Painting Watercolor Greeting Cards and Trading Cards

Here's how I approach painting watercolor greeting cards and trading cards. Simple, quick and lots of fun. Make great gifts and are great practice too.
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[@earlrobinson4489]

Very good as usual Steve, I do lots of small w/colours, it's great practice for larger works. I buy second hand photo frames from the op shop, for a couple of dollars or so, clean them up a bit put a painting in them and hang them in the local coffee shop and it is popular with the tourists. I would like you to tell me more about your Patron thing, I would like to join you in the New Year.. Earl ( Australia )

[@mindofwatercolor]

Hi Earl. Great ideas for displaying and selling your work! Patreon is my donation/sponsorship site. Basically you just sign up for any amount you wish to support me with monthly and its automatically done. It can be as little as one dollar US. I have some thank you rewards for the $5 and up levels. Thanks for considering support. My "Minder Patrons" are making this channel happen now and thats no exaggeration. I count on them big time. Here is the link to my profile there patreon.com/mindofwatercolor

[@phyllisryan5831]

Angela

[@Ellencha107]

The Mind of Watercolor b

[@Mrs.P_23]

Phyllis Ryan m''m

[@alinserea4179]

Hi my friend. Congratulations on the wonderful video you shared. Very interesting, thanks for sharing, keep in touch. Wishing you much success with your work🥰💞.💗,💖.

[@mansigupta]

Every time he says that he's keeping it simple, my brain starts screaming - HOW IS THIS SIMPLE!!?? Any one of these "simple" pieces would be a masterpiece to me

[@Piwonia67]

It's like magic, you splash the paper with some colorful blobs, and you make a living landscape of it 😍

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

it's almost like magic, looking at all these pictures appearing from nowhere. just love it!

[@randyarwine8138]

Great video Steve! Yes, landscapes would be great as well.

[@susanhamilton1822]

You are so cool! :) You may be the only man I've ever seen who made his own cards.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thank you, but wow, thats sort of sad. Several gents who plan to try this have commented here.

[@susanhamilton1822]

That is good to hear. I don't know any artsy fellows personally. I wish I did.

[@halnewhouser1217]

hi Stev, I really enjoy watching the way you paint watercolor. Hal

[@artbyduck-darlenegillet1935]

Thank you Steve for the wonder ideas on how to make a small gift of art to Patrons and friends. Truly makes a wonderful keepsake. Cheers.

[@unrulymuse764]

Love you and your work so much. In awe of your skill and tickled by your humor. Thank you so much for the education and inspiration!

[@richardlumpkin4607]

As a musician I can tell you no truer words have been spoken. You preform like you practice and I am finding that to be ever so true with visual arts as well. I have taken that to heart this summer and I owe that connection to you Steve. I went to an art sale last weekend. I sold a number of acrylic paintings and for the first time ever I sold two watercolors. I was so proud and I owe the success to your instruction and inspiration. I’m going to try a couple of cards and maybe send them to the folks who purchased my paintings. Thank you so much for what you do and what you give to others. It’s a testament to who you really are. Thanks.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yeah, I bet as a musician you know exactly what I'm talking about. I took piano for six years as a youngster. The interest in practicing didn't stick. Later I played Trumpet then French Horn in our High School band. Enjoyed it too but again the practice/reward quotient was not to my liking. Would spend hours painting though and not even give it a thought. LOL! Great to hear about your success with the sale. Thats the feedback I love. Keep up the good work! One of these days we'll need to meet and have lunch or something since you're only down in North, GA (if I recall correctly)

[@richardlumpkin4607]

The Mind of Watercolor you are correct. I am just over the mountain from you and I agree totally about finding your grove as a youngster. Or maybe your grove finds you is better. Thanks for the reply and more than that thanks for the inspiration. You sir are a wonderful teacher. God bless and continued success.

[@gammahinAz]

Anyone would love getting one of your pieces of art in a card. Great idea and as always I like watching your creativity.

[@JamesPliny]

I do Christmas cards and always get great responses every year. Some of my wife's family say always look forward to getting them. For me that is what art is all about; the enjoyment it gives others. My joy comes from their appreciation.

[@sarahmethvinposs2118]

This is a perfect little quarantine activity-making cards to send to friends 😊

[@LilCraftyNook]

That’s what I do, except I haven’t traditionally done watercolor. Just did a set the other day!!

[@jerryaubill163]

I'm so glad you show these techniques. Love this, I am going to try this. Thank you for the videos. I'll have to find tutorials on using that quill brush!

[@rennieneasey-oconnell6064]

Just watched this again.... please Steve, more of this spontaneous watercolour? It makes my heart sing!

