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Monday, April 18, 2011

inspiration monday


i love using watercolor pencils, but one thing that i noticed right away is the color of the pencil isn't always the exact color that goes onto the paper!  so here's a paint-chip system that i've been using for a while now.....they're super easy to make, and all you need is your paints, scraps of watercolor paper, your waterbrush or paintbrush and cup of water, a pencil, scissors, glue or double-sided tape and some popsicle sticks.



draw a square for each of your colors onto your watercolor paper.  paint each square using one color.  i like to put more color at the top and less at the bottom so i know how the color looks both as a dark and a light.



label each color.  you can leave your swatches as they are, and you'll have a great color reference......


but i like to cut mine out......


and mount them onto popsicle sticks using a dab of glue or double-sided tape.  this way i can mix and match and see exactly what they look like right next to each other.  it makes choosing your color palette really fun, and you'll be amazed at how many fabulous color combinations you discover!



plus, your entire collection will look so cute all tucked in a glass jar......
kind of like a rainbow-paint-chip-inspiration-bouquet smiling at you!


you can use this technique for your watercolor paints, acrylics, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons, and any other color media you enjoy working in!




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37 comments:

  1. RobinApril 18, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Oooohhh!! Love this idea!! Can't wait to try it!!

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  2. nacherluverApril 18, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Great idea!

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  3. Sue KApril 18, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    This is a great idea Lori! I have so many WC pencils and this way I can see what colors I want to use before putting on paper.
    Happy Monday!
    hugs, Sue K

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  4. mama bleuApril 18, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    I absolutely love this idea. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. UnknownApril 18, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    what a FABULOUS idea!! And now I have a use for that GIANT box of popsicle sticks I bought for my daughter a few years ago... thank you, thank you!

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  6. Alexandra MacVeanApril 18, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    You're incredibly brilliant, Lori! Seriously! :) Thanks for another great kick-start to our Monday! :)

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  7. EdenApril 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Love your system!! Good idea about making it dark and light....must remember that!!
    You smart girl, you :D

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  8. DianaApril 18, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    what a fantastic idea!!!!

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  9. Jody MeeseApril 18, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Brilliant, Lori! Can't wait to start making a jar of those lovely watercolor lollipops!

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  10. KimApril 18, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    this is such a brilliant idea! I love it- thank you :)

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  11. SonjaApril 18, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Loove this idea, will copy it right away :) I've just bought my first Inktense pencils and I realy need a system like this :)
    Thank you, you're so nice to share it.

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  12. Cynthia SchelzigApril 18, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    I have always made paint chips of alll the colors of every color I own but I just love the stick idea and look at that beautiful "bouquet" of colors. I am going to make myself a bouquet for my table:)....thanks for the inspiration!

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  13. LuckyDogApril 18, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    That is one gorgeous bouquet-- and it never needs watering! Love it! XOXO, Donna :)

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  14. LisaApril 18, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    cool idea!

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  15. Chriss America RealApril 18, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    What a cute idea! love it!

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  16. Kelly WarrenApril 18, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    oh, the jar makes it, Lori! what a great idea. it's just fun to look at!

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  17. Megan CoyleApril 18, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    what a great idea :)

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  18. PatApril 18, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Brilliant! And I just bought a waterbrush too.

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  19. Kathryn ZbrzeznyApril 18, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Are you a genius or do you just play one on TV? I LOVE this! Maybe I can actually do this since I'm on vacation this week....? oooh , I really want to (I ate a chocolate covered Peep and thought of you today, lori!)

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  20. Kathy McCreedyApril 18, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    What an absolutely charming idea! I took a watercolor workshop this weekend and making a color chart with our watercolors was a suggestion. But none of the charts I've seen were nearly as cute as yours! And I love the idea of being able to put colors together that would not be anywhere near each other on the color chart (in the typical wheel format). Great idea! (Thank you, btw, for leaving such kind comments on my site).

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  21. UnknownApril 19, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    This is a fantastic idea! I have been dabbling with my watercolor pencils only a little bit, but I hope that once we get our place, and are out of this itty bitty hotel room, that I can play some more!

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  22. Claire MApril 19, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    What a clever and lively idea!! Looks so cute!!

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  23. barbi D (2becreative)April 19, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Love this and will doing this very soon! I think it will be very inspiring to look and all the colors I have available to me.

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  24. shibori girlApril 19, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Hey Lori!

    Your wonderful jar of "popsicles" look so enticing... and delicious! ;)

    hugs,

    Kate

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  25. wendypApril 19, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    what a great idea!!! Plus they just look so pretty together in that mason jar!

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  26. JancalligrapherApril 19, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    What a cute idea. Popsicle sticks, so inventive. It looks so cute, like little flowers. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. RobinApril 19, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Thank you so much for checking out my blog!! The bowl you liked says Love and Kisses on the inside and Strawberries and Cream on the outside. Unfortunately, I think it was a discontinued item when I bought. I sure do love Emma Bridgewater though. AND I love your blog!!! Your style of artwork is right up my alley!!!

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  28. Heather GraceApril 19, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    What a great idea! And I just picked up the perfect cup to put them in. You are truly an inspiration and I just love your artwork. It is so fun and your techniques and ideas are wonderful to try. Thank you so much for sharing!!

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  29. CreateologyApril 20, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    I love what you have done with making your color samples of your watercolors. Then mounting them on sticks and being able to enjoy a wonderful "bouquet" of art. Happy inspiration...

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  30. TrishApril 20, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Love it ;)

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  31. Paula - Buenos AiresApril 22, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    Super cool idea! And it looks lovely too.

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  32. NellyApril 22, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    This is a fantastic idea. I may have to do this. Thank you for the tip!

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  33. AtticelfApril 25, 2011 at 1:46 AM

    Those look so pretty all together - like yummy little lollipops. :)

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  34. Jennifer DeDonatoApril 28, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    This is wonderful...such a great idea and so pretty!

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  35. Tammie LeeMay 9, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    this is a wonderful idea and lovely to look at. thank you.

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  36. Betty JoJuly 17, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    What a brilliant idea! I love this!! ♥

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  37. EllaDecember 19, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    You are so clever! I love this, thank you for sharing! :D

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