The Ultimate Funky Envelope Art Tutorial

There are some design concepts that I can’t help but return to using time and time again. This funky envelope art is one of them! It’s pretty simple: write out the recipient’s address in a cool lettering style. Then, use watercolor and a gel pen to make vibrant color magic that complements the postage stamps on the piece! Here’s exactly how to go about it:

1. Choose a Postage Stamp Combination

First, find a good white envelope that will withstand moisture (Cards & Pockets is a great choice)! Then, pick out a postage stamp (or postage stamps) with a defined and dramatic color combination; in this case, I chose red, blue, and purple. Go ahead and affix the postage to your envelope so you can reference the colors in it as you work.

2. Write the Recipient’s Name

Now, use George Style lettering to write the recipient’s name. Fill in your letters with various sizes of circles instead of the traditional George Style diagonal lines.

3. Calligraph the Recipient’s Address

This funky envelope art will benefit from a touch of elegance in the form of a neatly calligraphed address! I used the Perfect Calligraphy Envelope Generator to ensure consistently-spaced pencil guidelines and slant lines.

Once you’ve drawn guidelines, use them to write an address in pretty Janet Style calligraphy. Be sure to add some flourish for good measure.

4. Add Watercolor

For this part, you’ll need to work quickly and put on your “abstract artist” hat! First, moisten the colors of watercolor that appear in your stamps. For me, that’s red, purple, and blue — and I also moistened a bit of Finetec silver! Then, use a large brush (size 6 or so) to paint a stroke of clean water on the lower left side of your envelope. Before the water dries, apply one color of paint to your brush, and touch the brush to the water. The color should bloom out across the water.

Continue to paint clean water on the envelope, then apply different colors to that water. The result should look something like the envelope below:

5. Draw “Bubbles”

Once your watercolor has completely dried, use your gel pen to draw various sizes of connected bubbles in a random formation.

Continue to add to the formation, using it to hug the contours of one of the watercolor spikes.

Add several groups of bubbles until the envelope art has a nice balance of watercolor and bubbles. Once you’re satisfied with the balance, you’re finished!

Funky Envelope Art Color Scheme Examples

I normally only use any given mail art motif once. But this funky envelope art concept has had me delighted for years! I’ve used it on quite a few envelopes, always corresponding my watercolors with the colors in the postage stamps that I’m using. Here are two examples:

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Whether you’re a seasoned envelope art pro or just experimenting with decorating your mail, this is a fabulous tutorial to try! I hope that you’ll feel free to modify it to suit your personal style and the postage stamps that you have on hand. Enjoy, and have a fantastic weekend!

Warmly,