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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    Luminous Watercolor Florals Kraft Card Tutorial

    September 2, 2021

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Floral Illustration Tutorials, Greeting Card Tutorials, Hand-Lettering, Thank You Cards, Watercolor Tutorials

    There’s just something about watercolor florals on kraft paper! The paint’s semi-transparent quality dries beautifully on the paper to result in an elegant piece. Today, I’ll show you how to use watercolors to make a lovely “thank you” card.

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    Luminous Watercolor Florals Kraft Card Tutorial

    If you’re looking for a tasteful way to say “thank you”, try making this lovely watercolor florals card. It features kraft paper, pretty watercolor, and lettering that complements the card’s floral motif. (Watercolor beginners rejoice: this tutorial is suitable for any skill level!)

    1. Gather Your Supplies

    Before you get started making this watercolor florals card, you’ll need a few key supplies. You can find a list with links below the photo.

    Supplies needed to make a floral watercolor thank you card

    • Watercolor palette with green, orange, and red tones
    • 5″ x 7″ (~12.7 cm x 17.75 cm) blank kraft greeting card
    • Finetec Arabic Gold pan
    • Bleed Proof White Ink (or white paint)
    • Blunt art syringe (to moisten watercolors, optional) + art water
    • Size 000 paintbrush + Size 1 paintbrush
    • Pencil + ruler or straight edge
    • Straight pen fitted with Nikko G nib

    2. Make a Pencil Draft

    First, use a ruler or a straight edge to make two sets of horizontal guidelines. The guidelines in each set should be about 7/8″ (~2.25 cm) apart, and the sets should have about 1/8″ (~0.3 cm) of space between them. Once you’ve got those guidelines, use George Style lettering to write “THANK YOU”.

    Making a thank you card pencil draft
    Try to center “THANK” at the top and “YOU” at the bottom. It helps to write the “A” in the center first, then “TH” and “NK”. Then, write the “O” and “Y”, then “U”.

    Now, work on using your pencil to draw a flower garden motif. The garden should include roses, tulips, branches, and leaves.

    Making a thank you card pencil draft

    Please feel free to use the photo below as a reference for your own pencil draft!

    Pencil draft of floral watercolor thank you card
    Notice that most of the florals are concentrated at the bottom of the card. A couple of curved branches help to fill up the top.

    3. Add Watercolor

    Next, use your size 1 paintbrush and a pale green tone to fill in any long, thin leaves in your motif. Use the size 000 paintbrush to paint delicate stems.

    Adding Watercolor to the Floral Kraft Greeting Card
    I used Hooker’s Green from the Winsor & Newton Cotman palette to paint these leaves.

    Then, use a red tone and an orange tone to paint any large flowers. Use a dark green and a bit of brown to start filling in large leaves.

    Adding color to the watercolor floral thank you card
    I used Winsor & Newton‘s Alizaron Crimson for the rose and Cadmium Orange for the tulips. For the leaves, I used a combination of Viridian and Burnt Umber.

    Finish up this step by filling in remaining leaves with a light green tone. Then, use your size 000 paintbrush and a burgundy tone to fill in any thyme-like branches. Finally, use Bleed Proof White ink to paint any small flowers.

    Adding color to the watercolor floral thank you card
    I used Sap Green and Indian Red to complete the watercolor portion of my card.

    4. Fill In the Lettering

    Now, use your Bleed Proof White ink (or white acrylic paint) and your size 1 paintbrush to fill in any thick strokes in your lettering.

    White lettering on a Watercolor Florals Kraft Card

    5. Use a Dip Pen to Add Accents

    At this point, you’ll use the watercolor calligraphy technique to load dark green watercolor onto your Nikko G nib. Use the green watercolor to outline the large leaves and stems on the card.

    Watercolor Florals Kraft Card with outlined leaves
    I used Hooker’s Green to draw the outlines shown here.

    Then, use that same green tone to outline around your lettering.

    Watercolor Florals Kraft Card with outlined leaves

    Once the watercolor outlines have dried, load some Arabic gold watercolor onto your nib. Use your dip pen and the gold watercolor to outline your flowers. Then, use the size 000 paintbrush to add a few random collections of gold dots, which will give the piece some dimension and interest.

    Luminous Watercolor Florals Kraft Card Tutorial

    Enjoy!

    Once all of the paint has dried, your watercolor florals card is ready to be enjoyed. Send it in a pretty envelope — if you have the time, mail art is always appropriate — and prepare for a delighted recipient!

