In 2016 at age 69, I taught myself to paint with acrylics. I am 74 yrs old now. There are so many great artists on RUclips to learn styles and techniques. I remember back in the beginning I painted cards since I wanted to "practice" on small pieces. Then I jumped to 5x7 and then 8x10 paper. Now I finally use canvas. But if I have not painted in awhile I go back to paper. Then if it turns out really nice I do a second one on canvas. I certainly could paint these cards with watercolors. You did a beautiful job creating them. God bless you... Dawn
Marilyn - I haven't attempted a watercolor in about 40 years - but she gives me so much confidence that I feel that I can. 😁 What's the worst thing that can happen... it ends up in the trash can? If so, I will just start a new one 😊
This was a great video. The designs are so simple. I am just starting out and I am heavy handed and tense. You make it look so soft and fluid. I will dive in and practice. The way you blended the paint to get the color you wanted was very helpful. Thank you so much.
I need to stop watching crafting videos late a night, now i'm convinced I can watercolour. Time to move my clay, knitting needles, loom, embroidery ring and sewing machine aside lmao.
Because Watercolor paper is not cheap, I didn't have the courage to make full-sized cards. Instead, I used 2" x 2" pieces of scrap W/C paper. Now I have an assortment of wonderful gift tags, AND I know how to make pine cones which I can use on the Christmas wreath I am planning to paint soon. Thank you, Emma Jane! I am a real fan!
I found a children's version at Michaels. It wasn't as nice as the expensive one, but it has texture and was under 5.00. in the kids section of crafts, not in the water color or mixed media section. Perfect for cards.
I so loved watching you paint these cards. I am going to give them a try. I am a new painter at 74 years old. I shake also and Em grateful for the hint about moving your arm and not your wrist.
I love your tutorial so much. So elated when you said 'there's no cheating in art, just do whatever feels best' ❤️ An art teacher once told me that unsteady hand & frequent moving of paper equates 'not a good artist'. It felt too suffocating & exclusive & not fun. So, thank you a million times for encouraging words & tutorials ❤️
I'm a very pseudo painter but I've never used watercolors. Your technique is simple but AMAZING! I learned a lot and can't wait to try this. Thank you so very much, Emma! You're WAY talented.
I really love how you explain what you are doing. In some other people's tutorials, they just tell you what colour and since I'm a beginner, its going way too fast for me. I love your art as well!
I’m in awe of you creating such a stunning piece of artwork for each person on their cards. I do hope they appreciate the amazing amount of love and work you put into their cards. Absolutely gorgeous
I've been trained to do old-school architectural perspectives and our go-to watercolour paints is Prang. I still think these are the best affordable watercolour sets ever!
At 70 yrs. y. I STILL have my last Prang (8 color, metal case) set, purchased when I was in h.s. I’ll need to see about purchasing this set, as I, too, enjoy this brand.
When your favorite RUclips watercolor artist mentions your favorite RUclips illustrator 😆😆 I love you and Shayda and your channels for the same reasons: you guys make watercolor and drawing so simple and give confidence to people with minimal skill (like myself lol) that they can create something beautiful ❤️ Plus your mottos go hand-in-hand, things don't need to be perfect- imperfections make things interesting! Thank you for this lovely tutorial! 😊
All three of these are great cards for beginner artists! They are simple but still so pretty and sophisticated that we can be proud to send them out. Thanks so much for the inspiration. 🥰
I would just cut the good watercolor paper to the size I need for the front then, fold card stock in half and use double sided tape or a Google glue stick attach to the dried and finished card front to the main card base.( Every time I Try to do it on a folder piece, And smudge it up!🥴🤦🏼♀️ plus my budget will not allow me to waste good watercolor paper )
These look really effective and inexpensive and with the cost of cards these days, sounds like a very good alternative to buying them and it adds a personal touch to the cards you give at Christmas.
