Here’s my next post in the series on watercolor crayons! Be sure to click on a photo to see it larger.
In this post I thought I’d show a fun way to use watercolor crayons to make a background. This is a pretty simple technique — easier than the one from yesterday — I haven’t gone wrong yet!
Start off by selecting a bunch of crayons that go well together — I’ve found that this works best with odd numbers of crayons — in this case I used 5 different colors.
Next, scribble all over your watercolor paper — here I just made straight lines, but you can try doing this in plaids, circles, whatever! Alternate colors, and allow some colors to overlap to make new colors.
When you’re done scribbling, wet a watercolor brush and go over your scribbles in the same direction that you made them. 
Be generous with the water– I used a wider brush — a 1/4″ watercolor brush. This way you can get the colors to blend together and make new colors!
Once the background is dry you can stamp on it as usual. I like to use bold stamps like this one to contrast with the background. I also like to use permanent ink just in case there was a damp spot that I didn’t notice — I’m kind of impatient when it comes to waiting for things to dry, ha ha!
You may notice that the stripes look different in this photo — that’s because I decided I liked the blue stripe better on top!
Supplies: Hero Arts real dill (H3258) and watercolor paper (PS439 ). I stamped the real dill using Ancient Page Chocolate ink. Lyra Aquacolor crayons — the numbers are 13047, 13046, 13048, 13070, and 13082. The notecard is by Fabriano — these are handmade — wish you could feel one, they feel really thick and nice. Sewed around the edges. I stamped a thank you saying by Hero Arts on the inside.
Good tutorial. Even I could follow these directions. ;-)
Another great job! The only thing I would add is that if you place complementary colors ( blue/orange, red/green, yellow/purple) right next to each other, sometimes they will make mud (ugly brown color). One tendency I find newcomers to watercolor having is they want to overwork the paint. You did a great job not overworking, so the colors stay fresh looking. As with many things, “less is more”. Thanks again for sharing!
Awesome directions and pictures Lisa !
When can we expect to see Jason’s cards ? ;-)
Barbara
Hi Holly — I was going to add the bit about complimentary colors but I forgot, thanks!!! And thanks for looking!
:-)
Lisa
Lisa, could the heat gun be used to speed the drying or would it be better to let it air dry? Diana
Hi Diana — when I used the heat gun to dry the paper it seemed to make it warp more. You can always flatten it again by putting it under a book, but it doesn’t take THAT long so I usually don’t use the heat gun.
Thanks for the tutorial. You have inspired me to get my crayons out and get busy again.
Thank you, Lisa.
Oh, I am on the brink of ordering Fabriano Notecards and Envies from Dick Blick! I hope I will find many uses for the package as they come 100 to a pack! Eek!
Oh, I like this too. I’m gonna have to try these. :)
Umm…So I do love your tutorials on watercolor crayons, but I think your link is broken. I followed the link for part 3, and it brought me here to part 2 again. I want to see the final instructions!!
Great job though, keep it up.
Thank you for the great tutorials! Part 3 is missing. Clicking on the Part 3 link takes you to Part 2.
What a great site. Have just found you and really like the clean look of your site. Tutorials were wonderful except #3 came up as #2. What a disappointment!
Lovely card. Thank you for the tips.
I’d love to see the images from your watercolor crayon cards, but no pics are showing up with your post here. Maybe the post is now too old or I’m too late? Color me sad. :/
Hi Mary! It’s fixed now, thanks for letting me know! Looks like when I upgraded my blog the photos get zapped — anyhow they’re back! :)
Part 3 is at https://sideoatsandscribbles.wumple.com/2006/02/05/watercolor-crayons-part-3/