    Luminous Watercolor Florals Kraft Card Tutorial

    I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial, which is perfect for a beautiful end of summer day. Thanks very much for reading!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About The Postman’s Knock (TPK)

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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124 responses

  1. Ali Burke Avatar
    Ali Burke
    September 22, 2021

    Beautiful!! I love the gold accents. Thank you for the tutorial!!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 28, 2021

      You’re welcome! The gold is gorgeous!

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  2. Dorina Avatar
    Dorina
    September 22, 2021

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful tutorial, Lindsay! Can’t wait to try this, and loving the rustic romantic vibes from palette combo on Kraft paper <3

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 22, 2021

      Aren’t they pretty?! Thank you and I hope you enjoy making it.

      Log in to Reply
  3. wendy Avatar
    wendy
    September 21, 2021

    Oh this is a beautiful card! I love kraft, and these colors really pop on that kraft cardstock!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 22, 2021

      Thank you so much! I’m glad you like it.

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  4. Caryn Macdonald Avatar
    Caryn Macdonald
    September 21, 2021

    Lindsey, I love all of your work! Thank you for including such beautiful and accessible projects as this card.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 22, 2021

      You’re so welcome, I’m glad you enjoy the projects!

      Log in to Reply
  5. Kathleen Nava Avatar
    Kathleen Nava
    September 21, 2021

    This is beautiful! I always love your ideas and i appreciate how you do a strp by step process with your projects. I haven’t tried watercolor on kraft paper, I’m scared the paper will ‘melt’ with the amount of water i use lol. Definitely need to try it now.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 29, 2021

      Definitely give it a try, good luck!

      Log in to Reply
  6. Marty K. Whitney Avatar
    Marty K. Whitney
    September 21, 2021

    Very beautiful! Love your blog.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 29, 2021

      Thank you!

      Log in to Reply
  7. Madalyn Shatzer Avatar
    Madalyn Shatzer
    September 21, 2021

    I adapted this idea and created a “thinking of you” card for a friend undergoing cancer treatments. I substituted a Bible verse for the calligraphy, and I think that the design turned out quite well. Your watercolor cards are always so beautiful!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 29, 2021

      That is beautiful to hear, thank you! I’m sure your friend was thrilled to receive it.

      Log in to Reply
  8. Alexa Avatar
    Alexa
    September 21, 2021

    Beautiful-I can’t wait to try this ASAP! Kraft paper is not utilized nearly enough with watercolor, it has such an interesting effect.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 30, 2021

      It really does come out beautifully! I hope you enjoy it.

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  9. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda
    September 21, 2021

    Watercoloring is my favorite creative activity! Like this watercolor card.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 30, 2021

      It is a beautiful activity! I hope you give it a try!

      Log in to Reply
  10. Megan Avatar
    Megan
    September 21, 2021

    This is beautiful. I like that it is made on Kraft paper. It gives it a natural rustic look that is complemented so well by the bright flowers.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 30, 2021

      Thank you! Watercolors and Kraft paper do create a beautiful piece!

      Log in to Reply
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An X-Acto knife (aka a hobby knife) is one of thos An X-Acto knife (aka a hobby knife) is one of those tools that is indispensable for a lot of applications. It was designed to make precise cuts, which, of course, it does well! But, you can also use it to scrape off unwanted ink smears (pro tip: after the fact, you can smooth disturbed paper fibers with a pebble), create interesting interior cuts, trim tiny details that scissors can’t reach, make stencils and templates, refine collage elements, and gently correct small drawing or calligraphy mistakes.

I have used X-Acto knives for many TPK Blog tutorials, but up until last week, I’d never written a guide that puts the X-Acto knife front and center. That guide now exists, and you can find it by visiting the link 🔗 in my profile. Be sure to watch the tutorial video!

#xactoknife #hobbyknife #papercutting #papercutart #xactoknifeart
Just back in the TPK Supplies Shop: Finetec Arabic Just back in the TPK Supplies Shop: Finetec Arabic Gold watercolor pans (and the fabulous Finetec Golds palette). ✨ Gold makes *anything* gorgeous, but use it to make a calligraphy medallion, and it’s just next-level. 🤩 (Tutorial for this particular medallion can be found in the Dancing Pen Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet Set). 

To find the golds + the worksheet, visit the link in my bio, then navigate to “Shop”. Happy weekend! 