[@deeholler1]

You are so amazing how you can turn a blob of color into such a beautiful landscape.

[@rhondagdesignsrhondagwellm4337]

I've been doing watercolor post cards for a while. People love them

[@IpolaniSmith]

I love doing ATCs. Especially at Christmas. These are wonderful.

[@margaretannpackham923]

Simple... but magical. The magic of watercolour. Thank you so much for sharing your techniques. 👍

[@dianaadkins8877]

Thank you. I love to watch you paint. I am a beginner and love watching how you lay down the backgrounds. Fascinating!

[@22pvincent]

Every time a watch one of your videos I am so inspired to continue creating watercolor paintings of my own. Thanks so much for continuing to share your talent and your words of wisdom.

[@kathrynholden4223]

Everything is just wonderful! I like the idea of working so small. Less daunting and more chance to develop a style and process. Thanks, Steve!

[@ailishniriain787]

How lovely - lovely gentle pictures and a lovely gentle voice. Very restful. Thank you.

[@carollangman1163]

Wow...mini masterpieces, Loved your video have never seen those before...thankyou from the UK

[@berylrose3213]

What a great idea, the cards are amazing, Thank you God Bless

[@veaudor]

Your taping and dividing a page gave me an idea. I've been struggling with small studies in watercolor of skies in real time. The paper doesn't dry fast enough for me, so my colors are always getting messed up. Now I realize 2 things about rendering the fast changing landscape: paint small, paint in multiples, paint many multiples. Oh.. and.. paint until you faint!

[@arlenemurphy804]

Steve love this. Wanted to try some trading cards

[@suewilkinson910]

I love those little trading cards. The way you painted them was delightful.

[@donnalieblick8478]

Wonderful paintings and ideas.

[@flooklh]

Thank you Steve. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video. I have been making little miniatures for many years, so this was extra special for me. I make batches of 9 at a time. They make nice little gifts when mounted in a teeny mount, or stuck on coloured card. These were simply stunning, so colourful and really dainty with the tracery of branches... Thank you so much. You made my day.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Thanks and thanks for the cool ideas!

[@lisesheeba4156]

Love them all

[@lindas144hobbies]

I am so in love with those trading card paintings! I think this could be less intimidating than starting out on an A4 paper. Great inspiration! Thank you, Steve! 🙏🏻

[@louisebacon-ogden5032]

I have been watching you in more recent years. However, I watched some old tutorials and for sure want to try your "tiny" art pieces. Instead of just watching with my mouth opened in awe, I saw something that I just may try. The smallness caught my attention and seems less daunting. My first love was pen and ink so I also enjoy enhancing "dribbles" with pen. Watercolor was so scary. However, I am embracing the "splash" of water color with the detail of a pen. Thank you so much. LOUISE

[@waymire01]

When I first decided to start watercolor my goal was realistic botanical. It was quite overwhelming. One of my favorite painters said to not try to do an entire painting.. start with one leaf. Move on to one flower. When you are comfortable with that put the two together, then more complex work like multiple flowers or a bouquet. In the process I discovered I actually love working small. I've done a few 8x10 but really prefer to stay between 4x5 and 6x8. I found some landscape painters specializing in small work and picked up that as well. It forces you to either stay loose and suggestive since there simply isn't room to get stuck in detail, or really dial in on one specific subject that fills the page.. and I enjoy flipping between the two approaches. I've also done some geometric or abstracts and those are really fabulous for just clearing your mind. I like being able to complete the painting in a short amount of time and move on to the next, also it makes it much more cost effective to frame and easier to display. Once you add mat and frame they are still a nice size. Saves a ton on paper too so you can use the "good stuff" without as much expense or worry. A single 9x12 page is four 4x6 paintings, or two 6x9's. I'll break a single full sheet into sixteen 5x7's.

[@davidhooper9769]

Just attended my first water color class, at a art school, only to find out I need to find a good online water painting teacher . Ha ha it's your teaching and online classes. Thank you from Comox BC 🇨🇦

[@soniabrickell4268]

Such a lovely way to improve with watercolour 🙋🏻🎨🙋🏻🎨👍 will have a go

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Beautiful - I love the blue-purple ones - good exercise in monotonal paintings really as even though you use a few paints, you’re really painting just blue and getting the values right is so key - really useful exercise for everyone!

[@user-ex1xr9nc9i]

The Spin Doctor эх

[@user-um1mc4rn8x]

Мой лайк фантазии и мастерству художника! ❤

[@blessedbeone]

This is something I need to do! Love the loose background and building from there. I can't say enough about how enjoyable it is to watch you paint. I NEED to get my paints out.