So neat to see so many comments from ones in my age group(70s) and younger. I’ve always wanted to learn so why not!? I can draw a stick figure so maybe I can do a stem!!🙂
I like the way you painted the twigs. Then after covering them mostly with red berries you said that it doesn't matter if you cover them up, explaining that they were giving you an idea of where you wanted the berries. Great design and composition tips. Thank you!
Emma, these are simply gorgeous!!! You’ve definitely got me excited to try making my own! I love your style and thanks for these tutorials...I really look forward to them!!!
You, 30 minutes later: Three ridiculously beautiful cards that you'd be proud to send. Easy peasy. Me, 3 hours later: I have no more hair but do have a sloppy watercolor mess on soaked paper. Even my dog left the room in shame.
Festive watercolor illustrations are more like espresso, the simpler the better... especially the golden one line frame, it’s like those ring on small coffee cups.
I love your philosophy "don't stress over perfection". I've just started watercolor and I feel the dynamic medium of water (a mind of its own!) can really help me with my perfectionism. And you go sooo fast! Were you afraid your adorable toddler was going to wake up? Haha! Thank you!!
I love that too, don't stress over perfection. None of us are perfect. Also few decades ago Christmas turned into Holiday for religious reasons. Instead of being a critic, red berries show up better than white on white paper. Maybe some one glued holly berries to their new plant: Mistletoe Holly. Just enjoy and say thank you.
Very pretty cards! Eager to try to make some of my own now! Thanks! You are a good teacher too. Very calm and confident. A pleasure to listen to and watch!!
You make this look easy! I grew up making homemade cards but haven't done any in a long time. Never tried using watercolors to make cards. Yours turned out so beautiful, think I'll give it a try. Thanks for some great instructions!
I’ve watched this so many times and made each project a few times. Thank you for the instructions. They are easy to follow and it’s such a nice finished project
Seeing your techniques of watercolour really helped me a lot. i used to paint, only using the colours on my palette, without mixing them. It wasn't such a good choice because now I see that your colours are different and awesome. Also, I never knew anything about water, so my "paintings" would always have those leaky things that I did not like. Thank you so much for your great art
If you burnish your fold it will lay beautifully. I never used to but learned how professional it makes my cards and projects. I do paper crafting I am going to try you technique. I did enjoy your vlog, very easy to follow. Beautiful projects. 💖💖💖👍👍👍
Love these! Makes me want to abandon my stamped and colored pencil holiday cards that are taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R and give water coloring a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
Watched your other card video too. I like your simple water color instructions. Plenty of room for everyone to work out their own style. Thanks for showing these techniques.
Emma, hi and thank you for sharing your talent with us. I've been doing watercolor for a while again now, taking a break from pastel. Your designs are quite pretty and your teaching style very easy to follow.
I to am just getting into water colors. I have wanted to do this for years but it imitated me. I just jumped in and love it. I loved your beautiful cards and they looked really easy. I'm glad i found your channel!
I love your cards and you make it look so easy to do! I'm definitely going to make some Christmas cards like this! Thank you Emma, you are fun to watch.
Love these ideas, I gave the first one a go... Even mixed the paints as suggested, really pleased with the outcome for first attempt! Took about 20 mins. Definitely want to make more.😊😊😊👍
I love the cards! Although I don’t think the first one is mistletoe because of the red berries (and not white). I absolutely love it! Especially because these are simple to do, well at least you explain it so easily. I will try it! Also, good to add “don’t overthink it!”, it’s like you know me!
You are amazing! I love this tutorial! You make this look as though I might actually be able to do it! I'm so anxious to learn water coloring and you are an inspiration for sure!
An amazing tutorial with a very calm and forgiving instructor. I completely enjoyed this as my first attempt back into painting since.......it has been over a decade. Easy, simple, step by step. Obtainable materials. Most of all the freedom to make mistakes and keep moving on. I adore how my cards turned out. I am now doing origami folding to make envelopes then I will be sending my home made cards!
