For Tuesday Tutorial Design Team Member, Heidi Blankenship shares with you how to use the Spectrum Aqua Markers to watercolor stamped images. Then she turns her watercolor in to a beautiful DIY home decor piece. Just a quick reminder that today.(Tuesday March 24th) is the last day to save 25% off all JustRite 6" x 8" Clear Stamps.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to find out who won last week's Tutorial Tuesday Giveaway and how you can enter to win this week's Giveaway. 

Today Heidi will be showing you how to color with Spectrum Aqua Markers. which are the Spectrum Noir Family. These new markers are literally flying from retailers shelves and we are very excited to announce that our next shipment is inbound. Currently there are 4 sets of 12 Spectrum Aqua Markers available – The Primary Set, The Essential Set, The Floral Set and The Nature Set.

To help you get started with your Spectrum Aqua Collection, today we have a Blog and Newsletter Exclusive Coupon Code.  Save 25% off Spectrum Aqua Products (markers and Spectrum Aqua Storage) use Coupon Code AQUA25 (all caps – no spaces). Coupon Code Expires March 31st.

Spectrum Aqua combines the performance of water-based color medium with the convenience and value of a dual-tipped marker. It's high quality dyes give flawless, even coverage with all the definition and vibrancy to deliver outstanding results. Diffuse with water and seamlessly blend colors adding depth and realism to your work.

• Dual-tipped – perfect for covering large areas with the sketch tip and coloring small areas with the fine tip.
• Blendable with water (water soluble), Acid Free, Non-Toxic, Odor Free,Dye Based and Ergonomic.  
• For best results use Artist grade watercolor paper (we do not recommend use with Ranger Watercolor Paper)

Spectrum also has a great marker storage solution for storing any of your markers. Here you can see Heidi's Aqua's in the Spectrum Noir Aqua Storage System.  

• 4 Trays per box -Modular system which can be customized to your personal space. 
  • Three different ways to build – horizontally, vertically or angled

  Each Tray holds 12 Markers – this storage system holds 48 Aqua Pens

If you are reading this post from a feedburner email click here to see Heidi's Video.

For today's project I used the Spectrum Aqua Markers with CL-02138 Sweet Posies Cling Stamps from JustRite Papercraft to create a wall decor piece. I stamped the floral image on to Strathmore Watercolor paper using Jet Black StazOn ink. Please note that results vary with different watercolor papers.  I prefer using Spectrum Aquas with the Strathmore Watercolor Paper.

 To color the flower just do one petal at a time. Start with the darkest color at the base of the petal which is WildFlower and then I added the second color Purple.  

Next put the brush in the water and then use a paper towel to blot off the excess water. 

Start on the outer edge of the petal by just adding water and then work your way in to the color. Doing this will allow the watercolor to flow and blend in to the water. If you have too much water on the brush it will wash out the color.

If you want the color to be darker or if it does get too washed out you can always add more color.  When water coloring you need to make sure each area is dry before painting another section. So you can either more to another section or dry the area with a heat tool. If you don't do this the colors can bleed into each other. Continue to color the rest of the petals and heat setting in between to speed up the process.

To color the yellow center of the flowers I used the Sunflower yellow marker.  I used the fine tip end of the marker.  To color the dark center part of the flower I used the fine tip on the Wildflower marker.

To color the leaves and stems of the flowers I used the Moss marker.

It's a little harder to see on the leaves but I water colored them the same as the flowers. Add the color with the marker and then add water to the white area and blend the color out.

To add color to the background I start by adding Aquamarine close to the edge of the flowers. Then I bring in a brush with clean water and I add water first and then come into the color and blend out. 

 If you get too much water or color on your brush you can blot it on a paper towel.

After the Aquamarine color was blended all around the flower and dry then I added more Aquamarine, Teal, and Peacock Blue.  

For this part I am using a larger round brush. I scribbled some color from the markers on my board. Next I am adding water to the paper and adding color a little at a time to the background until I get the effect that I want. Adding the water first will allow the color to move and blend.

Once the background is done and dried I wanted to add some paint splatters. I scribbled some of the Black on my board and added water. Then I tapped my brush to add the paint splatters. I dried the paint splatters and then added some water drops to create the white drops. 

To finish my project I trimmed down the watercolor paper. To create my DIY Home Decor piece I purchased a wooden frame and a 6" x 6" canvas at Michaels. I spray painted the frame with black spray paint and I painted the canvas with a layer of white paint.  When these were both dry I glued my watercolor paper to my frame with Ranger Multi Medium Matte. After that dried I applied the Ranger Multi Medium Matte to the back of the frame and and the watercolor paper.

Thanks so much for joining me today!  I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  :) 

 –– Heidi Blankenship

Supplies:

JustRite Stamps:  JustRite Papercraft CL-02138 Sweet Posies Cling Stamps

Paper: Strathmore Watercolor Paper

Ink:  Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko StazOn Jet Black Ink

Markers:  Spectrum Aqua Markers - Wildflower, Purple, Sunflower Moss, Aquamarine, Teal, Peacock Blue, Black

Accessories:  6 x 6 Canvas, White Gesso or Acrylic Paint, Wood Frame, Black Acrylic or Spray Paint, Paint Brushes, Ranger Multi Medium Matte

Announcing this week's Tutorial Tuesday Winner.

Congratulations to FM who commented on Darsie's Tutorial last week on the JustRite Blog.  You are the winner of a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the JustRite Website. 

FM please email me at kellie@justritepapercraft.com with your email and shipping information so that I can send you your gift card.  Please use as the subject line of your email Tutorial Tuesday Winner..

For this week's Tutorial Tuesday Giveaway one lucky winner will receive a $50.00 Gift Certificate to the JustRite Webstore.

Simply answer today's giveaway questions. Have you created watercolor projects yet? If so how many watercolor projects did you make in the last year.

Remember that you can double your chances of winning by leaving comments here and on Heidi's Video. Don't forget to show Heidi a little love, when you watch her video – give her a thumbs up.

 Thanks for stopping by today.