3 ways to Make Watercolor Paper Leaves

 I started out as a Watercolor Artist. I loved learning to create layers of glazes.

 

But when I found stamping and inks....I was hooked.

 

This is a tutorial using 3 different ways to use the new Watercolor Paper from Ranger. I hope you find at least one way you like.

 

I loved them all. 

 

 

 This is how I added the 3 different leaves to votive candles I found on vacation.
 

  

I start by stamping the Maple leaf from Tim Holtz Autumn Blueprint set onto the smooth side of the paper with Jet Black Archival Ink. Then I colored in with Distress Pens starting with Ripe Persimmon
 

 Next I sprayed the paper lightly with water and started adding other colors...such as Fired Brick, Rusty Hinge and Tea Dye. The water lets them blend.

I kept adding color and dried with a heat tool, then cut out the leaf when I liked the colors. I added a dotted background stamp with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

This is like an embossing ink, so you can add Gold UTEE to emboss. The gold shows up well on the Redish Orange leaf. Some of the spots did not take the UTEE and remain just dots...that's perfect!

 

The Old Paper Distress Marker adds some shadow.

 

Last I added Vintage Photo Distress Marker to the edges of the leaf.

 

One down - two to go!

 

 

This Oak Leaf was stamped onto the Rough side of the paper with Black Soot Distress Ink and embossed with Super Fine Black Embossing Powder.

Then the easy part.....using 3 colors of Distress Stains, Ripe Persimmon, Fired Brick and Wild Honey....I swiped them across the leaf.

 

 

 I added shadows and accents with the Pumice Stone Distress Marker.
 

Cut it out leaving a slight border, then edge with the Vintage Photo Marker.

 

 Stamp with the dotted background and Iced Spruce Distress Ink......then add Bronze UTEE. Heat the embossing powder and see the wonderful effects.

 

This is the result of the 2nd leaf. Pretty cool! See how some dots have UTEE and some don't.

 

Now the last one is stamped and embossed like leaf #2. Then I added Dylusions sprays...Lemon Zest, Squeezed Orange, Pure Sunshine, and Fresh Lime. 
 

 

This wasn't enough saturated color for me, so I started adding Distress Markers...Mowed Grass and Ripe Persimmon. Next I lightly spray the paper with water.

 

 

Then I add Mowed Grass Distress Ink to my craft sheet and add more color with a brush.

 

 

Cut out the leaf and add the Vintage Photo Distress Marker. Stamp with the background stamp and Walnut Distress Ink.

 

Add the Gold UTEE and heat emboss.



 

Here are your 3 different leaves!

I found 3 gorgeous votive candles when I was on vacation with silver mirror paint inside. They have a real iridescent quality to them. I'll use the battery candles in these holders.

 

Add a piece of Tissue Tape around the middle of each holder.

 

Then take 3 Vintage Newspaper Words and layer them onto black Chipboard. Wind gold and copper wire around a pen to create 3 accents.

Use black foam squares to add the leaves and words to the votive.

 

 I used Mini Pumpkins to lay out on my coffee table.

 

 The wire is glued in between 2 small foam squares to keep it steady.

 

 

The UTEE is like the little spots I found on the millions of Oak Leaves that we had in our yard when I was a kid.

 

Leaves always remind me of my home as a child. I like the way these turned out!

 

Click on the links to Inspiration Emporium and Retro Cafe Art Gallery for your supplies and accessories.

 

Linda