhering over the butterfly with more foam adhesive. Finally, I added a trio of Sweet 16 and Crystal Reflections sequins to accent.
SUPPLIES
You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or shop icon to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read my affiliate and product disclosure here. I genuinely appreciate your support.
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PIN ME
Summary of the project which gives all the views of the card in one photo :D I’d love if you pinned and called by on Pinterest :D
This butterfly is just gorgeous Debby and the background is so elegant. Beautiful job water colouring as usual.
Debby I absolutely love the butterfly but on the white embossed background pattern it is ‘pops’ and makes the butterfly go from amazing to stunning! Thank you for sharing this with us crafters. :O)
I totally love that Bohemian Lace stamp! I tried to replicate your card, but I need to work on my watercoloring skills! I love your work!
Gorgeous butterfly and I love the background! Beautiful card!
This card is beautiful! I always love the look of watercolor but have been hesitant to try it myself. After watching your video I think I may give it a shot although I think I will leave the lines in place to start LOL. Thanks for the inspiration!