Using repetition of gouache skin tone swatches to create a handmade card. Tutorial by Debby Hughes using supplies from Simon Says Stamp #gouache #homemade

I was recently following along with a tutorial from Emma Block about mixing skin tones. I mixed a range of different colours and swatched them into my sketchbook. Over time, I kept coming back to that page in my sketchbook because I liked the rows of little blocks of colour and of course the symbolism, which in turn led to this card. I’ve linked all supplies with compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.

SIMON SAYS STAMP SEPTEMBER CARD KIT

Before I get onto the details of my card, here’s the September Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp.

* SSS September 2020 Card Kit
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* SSS JUST MISS YOU
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* SSS SENDING SMILES WORD AND SHADOW…
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* American Crafts Vicki Boutin Let’s…
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* American Crafts Vicki Boutin Let’s…
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* SSS SMILES Sequins
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* JEWEL PICKER Tool
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* SSS DOLL PINK Card
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* SSS SUNSHINE Card
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* SSS PEACOCK Card
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* SSS ROYAL PURPLE Card
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Neenah Classic Crest 110 LB SMOOTH…
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* SSS 4 Bar KRAFT Envelopes
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* SSS WHITE Envelopes
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I love the Just Miss You set with all the lovely sentiments and I’m pleased to see the Vicki Boutin papers and mini envelopes too, they should be fun!

STRONGER TOGETHER

Using repetition of gouache skin tone swatches to create a handmade card. Tutorial by Debby Hughes using supplies from Simon Says Stamp #gouache #homemade

KEY INGREDIENTS

STEP BY STEP HOW TO

Using repetition of gouache skin tone swatches to create a handmade card. Tutorial by Debby Hughes using supplies from Simon Says Stamp #gouache #homemade

TAKEAWAYS

Using repetition of gouache skin tone swatches to create a handmade card. Tutorial by Debby Hughes using supplies from Simon Says Stamp #gouache #homemade

I think what drew me to the swatches in my sketchbook was not only the symbolism but the repetition of little blocks of colour. Repetition is a great design tool to use and something I try and include in my projects be it the repetition of colour or shape. It doesn’t have to be as uniform as these swatches are, it could be that you use three patches of red in a card that draw the eye around the key elements. Or it could be that you use a leaf shape and repeat that leaf several times throughout.

This card was quick to make, the time-consuming part was the design making and colour mixing. Once I knew what I wanted to do, the process was quick and simple. When I’m making a card I often start and then decide how things will be as I go along. I think I need to plan designs out more. I’m a great believer in planners and to-do lists etc so I’m hoping this will come naturally to me. Kristina Werner has a couple of videos of how she plans out card designs and I think I’ll try and do the same for the next release.

Talking of which, it’s not long until STAMPtember! If you are new around here, STAMPtember is a month-long party held by Simon Says Stamp throughout September. I’m not sure what this year will hold, but in previous years the month was filled with new releases, collaborations, blog hops, giveaways, limited edition kits and so much more. I can’t wait to see what this STAMPtember holds for us! I’ll be keeping you updated as much as I can throughout the month here on my blog.

FURTHER EXAMPLES

Easy watercolour background a soft subtle blues and greens grid of circles. Handmade card by Debby Hughes using supplies from Simon Says Stamp #handmade #homemade #watercolor

Here’s another example of using repetition, this time using Winsor & Newton masking fluid to create patterns on watercolour circles as a backdrop to the leaf from the Be Kind set. You can find the original post here.

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. Thank you! Items marked with an asterisk (*) provided by a store or the manufacturer. You can read my affiliate and product disclosure here. I genuinely appreciate your support.

* SSS STRONGER TOGETHER
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Winsor Newton PERMANENT WHITE GOUACHE
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American Crafts Paper Fashion SET 1…
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Fabriano WATERCOLOR PAPER 5×7 BLOCK…
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Tonic BUBBLEGUM BLUSH GLOSS Nuvo…
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Tonic DARK WALNUT Nuvo Crystal Drops
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Little Things From Lucy’s Cards…
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* SSS IVORY Card
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SSS FOG Card
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Tsukineko VersaFine ONYX BLACK Ink
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* Hero Arts Misti at Simon Says STAMP
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* Hero Arts MISTI MINI BLACK
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Hero Arts MISTI MINI MOUSE PAD
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* Hero Arts MISTI BAR MAGNATE Black
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3M DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE
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SSS SMALL TEFLON BONE FOLDER
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Gina K Designs CONNECT GLUE
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Tim Holtz Tonic GLASS MEDIA MAT
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Tim Holtz Tonic GUILLOTINE
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Scor-Pal Mini Scoring Board
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EK Success CUTTER BEE Scissors
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TWEEZERS
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T SQUARE RULER
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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

Using repetition of gouache skin tone swatches to create a handmade card. Tutorial by Debby Hughes using supplies from Simon Says Stamp #gouache #homemade

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