Using stencil outlines for clean & simple watercolouring  - handmade card by Debby Hughes

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

Using stencil outlines for clean & simple watercolouring  - handmade card by Debby Hughes

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. 

Using stencil outlines for clean & simple watercolouring  - handmade card by Debby Hughes

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.

Using stencil outlines for clean & simple watercolouring  - handmade card by Debby Hughes

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

Using stencil outlines for clean & simple watercolouring  - handmade card by Debby Hughes

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.

Using stencil outlines for clean & simple watercolouring  - handmade card by Debby Hughes

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.

Using stencil outlines for clean & simple watercolouring  - handmade card by Debby Hughes

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. 

Swatch of the new Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Pencil Sets

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 Stencils ACORNS AND LEAVES
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* SSS LET'S CELEBRATE
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Daniel Smith at SSS
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Faber Castell Polychromos
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Fabriano Cold-Pressed at SSS
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White Gouache at SSS
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Neenah Desert Storm 100lb Card
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* SSS BLACK Card
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Tsukineko Versamark EMBOSS INK PAD
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SSS White Embossing Powder
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misti at Simon Says STAMP!
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Tim Holtz Tonic GLASS MEDIA MAT
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Dahle Self-Healing Cutting 9x12 Mat
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Tim Holtz Tonic GUILLOTINE
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METAL EDGE ACRYLIC RULER
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Crafter's Companion CRAFT KNIFE
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T SQUARE RULER
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Scor-Pal Mini Scoring Board
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SSS SMALL TEFLON BONE FOLDER
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* Tim Holtz MINI SNIPS Scissors
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* SSS FINE DETAIL SCISSORS
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Fiskars SPRING-ASSIST SCISSORS Micro-tip
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TWEEZERS
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3M DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE
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* SSS Perfect WHITE FOAM TAPE
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Gina K Designs CONNECT GLUE
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Precision Heat Embossing Tool Gun
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Ranger ANTI STATIC POUCH
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SSS Embossing Powder Storage
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