Crafts by Carolyn - Stamping - using watercolour paints

Introduction to Rubber Stamping - using watercolour paints
Once you have mastered the art of stamping there are loads of different places that have advanced techniques, I love to view the Hero Arts blog and they often have videos. Tweet The stamping section on the forum has lots of advice on techniques: rubber stamping forum
Following on from the previous pages using water colour pencils, we are moving on to using paints. Watercolour paints If I am not using my watercolour pencils, then I will use paints. I have some normal paints and also some 'sparkly' paints. Here are the types of sparkle paints that I use, the set were just from 'The Works', the others are twinkling H2Os, and also some cosmic shimmer powders that can be mixed with water. I also use felt pens and just scribble the ink onto a mixing pallette something like: acetate, with white paper underneath CD A white plate or tile Are ideal to use with any of your paint choices, you don't need to buy something special. You can also use stamp pads - any water based ones are good, Ranger Distress inks are perfect for this, just wipe onto acetate (as mentioned above), or maybe if you have a non stick sheet. You can mix and match all of these sources and you will probably already have a good colour pallette available without too much investment. I would give any felt pens or paints that you have around a go - maybe even some kids paints and see how it goes.
		So I use the same water receptacle as mentioned before - I have found that plastic cups are easy to knock over...and find the little tiny glass jars that you get jam in are nice and steady and squat and perfect for your brush, and you really won't need much water. You may want a couple handy when using paints to try and keep your brush as clean as possible. And you need to start the same: stamp your image in either a waterproof ink such as Ranger archival, there are lots out there just read the instructions on the pad. Or emboss your image - this really keeps any wet paint within the image, and so easy to keep within the lines, see here for some ideas. Work with clean scrap paper under your work area Jar of clean water (2) Paper towel Paint brush or water reservoir brushes Water and H2Os These paints seem to be used in a couple of ways, I just put a few of drops of water onto the surface and start mixing the water and the paint, and transfer this onto my mixing pallette, or I will start brushing straight onto my image. By adding more water onto the pallette it will give a lighter effect, than brushing directly onto the image from the pot. Again I will not go too mad with the water, and will add a little at a time. You can make areas darker by adding more paint, or using less water with the paint. In various guidance I have seen, it is suggested that you give the paint pots a spritz of water and then leave for a while and the hard colour will turn to a thick paint, but I can never be bothered to do it that way, and this works for me!
This image was embossed and is a good way to use water colours, it is so easy to keep within the lines. All of the images on this page are in the sparkle paints, but the camera just hasn't picked up the sparkle. It gives a lovely soft shiny effect. You can see more on the White embossing page.
	If you keep the water to a minimum you can even use digitally printed images, just do not wet the lines too much otherwise they may run and ruin your project.
	<-- Here is my little paint pallette, it is old and I have no idea what it is - but it works fine. And these are the type of pens I have, just scribble some ink onto a shiny surface, and then wet your brush and pick up some of the ink, give any pen a go -->