Fun summer art activity: Watercolor Ombre Postcards
July 29, 2014 2023-05-09 17:38Fun summer art activity: Watercolor Ombre Postcards
![IMG_8559](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8559-1-e1683679119392.jpg)
Fun summer art activity: Watercolor Ombre Postcards
![Watercolor ombre postcards](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8572.jpg)
Summer is a great time to have fun with small postcards and watercolor. Here these watercolor ombre postcards are painted with one color and multiple layers to get an ombre effect.
This is an easy painting activity and you can try it with your kids. You won’t need much supplies and watercolor paint is easy to wash off:)
![supplies watercolor brushes and markers](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8496.jpg)
To make 4 Watercolor Ombre Postcards, you will need:
- Watercolor paint in your color of choice, I used a mix of pyrrol red and Phtalocyanine blue, red shade by Graham watercolors
- Watercolor paper cut to postcard size or ready to paint watercolor postcards
- Masking fluid if you want to try the one with the white or orange outline, Iused the Fineline Masquepen.
- Markers
- Pencil, eraser, brushes
Here is how you can paint the Watercolor Ombre postcards
![Start by mixing the color you want to use](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8504.jpg)
Start by mixing the color you want to use, here I just added a bit of blue to a bright red for a bluish pink shade.
![Add water to your mix so you get a rather light wash. You don't want it too dark as you are going to paint many layers.](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8506.jpg)
Add water to your mix so you get a rather light wash. You don’t want it too dark as you are going to paint many layers.
I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.
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Yarka St. Petersburg Professional Watercolor PansSame palette of traditional colors the great masters used a century ago. Liquid-poured means semi-moist pans respond instantly to a wet brush. 24 pans in plastic case. Also individual pans. – Master Set |
![Draw the outline of your design, you can use pencil,](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8525.jpg)
Draw the outline of your design, you can use graphite
![you can use colored pencils to draw the outline of the flowers](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8498.jpg)
Or colored pencil.
![drawing simple concentric circles with colored pencils](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8510.jpg)
I did draw 3 peonies and a simple concentric circles design.
![Paint your first wash all over the card with a light to medium wash.](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8507.jpg)
Paint your first wash all over the card with a light to medium wash.
![Let it dry, then paint your second wash everywhere except on the most outside row of petals .](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8531.jpg)
Let it dry, then paint your second wash everywhere except on the most outside row of petals .
![watercolor postcard](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8541.jpg)
![make your own postcards](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8574.jpg)
![draw with a marker on top of flower](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8555.jpg)
Then you can add designs of your choice.Here I just outlines the petals with markers.
On this one I added some lines to give more dimension to the flower.
![watercolor ombre postcard diy](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8559.jpg)
I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.
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Sakura Pigma Micron PenPigma Micron pens are acid-free and archival, making them ideal for any application requiring precision and permanance. Pigma ink is derived from a single pigment to ensure color consistency, and is fadeproof against sunlight or UV light. – Set of 6, Black |
![drawing with marker on top of watercolor](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8564.jpg)
And on the one with circle I added some designs that were a bit more elaborated.
![elaborate ink patterns for flower](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8565.jpg)
![make your own postcards](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8570.jpg)
Variation with masking fluid
![applying a thin line of masking fluid](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8545.jpg)
Instead of just drawing the outline of your design, you can apply a thin line of masking fluid on top before painting.
![painting a wash over masking fluid](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8535.jpg)
As previously, layer washes starting by the outside of the flower and making your way towards the center
I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.
![]() |
Daler-Rowney Masking FluidThis fluid is used to create striking white highlights or to mask areas for overpainting at a later stage. It forms a fast-drying, water-resistant film on watercolor paper and board, and is easily removed when dry. |
![once dry, remove the masking fluid](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8543.jpg)
Let dry and remove the masking fluid
![flower watercolor painting with masking fluid](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8544.jpg)
You can leave the design as it is,
![adding patterns around the masking fluid](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8579.jpg)
or add designs with a marker.
![marker ti fill out white masking fluid space](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8584.jpg)
and color the white outline.
![make your own postcards fun summer art activity](https://paintingdemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_8589.jpg)
Comments (16)
stefran44955400
Great tutorial. Thank you.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Stefran 🙂
Fun painting activity : make your own watercolor postcards
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Véronique Emerand
Nice technique very well explained, thanks!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Véronique, I am glad you liked this post 🙂
Saundra
I love watercolor with fine black markers…your cards are beautiful and your tutorial was good….so I am going to give it a go! Right now all I seem to do is copy other peoples work, not confident in my originality yet….but I try to paint a little everyday….where is my muse???
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Saundra, I think you are on the right track if you try to paint and draw everyday, if you keep going you muse will find you 🙂
Tracy Evans
Lovely technique, I love using drawing gum for same idea. Love your flower. Tracy x
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Tracy!
elenor
Thanks for sharing this great picture tutorial. You made it look so easy so I might give it a try. Of course I know only practice will make it looking as nice as yours.
Kind regards from the EU.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Elenor !
Let me know how your postcards will turn out 🙂
Diane Getson Olive
Great tutorial! Looks like fun with very few supplies and lots of creativity.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Diane 🙂 Feel free to share pictures here if you try them.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Diane!
Diane O
These are wonderful! Thank you for the tutorial. I love the combo of watercolor wash and ink. Your embellishments really make these special. Beautiful!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Diane!