How to Make Ombre Effect Watercolor Cards

A month or so ago, I asked my readers what kinds of crafts they would like to see more of, and the resounding answer was “letter-writing posts” and “card-making”. This actually made me breathe a sigh of relief because if you had asked for guides on handspinning fibers, I would have been lost. So, thank you. Now that we’re on the same page, I thought I’d share this simple watercolor card I made recently. This is the perfect project for the novice water-colorist because it involves very little technique (if any at all.) Can you paint a line? You can? Well, you have the skill it takes to make this project!

I made a watercolor leaf card last fall, so I suppose this is the summer version of that project. Whereas that card’s design was more structured, this one is all about the soft patterns and lines of summer.

How to Make Ombre Effect Watercolor Cards

You will need:

Watercolor card stock (or thick card stock that can withstand paint)
Watercolors
Paint brush
Water in a cup

I like to start off by loading my brush with a lot of water and paint and mixing it in the palette portion of the paint box. I add water and paint until I have about a quarter-sized amount, and then start painting. This allows me to paint faster, but you do what works for you.

For the blue card, I painted lines in a pattern. You could also paint lines straight across the card. As the watercolors run out, you will create an ombre effect: the paint will start off dark and end light.

For the red card, I painted half circles. I didn’t realize until I was finished that my design looks like repeating smiley faces (with the eyes closed); somehow that seems fitting for summer! You could also experiment with filled-in polka dots. There is just something about the symmetry of a repeating design that looks so lovely on a card. Make a few of these and stash them in your purse in a letter-writing kit. As you have time, you can pull out a card and write a quick note to someone. This is definitely something to bring along to places like doctor’s appointments and when you’re waiting for the oil in your car to be changed.

P.S. If you like this project, you’re going to love my new resource, The {10 Minute} Letter-writing Retreat Bundle. It’s packed with prompts, tutorials (like this one!), and printable stationery. Learn more here.

Hope you have a lovely {and creative} day!