Monday, July 30, 2018

African Night Watercolor Tutorial

Hello friends! The very warm and dry weather continues here. It is basically South African summer weather, but without the rain storms. We have been going to swim in the late afternoon when it cools down a little. The weather also inspired my project for this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog.





Thank you to everyone who hopped along with us in last week's Christmas in July blog hop. This week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog we have a Wild Things theme. Fun! Don't miss the last project by our July guest designer Karolina Bukowska.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

I was missing South Africa and made an African night scene in my art Dylusions Small Creative art journal. It was such fun to make and I actually made a whole bunch of little watercolor backgrounds. The stamps are by Darkroom Door. The background was colored with Dina Wakley's Scribble Sticks, and is very easy to do.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

Start by sketching the outline of a hill on a piece of watercolor paper and add a moon with Molotow Art Masking Liquid. I also added stars, but if you will use Scribble Sticks like I did, you can skip the stars, since they will rub off. If you color the scene with ordinary watercolor paint or with Distress Ink, add the stars.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson with Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks

Scribble over the scene with Scribble Sticks. You want to get a lot of pigment on the page. Go lightly over the moon, otherwise you will rub off the masking liquid. I used both Set 1 and Set 2 of the Scribble Sticks.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

Use a paint brush and clean water to dissolve the Scribble Stick marks and blend them. Before the background dried completely, I drew some trees, sticks and grass at the top of the hill with a black Derwent Inktense pencil. The Inktense pencils dissolve when water is applied, so if the background isn't completely dry, you get an immediate watercolor look. When the background is completely dry, you can add even more detail. Rub off the masking fluid.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson with Darkroom Door African Trees stamps

Ink stamps with Black Soot, mist with water for a watercolor effect and stamp. The stamps are all from the African Trees set. Add grasses, shadows and more trees with the black Inktense pencil. Dissolve some of it with water and a paint brush.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

Use a white gel pen and a little white acrylic paint to add stars to the sky and highlights to the ground. With a dry brush, add shine around the moon with the white paint.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

I looked for some Clippings Stickers that fitted my thoughts behind the page, and was happy with the combination of these three lines.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

The smaller dots are from the white gel pen and the larger from the paint - applied with a tooth pick.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

There is a thin pencil line around the moon, from when I traced the moon with a coin. I left it in place, since I liked the effect.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

The grasses and drawn trees add interest and are easy to do.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson

When you apply Scribble Sticks as thickly as I did here, some texture remains, which I liked for this page. If you don't want the texture, apply the Scribble Sticks more lightly.

Layers of ink - African Night Watercolor Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson



I hope you will join us this week in our Wild Things challenge. As always, you have a chance to win a $50 gift voucher to do some fun shopping at Simon Says Stamp. You have until next Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in.




Don't forget to follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram, they post great stuff daily. 




Do you use Instagram? If so please add #sssmchallenge so we can see your entries there too.





Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog today!  

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:

* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.


16 comments:

  1. Gorgeous, love the scene you have set . The colours are perfect for the imagery . Tracy ❤️❤️

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  2. This sure turned out so nicely! It's been african hot in these parts also this summer. Western WA normally doesn't get crazy hot but this year for me it's been too warm. As alaskan native i prefer it NOT to go above 70...I am digging your work and thank you for sharing!

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  3. Fabulous African safari scene Anna-Karin!! It is numero uno on my bucket list to visit and see this scene IRL, but in the meantime this is perfect!! :-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

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  4. Wow.... love the fantastic African night scene you created on this art journal page, Anna-Karin. The colors and the whole layout are so beautiful. :)

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  5. I always admire your artsy landscapes you make with such an ease and they always turn out amazing. Love this african view and the strong colors you used. Hugs, Marzena

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  6. Stunning scene, Anna-Karin! I love how you created the background and the silhouette animals :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  7. Magical scene Ana-Karin! You used unusual and great colours, very interesting. Great use of various materials too :)
    I also love these stamps as you know! I have a card made with them that I could share, but sadly, I miss time to write the corresponding post, with all the supplies I used.
    Maybe later at another time if I can, we never know :)
    Hugs and happy Summer to you and your 3 (with your husband! :D) boys
    Corinne

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  8. Finally had time to enter this challenge, for once!! :)
    Happy week-end to you Anna-Karin, hugs.

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  9. Anna-Karin! You always know how to use products in such amazing ways. And you're a really talented artist, too. You don't just use products, but you're very skilled in your own right and I love your projects week to week.

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  10. A beautiful scene which has so much atmosphere and beauty, it's just stunning Anna-Karin and you are such a talented artist... <3

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  11. Such a beautiful scene! I love the vibrant colours and starry night with the fabulous quote you used - perfect 😁. Happy weekend! J 😊 x

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  12. this is so beautiful Anna-Karin and just how I imagine an African night would look, great tutorial too, hugs kath xxx

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  13. as always a beautiful scene.... you are a Master of watercolor scene! Fabulous color! Barbara

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  14. Beautiful and dreamy scenery! You know that going to Africa is one of my travel dream?

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  15. I was looking for inspirations for painting a night scene and this one is really nice. Thanks for sharing the process.

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Happy Crafting!