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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.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I

    April 1, 2016

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Inspiration, Tutorials, Watercolor, Watercolor Tutorials

    This blog post is part one of a three-part series over how to paint various woodland-themed watercolor wreaths! If you’ve never tried painting a watercolor wreath before, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how simple it is. Today’s post will show you how to create a “Branches” wreath; the Branches wreath looks great on rectangular or…

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    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    If you’re not on the watercolor wreath bandwagon, I hope that this series of three tutorials will get you there! I love watercolor wreaths because they’re gorgeous, quick, and they complement calligraphy and lettering extremely well. In today’s tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a “Branches” watercolor wreath. It’s a square or rectangular wreath that looks amazing on cards, envelopes, gift tags, bookmarks, and whatever else you want to try it on!

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    To make this watercolor wreath, you’ll start with a square or rectangular piece of paper (in this example, I’ll be painting on a 3″x3″ square piece of watercolor paper). Use your pencil to draw straight guidelines about 1/2″ from the edges of the square. You can use a ruler to achieve this, or you can “cheat” and trace around a square object, as I am doing below.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Next, take an eraser and use it to go over your pencil lines until you can just barely see them. This is a trick you can utilize whenever you want to paint with watercolor over pencil guidelines! The guidelines are so faint that you won’t be able to see them through the paint when the piece is finished.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Pull out your favorite set of watercolors, and use a little bit of water to moisten a nice brown tone. Pre-moistening the watercolor will make it easier for you to achieve a nice, vivid color. (The Altoids watercolor set pictured below is from Greenleaf & Blueberry.)

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Once the water has soaked into the brown paint a bit (~2 minutes), you can use the paint to make a tree branch along the right edge of your square. Try to make the tree branch a slightly tapered column with an uneven bottom and little lines (sticks) coming out of it toward the top, as pictured below. A size 0 or 1 brush should do the trick! (If you’re not sure what size your brush is, take a look at its handle. It will have a number engraved somewhere, and that number denotes the size.)

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Continue to paint tree branches, leaving a little bit of space in the corners that separate them.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    The result will look something like the photo below:

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Now, take a larger paintbrush — I am using a size 2 brush — and use it to dab oblong dots of green watercolor paint along the branches. The leaves should loosely cluster around the twigs and the tops of the branches.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Continue to add leaves until the piece looks something like the photo below. Don’t worry that the leaves are sparsely spaced; you’re going to add more!

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    As we know from nature, no two leaves are exactly the same color. Accordingly, you’ll want to select a different shade of green and add more leaves to the piece. You can see below that I am using a lighter green than the first shade I chose.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    The final step is to add one more shade of green to thicken things out. Once the leaves on the branches look full and healthy, you’re finished!

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    There are numerous applications for this technique — you can use the watercolor wreath on anything from wedding invitation design (learn how to digitize it in the new eCourse) to gift tags to handmade cards! Below, you can see that I have made a greeting card using Kaitlin Style calligraphy and a hand-drawn banner.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock

    You can also use it to add some woodland personality to any light-colored envelope! The square envelope below features Amy Style calligraphy, Sans Serif lettering, and a simple calligraphy flourish.

    Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part I | The Postman's Knock


    I hope that you enjoyed today’s tutorial, and that you give making this woodland watercolor wreath a try this weekend! If you’re ready for more watercolor wreaths, you can find part II of this post by clicking here, and part III by clicking here. Thanks so much for reading TPK, and enjoy your weekend!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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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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Previous post: Two Decorated Envelopes Mini-Tutorials
Next post: Woodland Watercolor Wreath Tutorials: Part II

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57 responses

  1. Bekki Avatar
    Bekki
    April 2, 2016

    This is so perfectly timed! My niece is redecorating her room with a woodland theme for her birthday later this month. I was already planning to do the dresser card, and now I can pop Narnia behind the doors!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      I am totally loving your creativity-merging brain! Yes, yes, yes!!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Pauline Bold Avatar
    Pauline Bold
    April 2, 2016

    Beautiful colors! I would love to win this set. I plan to use this technique with children at nature camps this summer. Maybe put a self portraits or some other form of artwork inside the border. I’m sure the kids will be able to do this design. Thank you for sharing!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      That is a fantastic idea! I agree — they’ll definitely be able to create this design, and they’ll love the results. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  3. Kat Avatar
    Kat
    April 2, 2016

    I just signed up for Instagram for this post…and because your (what’s the word? blogs? instas? posts?) things there are awesome!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      Oh, yay!! You’ll love Instagram … there’s so much inspiration on there! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  4. Sandi Avatar
    Sandi
    April 2, 2016

    Thank you for your lovely tutorials!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      It’s my pleasure, Sandi! Thank you for taking the time to write! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  5. Alison Avatar
    Alison
    April 2, 2016

    Very inspiring! Thank you so much!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      Absolutely! I hope you give it a go!

      Log in to Reply
  6. Laura Avatar
    Laura
    April 2, 2016

    Beautiful and it looks do pretty on the envelope!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      I agree — this wreath makes for a great envelope border! It’s so quick to make, too … the perfect watercolor project. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  7. Catherine Wells Avatar
    Catherine Wells
    April 2, 2016

    so pretty!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      Thanks so much, Catherine!

      Log in to Reply
  8. Theresa Labanara Avatar
    Theresa Labanara
    April 2, 2016

    Thank you, Lindsey, for your wonderful way of making me feel – “I can do this!”

