Artist Stacy Oakley shows you how to create your own watercolour calligraphy border in this simple tutorial.
This tutorial is perfect for beginners, doesn't require a lot of product and can be adapted to any celebration, from weddings, baby showers, and birthday parties!
So, what are you waiting for? Get your pens ready and lets go!
You will need:
- Mnauscript Modern Calligraphy Set
- Aquabrush Markers
- Black acrylic ink
- Oil based Marker (as an alternative to acrylic ink)
- Watercolour Paper of choice
- Vinyl or acetate sheet (a food bag will even work!)
Step 1
Using your dip pen and acrylic ink, draw 4 flowers at top, middle and each side of your piece of paper. If you have another theme you can replace your flowers with stars, hearts, or shapes to suit your theme. You can also use an oil based marker which wont cause any smudging in the later steps.
Step 2
Fill the gaps with different floral illustrations using your dip pen and ink. Really use this time to express yourself and how you want your design to look. Again, you can also use an oil based marker which wont cause any smudging in the later steps.
Step 3
Using the Aquabrush Markers, colour random sections of any shiny surface (vinyl, freezer bags and laminating pouches work well!). Use as many or little colours as you want, we would recommend using at least 3 colours to create a lovely effect.
Step 4
Make sure your border is completely dry first because you don't want your design to smudge. Then, using a brush, cover your piece with small droplets of water.
Step 5
Place your shiny surface on top of your water droplets and smudge.
Step 6
Use your Aquabrush markers to fill in any flowers. We used different colours and a wet brush to add some tone.
Step 7
Using your dip pen and nib, write your message in a calligraphy style of your choice.
And there you have it, your complete watercolour border piece. We have used a modern calligraphy script for our design but you can use any style whether its copperplate, italic, textura, brush or even hand lettering! Get creative and see what you come up with!
