In today’s tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to create vibrant watercolor lettering with the help of a free template and a unique technique.
Quotes may seem like simple words, but their impact can be anything but! They serve to remind us, inspire us, and sometimes even challenge us. When paired with the right visual, a meaningful phrase can brighten any room or mood. Today, I’ll guide you through the process of using a special watercolor lettering technique to bring a quote to life, turning ordinary words into something striking and artistic.
This ~2 minute tutorial walks you through the process for creating this lettering. You’ll need the STAY POSITIVE Lettering Template in order to make it, which you can download for free here. For written instructions and step-by-step photography, keep reading!
In order to make this watercolor lettering, you’ll need six supplies:
Place your watercolor paper on top of the lettering template, then position both papers over a light box. Once the light box is turned on, the template should be visible through the watercolor paper. Wherever you see a white line within the letters, use your paintbrush to apply a thin line of masking fluid.
Once you finish painting the masking fluid, your paper should look something like this:
Now, use a blunt art syringe to moisten the watercolors that you wish to use for this project. I used the autumnal tones of Indian Red, Burnt Umber, Lamp Black, and Cadmium Orange Hue from my Cotman palette. I also opted to moisten a pan of Arabic gold.
Next, use your paintbrush to fill in each line of the quote, working one color at a time. Keep your light box on so you can clearly see the template beneath. While the masking fluid will preserve the inner lines of the letters, take your time to carefully freehand the edges for clean, crisp results.
Once you’ve painted over all of the letters and your watercolor has dried, remove the art masking fluid.
Now it’s time to enjoy your “line-a-licious” watercolor lettering however you like. Display it on the fridge, pin it to your office bulletin board, or frame it as a piece of living room decor. With the holidays approaching, it could also make a thoughtful gift—just go with what feels right to you!
I hope that you enjoyed today’s tutorial! The most important thing is to remember to have fun with it. I finished the second half of Bridgerton as I peacefully painted away. It was the perfect way to spend a relaxing couple of hours that left me feeling rejuvenated and re-centered!
Happy weekend and enjoy,
Want more watercolor in your life? Check out the Ultimate Beginner’s Watercolor Online Course:
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