#goldcalligraphy #goldwatercolor #pointedpencalligraphy #fineteccoliro #goldcalligraphy
Hard to fit everything in, but this was 2025 in a Hard to fit everything in, but this was 2025 in a nutshell at TPK! 🥜

This year, I loved teaching at @thehappyevercrafter’s Workshop Week and participating in @calmingcalligraphy’s World Calligraphy as Meditation Day. And seeing the TPK calligraphy kit featured in @newyorkermag’s 2025 holiday gift guide was an unexpected (and delightful) cherry on top! 🍒

So much of what happened over the past year, though, was shaped by the TPK Premium community. Their questions and feedback helped guide Hand Lettering 101, while their encouragement fueled tutorials on topics ranging from turning red wine into calligraphy ink to illustrating recipes, painting with a wedge brush, and creating greeting cards and envelope art. 💌 That same support made it possible to create new worksheets and resources that others were able to enjoy as well, which I’m very grateful for. 

For a fuller recap (with helpful links and details) I shared a 2025 reflection on the TPK blog (link in bio).

#handlettering #gracefulenvelopecontest #pointedpencalligraphy #discordcommunity #calligraphyteacher
Which is your favorite koi-themed envelope? The fi Which is your favorite koi-themed envelope? The first one (A. Moreira), which was created as a prop for “The Calligraphy Book” ... *or* the second (Nigel Wright), which was created for the photographer who took pictures of the Moreira envelope for “The Calligraphy Book”? (When I heard how much Nigel had loved the first koi envelope, I made him his own variation!) 🎏

#mailart #snailmail #mailbox #snailmailrevolution #koiart
✨ A little comparison today … because not all ✨ A little comparison today ... because not all golds behave the same.

✦ Finetec gold → bright, cheerful, and versatile
✦ Greenleaf & Blueberry faux brass → softer, muted, and stunning
✦ Yasutomo pale gold → velvety, subtle shimmer with a sensible amount of sparkle

I love having all three on hand and choosing based on the feel I want for a project. It’s tough to go wrong! ✨

#moderncalligraphy #calligraphytools #goldink #watercolorcalligraphy #letteringcommunity mailart calligraphypractice artmaterials creativeprocess handlettering
🕊️ I originally made these printable tags for 🕊️ I originally made these printable tags for gifts … but now I want them everywhere. On presents 🎁, yes; but also tucked into snail mail, sprinkled across a holiday table with happy words written inside (“joy”, “love”, “peace”), or styled on a mantle for a cozy seasonal touch 🎄. They’re simple, charming, and versatile. Find them on the TPK Blog (link in bio)!

#thepostmansknock #printableart #giftwrappingideas #snailmaillove #happymail handillustrated holidaydetails paperlove creativegifting handlettering makersofinstagram stationeryaddict thoughtfuldetails slowdownandsendmail gifttags diygifttag giftwrapping giftpresentation handwrappedgift
I experimented with using the chic poppies techniq I experimented with using the chic poppies technique (see my reel from a couple of days ago) to make pretty stationery. LOVE how it turned out! The poppies are just an elegant way to add personality and elegance to any paper good. If you’re a TPK Premium member, *definitely* check out Lesson 6 of the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (2025 version). In it, you’ll find a detailed video demonstration that shows you how to bring these poppies to life! ✍️

#stationery #diystationery #floralillustration #penandink #handdrawn #drawing #painting #sumiink #snailmail #mail #mailart #snailmailrevolution #happymail #mailbox #calligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #rosegoldsumi
TPK’s calligraphy starter kit was just featured TPK’s calligraphy starter kit was just featured in @newyorkermag’s “A Holiday Gift Guide: Treasures That Are Old, or Old at Heart”. 🎁 I agree that it makes for a *fabulous* gift ... and it is the gift that keeps on giving, since your recipient will develop the skills to create all sorts of beautiful and satisfying projects. We’re talking gorgeous envelopes, frameable quotes that make a home feel cozy, place cards, sketchbook pages, family trees ... there are a lot of possibilities (and tutorials for those possibilities can be found on the TPK Blog)!

To get a kit, visit the link in my bio and navigate to the “SHOP” tab. If you buy a kit as a gift, let me know right after placing your order (lindsey@thepostmansknock.com). Be sure to tell me your recipient’s name, and I’ll be glad to include instructions for them over how to enroll in the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course, which comes with the $125 kit option. ✍️ Happy holidays! 

#thepostmansknock #tpk #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #calligraphytools #calligraphyset #calligraphykit #giftguide #holidaygiftguide #newyorkermag #smallbusinesslove #shopsmall #makersgonnamake #creativegifts #handmadegifts #artgifts #artsupplies #stationerylove #snailmailrevival #envelopecalligraphy #learncalligraphy #artistsontiktok #creativeprocess #holidayseason #giftideas2024
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