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  • Trifold Watercolor Mountains Card Tutorial

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    , , , , , , ,

    If you’ve been craving a project that’s creative, quick, and a little different, you’ll like this tutorial. Today’s accordion-fold watercolor card is as fun to make, and it looks just as pretty standing up as it does laying flat.

    Mountain-themed birthday card

    I love to send cards that are engaging, tactile, and don’t look like anything you might find in a store. Today’s card checks all the boxes:

    • It’s an irregular size (send it in a #10 envelope).
    • It features a lot of texture and visual interest.
    • Thanks to the trifold design, this card opens into a scene that can stand proudly on a shelf or desk.
    Mountain-themed birthday card
    When you untie this card, it stands by itself.

    You don’t need a lot to make this project—just a few tools and a little time. Here’s what to gather before we get started:

    Supplies needed to make greeting card

    1. Cut Your Watercolor Paper

    Start by using your ruler to draw a diagonal line. Begin from the upper left corner of the watercolor paper and draw to the middle right.

    Diagonal line on a greeting card

    Then, cut along that line.

    Watercolor paper cut-out along the diagonal

    2. Make an Accordion Fold

    Once you’ve cut the watercolor paper, use your ruler and pencil to divide it into three even sections.

    Card with pencil marks
    Each section will measure just under 4 inches (~9.9 cm).

    Then, use your bone folder to make an accordion fold as shown below.

    Card with an accordion fold
    Making one inward fold and one outward fold helps the card’s panels nest neatly together.

    3. Cut Mountain Shapes

    Now, fold your card together. Then, use your pencil to draw jagged mountain shapes on each section.

    Pencil mountain shapes
    Your shapes should be random and jagged.

    Next, use your scissors to cut out the mountain shapes.

    Mountain shapes cut out of a card

    4. Paint Mountains

    Now, use a mixture of purple and blue watercolors to paint jagged connected triangles in all different sizes. (Once you paint a few, you’ll notice they look like mountains.) For a more finished look, I like to add mountains to the front and back of the card. If you’re short on time, you can just paint them on the parts that show when the card is folded.

    Painting a mountain range
    I used a mixture of Lapiz Lazuli and Ultramarine Purple to paint these mountains.

    Next, paint a few larger jagged triangles behind your first mountain range. If you have a nice turquoise or deep green tone, that’s a great color choice.

    Painting turquoise mountains
    These mountains were painted using Yucatan Mayan Blue.

    Finish up by filling in the remaining mountains with a warm gray tone.

    Gray mountains
    These mountains are a mixture of Slate and Graphite.

    5. Write a Quote

    Next, write a quote on the first panel using watercolor calligraphy. (It’s a good idea to make a pencil draft first, but you don’t have to.) For a cohesive look, stick to the same watercolors as your mountain scene.

    Writing a Kaitlin Style quote
    I used all-lowercase Kaitlin Style calligraphy to write “The best view comes after the hardest climb.”

    6. Write a Note and Fold

    Once you’ve calligraphed or hand-lettered a quote, use your everyday handwriting to write a note on the next two panels.

    Note on a trifold card

    Then, fold up the card and secure it with a piece of twine. Finish up by tucking it into a #10 envelope to send!

    Folded-up trifold card
    I like to tie this card together with a piece of twine, but any nice ribbon or string would work.

    Inspiration and Variations

    This card concept was inspired by Phyllis Macaluso’s Staggered Floral Trifold Card Tutorial. I love the interactive aspect of that card, and I wanted to put a masculine spin on it. Mountains felt like the perfect way to give the concept a more rugged, nature-inspired look.

    Pair Phyllis’ tutorial with The Beginner’s Guide to the Triangular Paintbrush to make beautiful floral cards.

    Remember, there are plenty of possibilities beyond flowers and mountains. Anything that repeats beautifully or creates a sense of rhythm will work well—think leaves, cityscapes, stars, or seashells.

    Mountain-themed birthday card

    Thanks so much for spending a little time with this tutorial! I really enjoyed the rhythm of this project—cutting out mountains, layering colors, adding a quote, and tying everything up with twine. It’s one of those projects that’s satisfying from start to finish, especially if you’ve been craving something hands-on and creative. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!

    Warmly,

    *This post contains affiliate links to Amazon