[@waynec9576]

I'm so inspired by this. Thank you so much for sharing. The versatility of watercolor is quite limitless.

[@louisebacon-ogden5032]

I have seen your more recent tutorials. I am in awe watching you paint. I started with pen and ink and LOVE detail. However, I made a mess with water color. Watching you splatter the base in water color and THEN add detail! Wow! This one was rather old but so much more enticing to try. These small art pieces were not so intimidating. Glad I dug into the past. I may start with a scribble in water color and then use pen. THEN I will try again and add more paint!

[@Kandicookheller]

You blow me away with your mad skills. I am just a beginner, having just picked up a paintbrush last year and I try to find time to paint or watch a video every day. Art is my new passion, having been a nurse my whole life. I love watching you and I hope to learn much from you. But coming from Vermont where foliage is our most beautiful thing, I will share with you midwesterners that is DOES have three syllables and that I in the word is NOT silent....ha! You can paint it darling, but I can SAY it. I look forward to trying your amazing techniques and my hat's off to you Steve.

[@THEMAYQUEEN1]

What a fantastic idea 💡

[@iamdawt]

These are so lovely. I'm a beginner with watercolor, so this was extra inspiring to me. I love making cards and ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), so this was right up my alley. I've made mixed media ATCs with acrylics, stamping, collaging, and some watercoloring, and find tiny art very much to my liking. You make it look so doable, thank you.

[@maggiedoor6093]

I have been making 7" X 9" watercolour cards for family and friends for a while so I enjoyed your video. I always mount them on coloured card stock to compliment the painting leaving 1/4" mat. I take a photo and print a copy as it's nice for reference later. I usually do two side by side too. I could never get the 1/4" border straight around the painting. Now I use a scoring tool on all the sides that I use for my regular card making , it gives me a mark to guide the tape evenly. My scoring tool also creates envelopes.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Cool, thanks for the input!

[@barbieb6897]

You make it look so easy

[@Gigiridgway]

Thank you for sharing, beautiful work

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

😊 Excited I found this channel. I love WC ATCs & other small cards. Subscribed ❤

[@plants53]

Wow, just love, love, love seeing you paint these cards and trading cards, beautiful Steve.

[@karenblevins1562]

Wow! These are awesome, thanks for the tutorial, as a artist who started in very realistic detailed drawings, and oil and acrylics paintings. My biggest challenge in water color is staying loose and trying to not overwork it. You are a master! So glad I found you. Subscribed ❤

[@brendamerrill1692]

That was so awesome, I love them! ❤❤❤❤

[@joank8370]

I have to tell you how much I enjoyed this. I needed inspiration to make original gift tags for the holidays. Thank you!

[@essietangle9931]

As we age, abilities wain and mutate. This has giving me lots of ideas, thank you very much for this video. Hey we all are going to go through changes, might as well enjoy and explore new things. Thank you. Essie.

[@BarbaraGilbertdesigner]

Love this, what a great way to practice spontaneous painting. I am trying to learn how to paint very loosely and I find it more difficult than painting a study.....

[@LilCraftyNook]

Gorgeous!! That was my original plan when I started making cards-to do watercolor. 😄

[@babyfish1083]

they r so beautiful!!!

[@roxanneklinger3828]

Man you are really talented. Love it.

[@rebeccawong1]

Love them all👍🏻

[@AUGUSTALLEN28]

You're a master of watercolor. You make it look so easy.

[@Florence4462]

Gorgeous!!! What a great ideal! I love your cards and how you go from a background wash to more detailed scenery. Love those rigger branches! Thank you Steve! I started watercolour 3 years ago and recently came across your channel. Absolutely love what you do and your humour (and Reese). Thank you so much for being such a fun-loving person and an inspiration!!

[@gaylemelvin7796]

I really enjoyed your video and instruction. The color combinations were just great and I liked the openness and looseness.

[@BrandeArno]

Great Job. I got inspired! I especially like the use of baseball card holders for protecting artist's trading cards.

[@kentst8956]

Many Mini Masterpieces! LOVE this!

[@MaryPrasadArt]

Card makers usually use foam mounting tape in rolls to cover the back more fully so the card image won’t get mashed in the mail. You could also use a slightly smaller rectangle (maybe an eighth of an inch smaller than the image) of Fun Foam (kid’s crafts) adhered to the back of the image.

[@mindofwatercolor]

👌

[@missjameequilts]

thank you for these inspirational videos...i am getting closer to actually trying watercolor. the concept of doing a bunch of little paintings intrigues me...