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      Absolutely! And … you can!! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
  9. Nota Bene Avatar
    Nota Bene
    April 2, 2016

    Wonderful watercolour painting. You inspired me again! Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      It’s so easy, to — you won’t even believe it! 🙂 Thank you!

      Log in to Reply
  10. Bryonna Avatar
    Bryonna
    April 1, 2016

    Wonderful tutorial, Lindsey. Heading over to grab my watercolours now. Thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 5, 2016

      Yay!! I hope you enjoy making this! 🙂

      Log in to Reply
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🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around be 🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around because my kids love to color (right now, their pages of choice are K-Pop Demon Hunter-themed). While I’m always down for some adult coloring, I also love to letter with crayons! In the latest TPK tutorial — link in bio — you’ll learn how to make this cozy ombré wax crayon calligraphy. 🍁 Switch up the color scheme if you’re not a pumpkin spice person! This technique looks great with light blue, dark blue, and dark purple; or light green, dark green, and dark blue. #crayoncalligraphy #crayolacrayons #waxcrayons #adultcoloring #autumnart #cozylettering #handlettering #lettering
A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson 1 of the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (seriously, join us — enrollment is a *steal* at $5/month, and you get complimentary tutorials [that happen to complement the course] — link in bio)! People seemed to like the story in that clip, so here’s another fun story from the same lesson. Sorry, I can’t confirm who the client was! That was a project with an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). 🤐 Still: a very fun, very cool experience ... I’m grateful that calligraphy has given me cool adventures and connected me to such an amazing community. ✍️

#calligraphystory #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #beginnercalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy
Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraph Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course doesn’t actually start with the pointed pen! ✍️ Instead, we ease into it with faux calligraphy and then pencil calligraphy. Here’s a little preview of what the pencil calligraphy lesson looks like. ✏️

If you’ve been wanting to learn calligraphy, join us in this course. It is an absolute *steal* because it’s included with your TPK Premium membership ($5/month - cancel anytime). Once the course concludes in January, you can choose to purchase lifetime access to the videos; or just continue on with us to the next course. For more information, visit the link in my bio!

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pencilcalligraphy #blackwingpencil #pencilart #letteringart #handlettering #modernlettering #artisticletters #artisticlettering
I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Mode I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (🎉 JOIN US! link in profile for enrollment info!!) — and wanted to share this story from Lesson 1. In that lesson, we’ll chat about how to develop your motivation (this story is part of me sharing mine); and we’ll ease into our pointed pen experience with faux calligraphy and pencil calligraphy. Step by step, you’ll develop skills that will serve you for a lifetime ... and surprise and delight those around you, just like my “rent check envelopes” did! ✉️

#mailart #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #storytime #calligraphy #snailmail #snailmailrevolution
Some recipes aren’t just instructions — they’re memories on a page. 💛 I spent some time illustrating one of my favorites, and it turned into the sweetest (literally) keepsake. Calligraphy, watercolor, and a little patience bring the story of a dish to life.

If you’d like to try illustrating your favorite recipe, too, I shared the full process (with helpful printables) on the TPK Blog — link in bio. ✨

#illustratedrecipe #calligraphyart #watercolorillustration #creativeproject #keepsakeart #slowcreativity #handletteringlove #moderncalligraphy #calligraphyinspiration #watercolorart
As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recip As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recipe takes it one step further. ✨ In TPK’s latest tutorial (link in bio), I’ll show you how to create an illustrated chocolate lava cake recipe using watercolor. You’ll find helpful PDFs and step-by-step instructions so you can follow along — or use the layout to bring one of your own favorite dishes to life.

Frame it as keepsake art, or give it as a thoughtful handmade gift this holiday season. 🎁

#illustratedrecipe #watercolorart #calligraphycommunity #foodillustration #arttutorial #watercolortutorial #creativeprojects #handmadegifts #keepsakeart #thepostmansknock
✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesso ✨ One of the most beloved assignments from Lesson 5 of Hand Lettering 101 was this playful project: design an artistic alphabet where no two letters look the same.

The idea? JUST PLAY. 🎨 I used watercolor and a paintbrush, but many students grabbed markers, pens, or anything colorful on hand. The results were incredible — @adriennelovesletters gave it her own flair, Isabel C. made it three times, and Laura M. created a stunning version too. (You can peek at more inside the TPK Premium Discord!)

If you’re ready to try this project yourself, you’ll find the Hand Lettering 101 eCourse waiting in the TPK Catalog. Just head to the link in my bio to be taken to the TPK website. 💌

#handlettering #watercolorlettering #moderncalligraphy #letteringpractice #creativeplay #calligraphycommunity #artinspiration #calligraphyart #watercolorart #letterlove #tpkpremium #handlettering101
Had the best time writing the latest tutorial on t Had the best time writing the latest tutorial on the TPK Blog — “Drawing Lesson: Elegant Swallows” (🔗 link in bio). If you’ve never drawn birds before, swallows are an excellent place to start. Their shapes are simple once you break them down! ✍️ 

In the tutorial, you’ll find:

🪶 Step-by-step visual instructions for drawing swallows in four different movements
🪶 The “Hand-Drawn Swallows Cheat Sheet” PDF
🪶 A detailed tutorial for making the mail art shown here

On another note, I want to extend a huge THANK YOU to TPK Premium and Premium Plus members ... your support allows me to write cool detailed tutorials like this one. 🙏 You all are amazing, and I’m so proud of our community.

#mailart #snailmail #illustration #illustrationtutorial #drawingtutorial #drawinginstructions #birdart #swallowsart #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pointedpen
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