This DIY Watercolor Art is easy to create – no painting experience required! Best part of all? It’s easy, affordable, and totally customizable.
DIY Watercolor Art
Watercolors are really hot right now – and I love the soft touch they add to your home décor. You may think you need to be an artist to create a beautiful print for your home, but watercolors are so easy to work with that anyone can create great art. I created this “home” piece in less than half an hour and it is easy to recreate and customize.
To create your own home state/province watercolor print, here’s what you’ll need:
- Watercolor paper (two pieces, at least 8×10 in size)
- watercolor paints (and small paint pots if using liquid tube paints)
- Paint brush
- Paper trimmer or scissors
- Cricut Explore (or similar digital cutting machine)
- Silhouette (outline) image of your home state or province
- Glue pen or double sided tape
The first step is to cut your watercolor paper down to size. I am using a 8×10 frame, so I cut my paper to fit the frame. You can do a 4×6 or 5×7 frame easily as well, just size your paper and images accordingly.
Keep one of the thicker strips, and throw the rest of the excess paper away.
Now on to the paint. Watercolors come in several options – I had only seen the tray of cake paints that you add water by using the brush, but when I went to buy some at Michaels, I discovered these liquid tubes. You can add a dab of paint to the small pot and add as much or as little water as you would like depending on how strong you would like the color.
Pick two colors that will blend nicely together. I chose blue and green, which would blend into a blue green in the middle. Once you have your two colors mixed to your desired consistencies, paint one end green and one end blue.
Then, slowly pull the colors together to blend in the middle. Just blend like you would with a makeup brush.
Put the strip aside, and start painting the big piece of watercolor paper. It will dry a little darker than it seems when you first paint it on.
Next, it’s time to cut the province or state outline out of the other page. The easiest way to do this is to use a Cricut Explore. Most states and provinces can be found in the image stores for the machine, but if not, search for a silhouette or outline and upload it in the software.
Also, on the smaller strip that you painted, cut out the word “home” (I used the font Glamour Brush).
The last step is to assemble it all in the frame. Using a glue pen or double sided tape, stick the “home” word onto the plain piece of paper that had the outline cut out of it. Place this piece face down in the frame, and then place the paper that you painted on top of it.
Place the backing on the frame and you’re done. Wasn’t that quick? Now all there is to do is find a perfect home for it! I love the blend from green to blue and the watercolors are so soft and breezy. It reminds me of my island home, which is exactly what I was hoping for. Give it a shot – and if you do, be sure to share it with me on Instagram – you can find me at @simplycraftedlife. Hope to see you there!
Jenny Kavanagh says
Very clever and pretty. I really like how you used the silhouette machine! – Jenny
M K B says
Sarah,
I just ran across your site. First I want to extend my, thank you so much appreciation to for being military family. Second I want to show my appreciation to your family’s contribution to help make us safe.
I am a senior citizen from Bainbridge Island, Washington. Over the many years of my adult life I have always wanted to and tried to draw and paint. This is first time I felt painting as actually possible for me.
So third; thank you thank you for all you do and I’m going to follow your directions.
And I am going to give something back to our military families. There is a navy family neighbor I am going to reach and find out how to support the military in some way.
Thank you again. Hope you actually get some free time and don’t have to teach or go to school this summer!
Very sincerely,
Mary Kathleen
Sarah says
Aww thank you Mary Kathleen! Those are some very kind and sweet sentiments and it really made my day. Good luck with the painting – I have faith you can do it 🙂 And also thank you so much for your support of the military – it is appreciative citizens like you that keep our families going!