Beginners Mixed Media – Watercolor Gift Tags

This quote sits very well with me-

Don’t wish, do!

Here it goes. For many many years I’ve admired mixed media art. The colors, the textures, and the imagination that goes into the design just wows me.

For several years I’ve wanted to get into mixed media art but my own negative self talk would get the best of me and I’d shy away from it.

Well, last year I actually stopped wishing and started doing!! On a couple of occasions I’ve shared my creations on my Instagram account, but it’s rare. And not once have I ever recorded a mixed media project from beginning to end and posted it. Until now.

I decided to get over my fear of the new-ness. So I’m starting off by sharing a small simple project, gift tags. Check it out.

Supplies

Watercolor Paper
Tombow Dual Brush Pens or Water Based Markers
Sheet Protector
Gift Tag Die Cut (similar)
Spray/Mister Bottle
Polka Dot Stamp
Ranger Perfect Medium and Perfect Pearls Set
Ranger Letter It Fineliner
Speckled Stamp (by Cam & Chloe)
Ranger Archival Ink
Burlap Stencil
Finnabair 3D Matte Gel
Palette Knife or Craft Stick
Tombow Permanent Adhesive
Ribbon
String

Step One

First, using Tombow Dual Brush Pens or other water based markers, color right onto a sheet protector. Color all over with multiple colors in various directions. The colors I’m using work well together and are brush pens 379, 403, 407, 443, 665, 636, and 685.

Step Two

Using a spray/mister bottle, lightly spray the top of the sheet protector. I sprayed enough to have small beads of water rather than puddles of water. The more water that is used, the lighter the colors will become. Next, I placed my watercolor paper right on top, absorbing all the colors. Let this air dry or expedite the dry time with a heat gun. Once dried, place the paper directly on top of the sheet protector to absorb more color.

Step Three

After the paper is fully dry, use the tag die-cut to create the tags.

Step Four

Next, add Perfect Medium to a stamp (I’m using a polka dot stamp by Stampabilities) and place the image on the tag. Then brush on Perfect Pearls (Confetti White), this will make the polka dots shimmery. After, lightly spray the tag with water to set in the Perfect Pearls.

Step Five

Add some dimension to the tag by outlining it with a LetterIt Fineliner pen.

Step Six

Now it’s time to add texture. Place the stencil on top of the tag and with a palette knife or craft stick, add 3D Matte Gel. Let this dry completely or it will smear.

Step Seven

The tag looked a little too plain so I decided to add another layer. With Ranger Archival Ink, I added a speckled stamp around the 3D Matte Gel. Create a similar look just by adding small random sized dots with a grey marker.