Donna T Crafting: AECP Level 3 Botanical Illustration Inspired Watercolor

When I was picking my final classes, this class was something that I really wanted to take, but really scared me. I’ve never been a painter other than slapping on some paint and maybe a tiny bit of blending. I think some of that comes from the fact that I get too impatient to spend the time with making the beautiful pieces that the excellent watercolor painters make.

But the instructor, Jaycee Gaspar, is such an inspiring artist, I decided to give this a try. I would highly recommend this class as he starts from the beginning with techniques and works you through botanical illustrations.

My final project is something I really like. I don’t think it is perfect, but it showed me that I could make flowers look more realistic. And with practice, I am sure I can get better. It also showed me that I can slow down and really spend some time in painting and can find it very relaxing.

But enough about me. In today’s blog, I won’t be telling you a lot of techniques but going through some of the tips I learned to help me not be so scared next time.

I started today with the Altenew Watercolor Paper Set – 5x7 and stamped the Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Feathered Lilies using Altenew Crisp Dye Ink – Morning Frost . I used this ink as it is a light gray and would give me a no-line look in the end.

After stamping this, I took the panel and I used a low-tack tape to adhere to an acrylic clipboard. I taped almost completely around, only skipping where the stamped image was close to the edge. In the class, Jaycee recommended stapling to a wood board (with plenty of space to cut out when done). Securing this will help to keep your paper from warping.

I like the acrylic clipboard as it is easy to move around while painting. It is also what I had available and my panel was flat when done.

I used the Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set and the Altenew Fine Watercolor Brushes for my painting. I swatched out each coloring. In the class it was recommended to swatch each color combination if mixed, but I only did that for the ones I was using today.

I found today’s watercoloring relaxing. My petals are similar to the flower I had, but I do know they are different in some ways as well. I had bought the flowers and let them sit for a couple of days. Some of the brown from the stamen had transferred to the petals and I did not want that in my petals on my project.

I also found that when I asked my 2 daughters, they saw different primary colors than what I saw. So, I do believe that some of this is based on who is looking at the flower and the project. Overall, I do feel that I was able to mix some primary colors of the flower and leaves and come up with a better painting than I have ever done. And honestly, nobody is going to compare my card to the exact flower I had......so I am pleased that my card looks a little realistic.

I did set the painting aside for a few days and did a little touch-up after that.

My next question was, should I die cut this out or should I paint around it or just leave it and cut it down. I ended up die cutting. Then I took a card base (5” x 6.5”) and added violet and pink passion splatter over it. After that dried, I attached the flower image on foam tape.

I picked the Hugs sentiment from the Altenew Versatile Greetings Die Set . I picked out several pieces from my scrap pile to find which color I wanted to used for the hugs sentiment and the shadow.

I adhered this on foam and added a few jewels.

I am very happy with this card. And I will be trying some more watercoloring. I will just make sure that I have plenty of time so that I can enjoy the process and the relaxing aspects of watercoloring.

Happy Crafting.

Donna T.

Products Used:

Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Feathered Lilies

Altenew Versatile Greetings Die Set

Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set

Altenew Fine Watercolor Brushes

Altenew Crisp Dye Ink – Morning Frost

Altenew Instant Dimension Foam Tape

Altenew Watercolor Paper Set – 5x7

5 x 6.5 White Card base

Colored cardstock from stash