Watercoloring with Dye Inks

No watercolor paints? No problem. Paint with Dye Inks instead!

Did you know you can watercolor an image without actual watercolor paints? Yep! Just dab a bit of your dye ink on a slick surface, spritz with water, and paint! I used the wet-on-wet technique taught in the Altenew class, Creative Watercolor Media, to let the colors in my peony background flow more organically. 

Step 1: Using watercolor paper (this is 140 lb cold pressed), stamp your images with embossing ink. When using clear ink and clear powder, ink up one or two images at a time and heat set. The images will be easier to see once heat set them , allowing you to decide where to stamp the next image.

Step 2: Next, wet the paper with water, using a fine mister bottle. 

Step 3: Place a dab of your lightest dye ink color (Frosty Pink) on a slick surface and sprtiz with water. Mix the ink and water together with your brush and you're read to paint!

Step 4: Pick up some watery ink on your brush and tap it down gently on the wet paper. You'll see the ink fan out when it comes in contact with the water! Allow this area to dry some (or use a heat tool), before applying your next layer.  Continue painting, using your next darkest color (Coral Berry). Apply the darkest color, Grapevine, towards the center. I added some other colors, such as Pink Sand and Pinkalicious, to give the petals more dimension. Paint on as many layers as you'd like until you achieve the depth your are looking for. Be patient, it's not a quick process. 

Step 5: Use shades of green to paint the leaves, starting with Firefly and working darker as you add layers. My darkest color was Forest Fern, but I also mixed some with a lighter color to get a medium tone.  You may choose to leave the background color white or paint with shades of Sea Breeze and Tide Blue using the same wet on wet technique.

Step 6: To finish off the card, splatter with white and allow to dry. I stamped a sentiment "hello" and adhered it to the center of the flower. The diecut Arched French Doors opens like a window. A dark grey (Specturm Triblend Ice Grey) allows the frame to stand out on the floral background. I also inked the edges of the paper with a gray ink (Stormy Sky) using a direct to paper application. 

Want to see the process in action or learn other ways to "watercolor" using media such as shimmer spray or reinkers?  Check out the class Creative Watercolor Media at Altenew Academy. This class has lessons taught by three great artists. 

TIPS:

• Breathe and let go of the control you normally might have when painting. Wet on wet is a more loose application technique. The embossed lines will usually keep the paint contained. 
• If paint flows beyond where you'd like or is too wet, dab with a paper towel. 
• It is suggested to use a lower quality watercolor brush when painting with inks. 
• Apply dark colors towards the center and along lines where petals touch or overlap, to create shadows.
• Use a smaller brush to flick some lines from the center outward for the final details. 
• Don't like how your center turns out? Add the sentiment right over it! No one knows!

Supplies from Altenew:

•  Pristine Peonies Build A Garden stamp set
•  clear embossing ink and powder
• 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper
• Alluring Orchids sentiment "hello"
• Fresh Dye Inks: Frosty Pink, Pink Sand, Coral Berry, Grapevine, Pinkalicious, Firefly, Shadow Creek, Forest Fern, Eucalyptus, Sea Breeze, Tide Blue

Other supplies:

• Spellbinders Arched French Doors die
• Spellbinders Splatter White
• Specturm Noir Triblend marker in Ice Grey (darkest shade IG9)
• Gina K Stormy Sky ink
• Art Glitter liquid adhesive