[@debracarty3100]

Such a cool idea!!!!

[@yunzers]

I love how you enjoy your painting so much. Very inspiring. Thank you.

[@maryriley6163]

I love your greeting and trading cards. Great work with the rigger. I just don't have the hang of getting nice branches with it, but I'm observing how you use one and trying to emulate. Thanks for that demonstration, it's like gold!

[@iameowyn]

EXTRA blown away by this one, Steve! Thank you so much for sharing all your skill and knowledge.

[@cheryl7476]

Thanks, Steve. Great ideas for cards, and thanks for showing us how to add layers.

[@HeikeX]

I just started with watercolor and I really like your tutorials. The cards a great and I definitely will try to create the Trading Cards. Thanks a lot!

[@maryanharrell5642]

Thanks, Steve! Last year I made Christmas cards that were Christmas themed, but this year, I think I will send these little studies, if I can pull them off. I am looking forward to trying! What a great video. I ALWAYS learn from you!

[@tracykruger1954]

Just found your channel! Can’t wait to try some of your techniques!

[@kathytsang790]

Thanks your video. Enjoy to watching and I learn a lot.

[@berylrose3213]

Really enjoyed watching you paint These little pictures. I like the Orange and brown colouring looks Like autumn. Thank you. God Bless The earth is the Lord's and Everything in it.

[@taylorjudi]

The trading cards look like so much fun to paint. i won't expect mine to look like yours, but I can't wait to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.

[@joannuhn7816]

I have watched many of your videos now and am continuously inspired. Your instruction, slow and easy, is wonderful. Thank you

[@raininglands8434]

Awesome tips, very inspiring!

[@Jewel0195]

Loved this!

[@KristinaBowman]

I love these!!!

[@graciousmom4127]

Love the idea!

[@thrivesurvive]

I love your work. I could watch all day.

[@windywednesday4166]

Very nice. What a great idea... I know you did this 5 years ago, but it is perfect for me right now. Thank you.

[@kellywhalen6232]

Love your work! Starts out what looks like I’m not sure into a beautiful card. Thank you for sharing.

[@wanttolearnreidy4469]

I was so interested and intrigued with your mini little masterpieces that I forgot I was baking a cake....OOOps !! caught it just in time.

[@mindofwatercolor]

I'll take my piece with some coffee thanks! 😂😉

[@sandrahurst2794]

Thank you, Steve, for sharing these techniques and ideas as I have not tried them...but will do so now!! Your KZbin tutorials are so very inspiring for me as a beginner watercolorist! Please keep up the wonderful help for us beginners! Joyfully...~Sandie

[@orlane219]

Thank you so much for sharing. They are beautiful and spontaneous painting and very good exercise to do.

[@jeanettecook1088]

Just found your site... great little projects! = new sub, thank you. 🎉

[@JaneArtsyOtternutKirkwood]

Love these Steve! Beautiful and as you say, very fantasy-styled...gorgeous!

[@writingraven3314]

These are so beautiful. I was inspired and tried a couple of my own. One turned out very well, for someone without any art training whatsoever. Thank you for sharing your work and techniques.

[@petesauer9729]

Fantastic, I enjoy watching you paint.. I've been painting my own Christmas cards for the past 30 years.

[@winnienelson1570]

Steve, thank you for a very timely demonstration. I paint Christmas cards for my family as well. I have this year's design, but have not decided how to express the trees. The spontaneous trees will be perfect!

[@reneelogan2947]

one of my favorite tutorial you have done..love the freedom your loose perfection..Your attention to details...thanks for sharing your art.. magnificent!!!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Very kind thanks!

[@lulugregory3246]

I absolutely love how these all turned out... and what a fabulous idea. I’m pretty new to all this, so I actually love the trading card size idea just for practicing the different techniques... I may just have a go at something like this!

[@philiplockwood255]

Thank you Steve for your Gracious reply and Understanding. You are a Real Star : )

[@maryriley6163]

I love your little cards! I have done colored pencil trading cards for a number of years. I have a small following but I feel that my work is getting stale and I'm trying to get good enough with the watercolors to at least do some of the backgrounds in watercolor and maybe the foreground in ink and colored pencil. Thank you for this tutorial.

[@RiffDevin]

really great ideas thanks. I'm inspired

[@greendancingshoes]

Love these!!!

[@VanmeterFL]

I always get such a kick from your videos! Thanks!

[@Coratison]

That skull with the hat made me smile :)

[@audreydewar1108]

Great direction -- a flash of background turns into a beautiful card - - thanks for sharing