So enjoy you and Shayda both having enjoyed learning from you both. It’s been fun seeing so many greeting cards tutorials and trying my hand at them. Thank u again for sharing ur work and tips with us!
Thanks for a great video; all three cards were delightful.. I am most grateful for the tip using your arm instead of your wrist. Your color mixing was great also! 💕
In 2016 at age 69, I taught myself to paint with acrylics. I am 74 yrs old now. There are so many great artists on RUclips to learn styles and techniques. I remember back in the beginning I painted cards since I wanted to "practice" on small pieces. Then I jumped to 5x7 and then 8x10 paper. Now I finally use canvas. But if I have not painted in awhile I go
back to paper. Then if it turns out really nice I do a second one on canvas.
I certainly could paint these cards with watercolors.
You did a beautiful job creating them. God bless you... Dawn
I am brand new to watercolouring and really enjoyed the Christmas cards....75 years old!
Fabulous. Thanks so much! These are precious and nice and simple. Love them and Happy Holidays to you.
Hi, I’m 70 and going to try this out. Looks so fun.
Marilyn - I haven't attempted a watercolor in about 40 years - but she gives me so much confidence that I feel that I can. 😁 What's the worst thing that can happen... it ends up in the trash can? If so, I will just start a new one 😊
And I am 73 and going to try.😂😂
This was a great video. The designs are so simple. I am just starting out and I am heavy handed and tense. You make it look so soft and fluid. I will dive in and practice. The way you blended the paint to get the color you wanted was very helpful. Thank you so much.
I need to stop watching crafting videos late a night, now i'm convinced I can watercolour. Time to move my clay, knitting needles, loom, embroidery ring and sewing machine aside lmao.
already done lol :P trust me if i can do it so can you with Emma
Oh that’s totally me! 💁🏼♀️
LOL
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
And I’m convinced that anyone can watercolor! 😝 a very therapeutic hobby imo 🥰
Thank you !
Thank you so much!! ❤️❤️❤️
Because Watercolor paper is not cheap, I didn't have the courage to make full-sized cards. Instead, I used 2" x 2" pieces of scrap W/C paper. Now I have an assortment of wonderful gift tags, AND I know how to make pine cones which I can use on the Christmas wreath I am planning to paint soon. Thank you, Emma Jane! I am a real fan!
I found a children's version at Michaels. It wasn't as nice as the expensive one, but it has texture and was under 5.00. in the kids section of crafts, not in the water color or mixed media section. Perfect for cards.
I’m just learning about & how to paint with watercolour. I enjoyed your wreath & branches video.😊
"There's no cheating in art." Love it!
Prof. Cecily Cogsworth Practice practice practice! 😆
There is a fun little book. "Steal Like An Artist."
I recommend it!
I so loved watching you paint these cards. I am going to give them a try. I am a new painter at 74 years old. I shake also and Em grateful for the hint about moving your arm and not your wrist.
I love your tutorial so much. So elated when you said 'there's no cheating in art, just do whatever feels best' ❤️
An art teacher once told me that unsteady hand & frequent moving of paper equates 'not a good artist'.
It felt too suffocating & exclusive & not fun.
So, thank you a million times for encouraging words & tutorials ❤️
Lovely, lovely, a very masterly lesson, attractive simplicity. Thanks.
I'm a very pseudo painter but I've never used watercolors. Your technique is simple but AMAZING! I learned a lot and can't wait to try this. Thank you so very much, Emma! You're WAY talented.
These cards are really elegant and they feel so easy to make❤
I really love how you explain what you are doing. In some other people's tutorials, they just tell you what colour and since I'm a beginner, its going way too fast for me. I love your art as well!
Love the inspiration I get from watching your tutorials. Thank you.
I’m in awe of you creating such a stunning piece of artwork for each person on their cards. I do hope they appreciate the amazing amount of love and work you put into their cards. Absolutely gorgeous
I liked them and will paint them. Thanks.
Like anyone who has mastered their craft you make it look effortless. These are beautiful.
Beautiful work love your tutorials let’s celebrate all holidays with watercolour cards
I've been trained to do old-school architectural perspectives and our go-to watercolour paints is Prang. I still think these are the best affordable watercolour sets ever!
I have loved Prang since childhood, and they are the best of the cheap watercolors.
At 70 yrs. y. I STILL have my last Prang (8 color, metal case) set, purchased when I was in h.s. I’ll need to see about purchasing this set, as I, too, enjoy this brand.
Watching with my hubby! He’s impressed by your speed and straight lines.
Thanks for the tutorial!
When your favorite RUclips watercolor artist mentions your favorite RUclips illustrator 😆😆 I love you and Shayda and your channels for the same reasons: you guys make watercolor and drawing so simple and give confidence to people with minimal skill (like myself lol) that they can create something beautiful ❤️ Plus your mottos go hand-in-hand, things don't need to be perfect- imperfections make things interesting! Thank you for this lovely tutorial! 😊
Love both Emma and Shayda and watch all their tutorials...Canadian artists rock!
And creationsceecee is great too! Also from Canada 🇨🇦🙂 I watch all three plus two more.
Ditto 🙋🏻♀️❤️ !
Wonderful lesson on drawing leaves, pine needles and pinecones using watercolors !
All three of these are great cards for beginner artists! They are simple but still so pretty and sophisticated that we can be proud to send them out. Thanks so much for the inspiration. 🥰
I love these cards and look forward to to making some! I could watch you all day! Your son is precious! Take care!
Your colour mixing is very helpful too as I’d never have thought of the combinations you used. Thank you 😁
Erika's Turquoise Feather It truly helps to revisit past “color theory” classes with her mixing techniques!
I would just cut the good watercolor paper to the size I need for the front then, fold card stock in half and use double sided tape or a Google glue stick attach to the dried and finished card front to the main card base.( Every time I
Try to do it on a folder piece, And smudge it up!🥴🤦🏼♀️ plus my budget will not allow me to waste good watercolor paper )
You are a great teacher! Thank you.
These look really effective and inexpensive and with the cost of cards these days, sounds like a very good alternative to buying them and it adds a personal touch to the cards you give at Christmas.
So neat to see so many comments from ones in my age group(70s) and younger. I’ve always wanted to learn so why not!? I can draw a stick figure so maybe I can do a stem!!🙂
I have not painted in years, you have inspired me to take out the brushes and paint. Your work is beautiful, simple and elegant. Great job!
I like the way you painted the twigs. Then after covering them mostly with red berries you said that it doesn't matter if you cover them up, explaining that they were giving you an idea of where you wanted the berries. Great design and composition tips. Thank you!
I'm also brand new to watercolor (wanted to try it all my life and it took a pandemic to get me to start). LOVE these cards. Beautiful & simple.
Sameeeee!
Thats a whole lot better than the cheaper watercolor. That mixes nicely.
Emma, these are simply gorgeous!!! You’ve definitely got me excited to try making my own! I love your style and thanks for these tutorials...I really look forward to them!!!
I love how you shouted out Shayda! You both are my go to channels for greeting cards in watercolor 🤍
Oh Emma- thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate this!!!
Barrier to entry is the biggest thing stopping me from getting back into art. This was perfect. Thank you!
You, 30 minutes later: Three ridiculously beautiful cards that you'd be proud to send. Easy peasy.
Me, 3 hours later: I have no more hair but do have a sloppy watercolor mess on soaked paper. Even my dog left the room in shame.
Universal Soldier me every time time I try to paint 🤣
🤣🤣🤣
LOL! You are too funny and I totally relate!
🤣🤣🤣
Universal Soldier 🤪🤣🤣🤣🤣
These were great. Thanks!
Omg, the wreath one is AMAZING.
What's with the thumbs down? Take no notice Emma, you are FAB. 💝💝💝💝
Festive watercolor illustrations are more like espresso, the simpler the better... especially the golden one line frame, it’s like those ring on small coffee cups.
Doamne cat mai vorbeste femeia aceasta .Picteaza fain .
Hi Emma, Your freestyle watercolor tutorials are amazing and beautiful! Thank you for sharing your creative talent with us. Happy painting! 🎨
Thank you so much for sharing Emma, I love your style of teaching. x
I love your philosophy "don't stress over perfection". I've just started watercolor and I feel the dynamic medium of water (a mind of its own!) can really help me with my perfectionism. And you go sooo fast! Were you afraid your adorable toddler was going to wake up? Haha! Thank you!!
I love that too, don't stress over perfection. None of us are perfect. Also few decades ago Christmas turned into Holiday for religious reasons. Instead of being a critic, red berries show up better than white on white paper. Maybe some one glued holly berries to their new plant: Mistletoe Holly. Just enjoy and say thank you.
love love love them. Thanks again for your excellent teaching
It is so beautiful! Because of your work, I‘m starting watercolor Christmas cards like you do. BRAVO!
You have a great way of teaching. Doing Christmas cards, you have given me great ideas😊
These are great, will definitely try them this weekend. I love Shayda too. You're both great and give us doable projects to work on, thanks.
From The Netherlands: I'm impressed! Tomorrow I will buy some watercolour paint. Thank you, Emma Jane, for this inspiration !
Watching you paint is like watching magic. So freaking awesome!
Very pretty cards! Eager to try to make some of my own now! Thanks! You are a good teacher too. Very calm and confident. A pleasure to listen to and watch!!
" I don't really have a plan to be honest" Then this beautiful card emerges. ❤️
You are a great teacher!! You make it look so doable and fun!! Thanks for inspiring us all on RUclips! Merry Christmas!
You make this look easy! I grew up making homemade cards but haven't done any in a long time. Never tried using watercolors to make cards. Yours turned out so beautiful, think I'll give it a try. Thanks for some great instructions!
I love these patterns. To me they look so elegant. This will be my second year using these patterns. Thank you, Emma!
I’ve watched this so many times and made each project a few times. Thank you for the instructions. They are easy to follow and it’s such a nice finished project
Y yh
Seeing your techniques of watercolour really helped me a lot. i used to paint, only using the colours on my palette, without mixing them. It wasn't such a good choice because now I see that your colours are different and awesome. Also, I never knew anything about water, so my "paintings" would always have those leaky things that I did not like. Thank you so much for your great art
I clicked like as soon as I heard "affordable materials". 💛
If you burnish your fold it will lay beautifully. I never used to but learned how professional it makes my cards and projects. I do paper crafting I am going to try you technique. I did enjoy your vlog, very easy to follow. Beautiful projects. 💖💖💖👍👍👍
Love these! Makes me want to abandon my stamped and colored pencil holiday cards that are taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R and give water coloring a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
Watched your other card video too. I like your simple water color instructions. Plenty of room for everyone to work out their own style. Thanks for showing these techniques.
Emma, hi and thank you for sharing your talent with us. I've been doing watercolor for a while again now, taking a break from pastel. Your designs are quite pretty and your teaching style very easy to follow.
Emma, Thank you! I really love the way you painted the pinecones!
Love your cards. I’ve painted them and they turned out great. You explain the steps so well. Thank you.
I to am just getting into water colors. I have wanted to do this for years but it imitated me. I just jumped in and love it. I loved your beautiful cards and they looked really easy. I'm glad i found your channel!
I love your cards and you make it look so easy to do! I'm definitely going to make some Christmas cards like this! Thank you Emma, you are fun to watch.
I love your pine corn painting!
I have been looking for a way to paint a pine cone that makes sense to me and yours is it!!! Thanks Emma! Susan
Thank you for using watercolors that are more accessible. I love your instructions. Simple and beautiful ideas..thank you
They are absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to try to make my own! Your ease at painting is inspiring. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much, no procrastinating with your easy to follow instructions
Love these ideas, I gave the first one a go... Even mixed the paints as suggested, really pleased with the outcome for first attempt! Took about 20 mins. Definitely want to make more.😊😊😊👍
im gonna try them all tmrw, giving one to my bf one to my bff and the last one to my bf's friend
Thanks!
such simple lovely cards Emma Thank you for sharing with us
Such great ideas. I painted the mistletoe as a gift. Plus I used your frame ideas to paint some wreaths as gifts! You’re just the best teacher.
Really love the pinecone one. You've made it seem to simple, I'm going to try. Thank you.
These are GORGEOUS cards!!! And THANK YOU for showing the easiest way to paint watercolor pine cones!! Fantastic tutorial!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Wow, this is a great tutorial. I have never even tried water colour painting but I want to go out and buy some paints and try it! Thanks for sharing.
Love this tutorial...thank you...💕
Did you do it? How’d it go
Thank you so much. My first attempt and it turned out great!! So very EXCITED !!!
I love the cards! Although I don’t think the first one is mistletoe because of the red berries (and not white). I absolutely love it! Especially because these are simple to do, well at least you explain it so easily. I will try it!
Also, good to add “don’t overthink it!”, it’s like you know me!
I thought the same thing at first but googled it and the berries can be white, red or pink. I have just only seen the white ones apparently. :)
That’s strange. I’ve actually only ever seen red. But I indeed do overthink as well! 😂
Kathy Davis Yes, maybe it depends on where you live! Since I saw this video I started painting mistletoe also with red berries and I love it!! 😄
Tegan Alise I actually painted that card two days ago and I kept telling myself: “Don’t overthink it. Just do it. She told me to not overthink!”.
I have never seen red mistletoe. Perhaps red should be holly?
Very simple, but helpful tips that make all the difference. Can't wait to try these.
You are amazing! I love this tutorial! You make this look as though I might actually be able to do it! I'm so anxious to learn water coloring and you are an inspiration for sure!
Thank you! I wanted something different for my holiday cards this year. I've painted snowmen and Holly for ages. Now I have something new!
Try a Bone Folder for creasing your cards. It can be found in any craft shop in the scrapbooking department. They make a very flat crease.
Or a spoon Pam ,not that I'm cheap or anything 😁
An amazing tutorial with a very calm and forgiving instructor. I completely enjoyed this as my first attempt back into painting since.......it has been over a decade. Easy, simple, step by step. Obtainable materials. Most of all the freedom to make mistakes and keep moving on. I adore how my cards turned out. I am now doing origami folding to make envelopes then I will be sending my home made cards!
Nice tutorial! Really appreciate the tip on moving your whole arm to draw the border.
Love these! Will try them out today!
You sure make it look easy, gonna try to make a bunch of cards, here's hoping they come out as good as yours.
So enjoy you and Shayda both having enjoyed learning from you both. It’s been fun seeing so many greeting cards tutorials and trying my hand at them. Thank u again for sharing ur work and tips with us!
I LOVE them! Very simple and personal. So glad I found your page!
Great ! A pleasure to watch & listen to , thank you. Am inspired now. 🌿🌾⚘🌱🌻
this was so much fun to try out, I'm gonna paint some watercolour cards this year, thank you! indeed very easy to follow but so pretty!
Thanks for a great video; all three cards were delightful.. I am most grateful for the tip using your arm instead of your wrist. Your color mixing was great also! 💕
These are lovely and so simple for beginners like me! Thanks so much Emma!
so so true XD
Thank you.. I watched during the night and start after breakfast. Bonne année...from Belgium
I was really looking for some christmas card ideas and I love how beautifully these cards turned out so easily..Love them❤
Thank you so very much for your generous tuition and much love to your little man
Love your work. I'm going to try water coloring my cards.
My favorite was the card with greenery all around but I loved the way you painted the pine cone! Lovely cards!