Stag Watercolour Scene Card with Stencil and Stamps

A project from our live show Stamps By Me - Celebration Box - Cotton Pines Class 4 · 28/09/2023 · watch it from 0:45

Create a layered watercolour card featuring a stag stencil with tree stamps creating a forest scene. The design uses ink blending, water spraying and sparkle effects to produce a beautiful landscape with a muted, artistic finish.

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Step by step

1. Take your watercolour card and position the stag stencil at the bottom. Apply teal ink very lightly through the stencil using a sponge, tapping off excess ink first. ▶ watch 1:30
2. Build up the colour gradually, adding darker tones to create shading in areas like the stag's body and back leg. Always start soft as colour is difficult to remove. ▶ watch 2:00
3. Position the interior silhouette stencil of the stag on top and secure it with a magnet. ▶ watch 3:00
4. Stamp tree designs around the stag using espresso ink, pressing firmly around the elevated stencil element. Vary the tree stamps to create depth in the scene. ▶ watch 3:30
5. Hold the stencil in place and mist the area around the stag with water using a spray bottle to create a soft, watercolour effect. ▶ watch 5:15
6. Dab up excess ink with a cloth to help push the colour around and create the watercolour bleed effect. ▶ watch 6:15
7. Replace the exterior stencil and stamp the tree designs again into the stag area using the same espresso ink to create layered detail. ▶ watch 7:00
8. Using a flat brush, apply diluted blue ink to the top portion of the card with water, creating a loose wash effect without filling it completely. ▶ watch 9:00
9. Paint blue ink very lightly across the card, working close to the stencil edges. Brush left and right, allowing the water to carry the colour naturally. ▶ watch 10:00
10. Water the bottom base of the card and apply sparkle glue generously to create a reflective glasslike base effect. ▶ watch 11:30
11. Dry the card thoroughly with a heat tool to set the watercolour effects. ▶ watch 12:45
12. Bring back the tree details by stamping them again with green ink to restore definition lost during the water spray stage. ▶ watch 13:30
13. Cut a sentiment from the washi set and mat it onto black card, then position it on the card design. ▶ watch 17:30

Tips from the show

• Always start with soft colour application as it is difficult to remove once applied.
• When stamping around an elevated stencil element, press down firmly to ensure good ink transfer.
• Let water do the work when creating watercolour effects; allow it to carry the colour naturally rather than overworking it.

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