i love using watercolor pencils, but one thing 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.
first, draw a square for each of your colors onto your watercolor paper
and 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.
now, 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 watercolor paints, acrylics, watercolor pencils,
watercolor crayons, and any other color media you enjoy working in!}
***
{i'm currently on a little bloggy break......
this is an encore presentation of a post
originally featured on april 18, 2011}
15 comments:
some of the best posts
are the elvie studio re-posts
xXx
I did this after I read the original post and it's been an invaluable tool. Mine don't look as pretty as yours, but they're effective. And, the spray of gorgeous colours on my desktop is delicious!
Carolynn
A Glowing Ember
My art bench is getting pretty crowded, but I think I have room to add one more thing. I did make pencil samples in a notebook, but I like the idea of having them on the popsicle sticks... having the opportunity to pull colors and decide if they make the statement I want to make. I thought I had a free day to really dig in and make a small book. Question: When you make your small books do you use paper from an 18 x 24 pad? I'm so hesitant to tear into my very large sheets. So much to learn and it's a bit scary at first. ~Joni Possin
What a great idea….I must have forgotten about this post. Going to do this today. I think I'll also do this same thing for my Neo II color's as well….you're so darn clever…thanks for sharing and I hope you're enjoying whatever it is you're doing!
Siempre me sorprendes con ideas tan sencillas como originales! Me encanta!! Besos.
hi joni! one of the great things about making your own books is you can put any paper you have inside! i don't like to tear into my large sheets either, so many times i'll use a paper pad, just as you suggested. but sometimes, it's more economical to tear up the large sheet….it all depends on the project. i also have a couple of journals that include several different types of paper, like grid paper, lined paper, watercolor paper, sketch paper, etc. the only problem is once you get started making them, you don't want to stop! :))
Great idea! Thanks for posting this. :)
this is a fabulous idea!!!
I've been lurking here for a while, totally in love with your work. You must have read my mind as I was going to do up some sample sheets of all my watercolour pencils this Easter long weekend. Putting them on popsicle sticks is an awesome idea.
I love this idea. I have so many supplies, Copic markers, watercolors, acrylics, pastels. It would be so much easier to have a palette set up to choose from before committing a color to paper. Thanks for sharing.
I did this after seeing it here. Just makes me smile to see them. I keep them in a white demitasse mug that I used a purple Sharpie to doodle all over. Thanks for a terrific idea! Love your happy site!
I did this after seeing it here. Just makes me smile to see them. I keep them in a white demitasse mug that I used a purple Sharpie to doodle all over. Thanks for a terrific idea! Love your happy site!
This is a brilliant idea. I can see many uses for this! So glad this is a re-post because I missed it or it just didn't sink in the first time! Thank you!
I adore your bouquet! This would also make such a cute and practical gift for the budding artist. A set of pencils, a watercolor paper pad and a beautiful bouquet of popsicle posies. Creative Encore Bliss and Thank You Dear...
I don't paint...but I think I would love to make these just to display. They would be such a happy touch to my desk.
Hope you're enjoying your break!!
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