Hey, friends!
I was feeling an artistic mood coming on, I thought I’d show you guys how to make a few simple cards. I really like making cards with just ink and watercolor because they’re quick and simple, and I really like the minimalist style. Today, I’m showing you how to do a happy birthday card, a thank-you, and a congratulations card – although they could be switched up and changed easily. Let’s get started!
First, I normally sketch out what I think I’m going to do. I normally do that on the card itself but I used my sketchbook for this. I make my cards 5.5 x 4.25 inches – which is a piece of 8.5 x 11 cut in half.
Then I do it in ink on the card. I did cursive for the words and made some wavy lines, lopsided circles and mini triangles to make the balloons.
I start in for the fake calligraphy…
And then color in the balloons with blue watercolor.
For this card, I start by outlining a simple circle. I found a pint-size ball jar worked well for the right size circle.
Pencil in leaves of varying sizes on the circle…
Ink in just the leaves, not the circle. Then color them in with different shades of green. I have an emerald and a more yellow green, so I used both and made a mix of the two as well.
Once the watercolor has dried, I grabbed a darker green and went around to connect the leaves. I also put some lines on the leaves.
I penciled in the words and then inked and fake calligraphed.
For the last card, pencil and then ink in your words.
Add some vertical dashes in a middle color.
Fill in with darker dashes and some lighter dots, and calligraph your word.
And you’re done! Heh heh, I hope that wasn’t too hard to follow. These are super easy, minimalist cards that are quick and fun to make. You can switch up the words and do variations. Hopefully this was a bit of inspiration!
So which is your favorite card? Should I do more art tutorials? Am I horrid at tutorials? (yeah, probably so. XD)
29 Comments
Love the pretty yet simple look! The writing is just so fancy. My favourite is probably the Thank You card. You are NOT horrid at tutorials Aria!! You should definitely do more.
January 30, 2019 at 12:17 pmAwww, thanks! I’m so glad you like them!
January 30, 2019 at 5:23 pmThese are great, Aria! I should try these
January 30, 2019 at 12:20 pmYou should!
Thanks, Christina!
January 30, 2019 at 5:23 pmOoh I love the “thank you” one, but they are all so pretty – it’s hard to decide! π I’d love to see more tutorials!
January 30, 2019 at 12:21 pmI know – that’s my favorite too! Ooh, okay! Thanks, Hannah!
January 30, 2019 at 5:24 pmOoh super cute! I love the ink and watercolor style. With both your and Allison’s card posts today, I am now full of creative juice π Thanks for sharing!
January 30, 2019 at 1:00 pmSo do I! Ahhh, I’m so glad! (We didn’t even coordinate it, either! Great minds, you know. π )
January 30, 2019 at 5:25 pmWow! πππ Just wow! Those are beautiful! Love this post as well β€οΈ
January 30, 2019 at 1:08 pmAHHH, I’M SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT, CASSIA!
January 30, 2019 at 5:26 pmOoo, these are lovely! And, yes, simplistic is in a way, elegant. I love the minimalist look! Hmm, I think the thank you or the birthday one is my favorite. Great job on the tutorial, Aria!π Also, I would love a post on which writing utensils you use! You could get lost in all the options available. *shakes head*
January 30, 2019 at 2:32 pmThanks, Maddi! Yeah, me too! Ooh, that’s a great idea! I know, right? Ha!
January 30, 2019 at 5:27 pmThis tutorial is so helpful! I’ve been at a loss as to what to put on homemade cards and this has definitely inspired me. Thank you so much!
January 30, 2019 at 2:50 pmOh, I’m so glad, Kendra!
January 30, 2019 at 5:28 pmSO PRETTY and totally inspiring!!
January 30, 2019 at 3:17 pmEeep, thanks Lisa!
January 30, 2019 at 5:30 pmCute! I might have to try the wreath one π
January 30, 2019 at 3:27 pmIf you do, I’d love to see it, Cat!
January 30, 2019 at 5:31 pmOoh, those are so pretty!! π I’ll have to try to make them sometime!
January 30, 2019 at 6:42 pmThanks, Liz! You should!
January 31, 2019 at 8:05 pmHahaha *I* am horrible at tutorials π Those cards are really neat, I made something similar for my friends for Christmas and posted them on my blog. Ayy I have that watercolour brush too!
January 31, 2019 at 11:15 amWell I don’t know about that! XD Aww, I’m glad you like them!
January 31, 2019 at 8:06 pmAhh, so cute!
January 31, 2019 at 5:05 pm
Thanks!
February 1, 2019 at 4:34 pmYAYYYY AN ART POST! These are LOVELY, dear! My favorite is the thank you card, I believe. Your art style is absolutely beautiful. <3
February 1, 2019 at 12:03 pmEeep, thanks! Yeah, that’s my favorite too.
February 1, 2019 at 4:36 pmAhh, so pretty, Aria! I’m glad to see that your love for card making has not diminished. π
February 1, 2019 at 10:40 pmAww, thanks! Hee hee, yeah.
February 4, 2019 at 4:13 pmAHH THESE ARE SO PRETTY! You are such a good artist, Aria!! π
-Clara <3
February 4, 2019 at 7:19 pm