Sketch Starter: Masculine Watercolor Cards

It’s time for another Sketch Starter! Are you ready? 

As you might know, as a Design Team Member for Altenew, I create monthly inspiration projects that feature two distinctly different projects using the same sketch. I encourage you to give the sketch a try and share your results on social media (tag me @nicolewattcreates), or if you’re a class member here on NWC, upload a project to the comments below!

sketch #04

I know that they say that “creativity never gets used up”, but it certainly feels like it sometime! That’s where a good sketch comes in 😁. This time, I’ve got a real fun one!

Feel free to pin this image on Pinterest for future reference! 

watercolor for a masculine style

Both projects feature the new Watercolor Essential 12 pan set. It is 12 colors from the original 32 pan set. I pulled in two of the greens (and mixed to make a 3rd shade) along with black (watered down to make a beautiful gray) for both of today’s projects. It was the perfect medium to make these projects quintessential masculine.

stars for guys

For my first project, I used Faceted Stars for the backdrop. The angles made in the repeating pattern were a perfect match for the sketch. To make the sketch line super obvious, I went grayscale on the right, and added pops of color to the left. The central square element was critical to letting the sentiment pop.

freestyle & flip

For the second design, I flipped the sketch on end and went totally freestyle with my background. I added in an angled line with pencil. Measuring the same distance (1 1/2″) from each end helped to make sure the line was even. I masked off the line and added in the stripes on one side. Then I filled in the other side to compete the look. to keep the beautiful background as visible as possible, I used a piece of vellum for the square element. The rest of the design didn’t need much, so a simple black telephone with sentiment (It’s For You stamp set) finished it off.

sketch starters with nicole

Here’s the companion video that will walk you through creating both designs!

your turn!

Feeling inspired or challenged? Now, it’s your turn to give the sketch a try and share your results on social media (tag me @nicolewattcreates), or if you’re a class member here on NWC, log into your account and upload a project to the comments below!