Layered Stencil Watercolour Card with Blended Inks

A project from our live show MY PODCAST - Catch my latest updates broadcast 24th February 2025 · 24/02/2025 · watch it from 26:00

Create an artistic, multi-layered stencilled card using watercolour card stock and blended ink pads. The technique involves layering five numbered stencils with water spraying between layers to create a soft, watercolour effect that looks like a professional piece of artwork.

You will need

A5 Stencil & Die - Set Me Free - 250423DSEE IT Stamps By Me - Marbled Elegance Paper Pad - 310724ASEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Gather your watercolour card stock and locate your numbered stencil set (numbered 1 through 5). ▶ watch 27:15
2. Line up stencil number 1 at the edge of your watercolour card, ensuring it is positioned straight. ▶ watch 29:00
3. Select a pale pink ink pad and use a blending brush to apply colour through the stencil, adding darker tones to the edges for definition. ▶ watch 30:15
4. Spray the inked stencil lightly with water from a spray bottle to allow the ink to bleed and disperse naturally. ▶ watch 34:00
5. Blot away excess water with tissue to prevent flooding, then dry the layer with a heat gun. ▶ watch 34:45
6. Align stencil number 2 at the edge and apply purple ink using a fresh blending brush, building colour depth. ▶ watch 36:00
7. Spray this layer lightly with water and allow the ink to disperse, then dry with your heat gun. ▶ watch 37:00
8. Position stencil number 3 and apply teal ink with a blending brush, adding more dimension to your design. ▶ watch 39:00
9. Spray this layer with water and dry it completely before moving to the next stencil. ▶ watch 40:00
10. Apply stencil number 4 with green ink to add leaf detail in the centre of your design. ▶ watch 41:45
11. Apply stencil number 5 with teal ink in the very centre to add final detail and bring focus to the middle. ▶ watch 42:45
12. Flick water onto the final layer with your hand rather than spraying to create a more controlled, less saturated effect. ▶ watch 45:30
13. Trim your finished stencilled piece to your desired card size and mount onto a contrasting card base if desired. ▶ watch 46:30
14. Stamp a sentiment or image onto the card using black ink to complete your design. ▶ watch 47:30

Tips from the show

• Follow the numbered stencil system in order to avoid going wrong with your layering.
• You do not have to spray every single layer; you can skip spraying some layers if you wish to retain more detail.
• If you lose detail during the process, you can go back and use an earlier stencil layer to bring the detail back.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly