Watercolor Bleed

Create a soft, impressionist coloring style with an embossed image, reinkers and a water mister

Supplies

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Ink an open line image stamp with Versamark on watercolor paper. Add embossing powder, tap off excess and heat with heat gun until the embossing powder is melted.

   

2. Step 2

   Generously spray embossed image with Mini Mister filled with water.
   
   Tip:
   Spray image with enough water for the ink to spread on, but not so much that it pools heavily.

   

3. Step 3

   Add a drop of reinker to a stamp pad lid or palette and pick up some of your lightest color of reinker in a waterbrush.
   
   Paint the reinker onto the embossed image. Allow the ink to pool and spread.
   
   The longer the ink sits, the more it stains the paper. If desired, spray more water onto image for increased ink bleed.

   

4. Step 4

   Pick up the next darker shade of reinker and paint onto image as desired. Add more water as needed.

   

5. Step 5

   Blot excess ink and water with a paper towel, patting down gently.

   

6. 

7. Step 6

   Repeat technique with additional colors.

   

8. Step 7

   Spay, add additional color and blot as desired until you have achieved the look you want.

   

9. 

10. Step 8

    Allow image to dry completely. Once dry, you can flatten the watercolor paper if it has curled. Finish card as desired.
    
    Hint:
    Complementary colors will achieve the best look as the colors bleed together. Contrasting colors create a muddy look as they bleed. Experiment with different colors of reinkers as they will bleed and stain in different tones and hues on watercolor paper.
    
    

    

Video!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Watercolor Bleed. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

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