Stencils are an under-utilised and inexpensive supply that we often overlook. For example, with these Acorns And Leaves stencils, when the outline is traced with a pencil, it gives a great starting point for clean and simple watercolouring. The pencil outline is just as good as a stamped outline, yet the cost of the stencils is significantly reduced compared to a stamp set. 

I’ve linked all supplies with compensated affiliate links used where possible at no cost to you.

using stencil outlines for clean and simple watercolouring

I cut a piece of watercolour card to be as wide as an A2 card base in landscape mode but not quite as tall. I then used a ruler to measure the middle of the card and, using a pencil, drew around the edges of the stencil with the first leaf. I then drew two more leaves, one on either side and aligned them equidistant from the centre leaf. 

I Googled ‘autumn leaves’ and then based my painting on these images. I used a combination of Daniel Smith watercolours and white gouache for highlights.

I added light shadows around the laves, a splatter of paint and then mounted the panel on a Desert Storm card base.

For the sentiment, I used the Let’s Celebrate set and stamped the greeting in Versamark ink on Black Card before white heat embossing. I trimmed the sentiment and mounted it with foam tape. To finish, I accented it with enamel dots – I’m still working my way through my stash of dots!

stencils are under-utilised and inexpensive

I couldn’t resist creating a second card with the wee acorn in the stencil set. A great way to use a small image such as this acorn is to use repetition; I created a three-by-five grid and drew the acorn outline with a pencil. A good, accurate base is important when using repetition. You want all your lines perfectly straight.

Again, I painted using Daniel Smith watercolours and white gouache. I also used my favourite Dark Sepia Faber Castell Polychromo pencil to add more depth to the shadows.

I finished this card the same way as my first card:  a splatter of left-over paint, a greeting from the Let’s Celebrate set and a sprinkling of enamel dots.

Well, that’s me for today. I will be back soon because I have been playing with the Tim Holtz Distress Watercolour Pencils and can’t wait to share! Here’s a  little peek at the swatch I made for the three sets of pencils. 

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.