The Creative Process - Wet Watercolor Bleed

Hi Friends!  I'm back for another round of The Creative Process - my Monday opportunity to share with you aspects of how my creativity comes out.  Today I thought I'd try something new with you, so we're learning together  :)  !

Normally when I watercolor (which I'll show to you another Monday) I use a pretty dry/damp brush and move my color gradually.  Some people use a much more wet brush and allow the color to bleed.  I've never had a lot of success with this technique, but I thought today I'd exaggerate the style into a bit of a technique, so I'll call it Wet Watercolor Bleed.

I began with an embossed image, this time the gorgeous Cherry Blossoms from Flourishes that I love so much!   I knew I wanted an Asian style design so I chose a light pink and deep pink color of reinkers. 

Once you have your image ready, you want to spritz it heavily with water.  I used my new and AWESOME Mini Misters made by Ranger from Flourishes, looks like they are out of stock right now but I'm sure they'll be back again.  I was SO excited when I saw them!  They are just perfect for crafting.  You can also see in the picture below that I have my dots of reinkers ready for coloring in the lid. 

I begin by taking the lighter color (Pretty in Pink) and picking up some of the color with my waterbrush.  And adding it to my wet paper, the color will puddle and move around a bit, and bleed over the edges.  This is good :)

Then I take my darker pink (Melon Mambo) and pick up some color with my waterbrush and add it into the centers and tiny blossoms of the flowers.  Where you would find the deepest concentration of color.

I wasn't getting enough bleed so I spritzed the image again to make the water-spread even more exaggerated. 

The longer you let the color sit, the more it will *stain* into the paper.  I didn't want the color to sit too long so then I took a small square of folded paper towel and set it over-top of the image and allowed it to soak up some excess color and moisture. 

I still wanted more bleed and for my color to extend beyond the image so I spritzed it again and then used my wet waterbrush to spread around some of the color.  It takes on a lovely impressionistic look.

At this point you can dab it off again with a paper towel or add more color, or even different colors.  I would suggest staying with complimentary colors because if contrasting colors bleed into each other you'll just get mud color which is not what you want. 

You could create a gorgeous background like this as well.  The color can have a mind of it's own as you spread it out too.  Let your image dry before creating your card. 

Here's the finished card.  As I said I wanted to create an Asian Style, which I knew this image would work for.  I added some extra texture to the already textured paper, by adding the strips embossed with the Herringbone Cuttlebug folder.  I've added some silk ribbon and gold brads to accent the embossing. 

Here's a closeup....

So a bit of an experiment but I like the effect...it's soft and yet it has a real pop to the design, and really lends itself to an Asian feel. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you try something out like this too!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Cherry Blossoms;  Ink:  VersaMark;  Paper:  Melon Mambo Textured, Soft Suede Textured, Pretty in Pink, Floruishes European Watercolor paper;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Herringbone Cuttlebug Folder, Ranger Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Reinkers, Ranger Mini Misters, Waterbrush, Paper towel, Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Silk Ribbon (Rose from Flourishes), Glue Dots,  Bow Easy, Gold Brads.

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The Creative Process - Wet Watercolor Bleed