Valentine's Day is just around the corner and what better way to show your love than with handmade watercolor gift tags? Today, I'm thrilled to share a fun and creative tutorial on how to make adorable Valentine's tags using simple watercolor techniques. Whether you're gifting chocolates, flowers, or simply a heartfelt note, these tags will add a personal touch to your gifts!
Supplies Needed
- Watercolor Palette: I’ll be using my Watercolor Starter Pack – Shelly Cluff Art, which includes a selection of my favorite colors.
- Brush: A Princeton Neptune brush, size 6, is perfect for this project.
- Watercolor Paper: I recommend Canson XL watercolor paper for its quality.
- Punches: Heart punches in various sizes (small, medium, and large) and a circle punch.
- Twine: A variety of twine for attaching the tags.
- Paper Trimmer/Scorer: For cutting your tags to size.
- Hole Punch: For creating holes for the twine (I like this smaller kind).
- Heat Gun: Optional, for quick drying of the watercolor.
Let’s get started!
Creating Watercolor Gradient Tags
We’ll kick off with something simple: watercolor gradient tags. This technique allows us to play with colors and create beautiful, custom designs.
Step 1: Prepare Your Colors
Start by rinsing your brush in water, then mix a couple of my favorite pinks: quinacridone magenta and Opera Rose. I also like to add a little lemon yellow to the mix for a lovely gradient effect.
Step 2: Apply the Base Layer
Begin by making puddles of water on your paper. You don’t need to be too precise; the goal here is to create a base that allows for color variation. Start smearing the colors around, working quickly to keep everything wet.
Step 3: Add Texture
As you apply the colors, add some dots and blooms to create visual interest. The more playful you are with your colors, the more unique your tags will turn out. Allow the colors to merge and create beautiful textures.
Step 4: Punch Your Tags
Once the watercolor has dried, it’s time to punch out your tags. Use a heart punch, holding it upside down so you can see how to position it. Capture interesting parts of the design for the most appealing tags.
Floral Gift Tags
Next up, we’ll create some floral gift tags. These are perfect for adding a touch of charm to your gifts.
Step 1: Paint the Flowers
Using the same brush, start by mixing quinacridone magenta with a bit of alizarin crimson for a rich color. Begin painting small roses by swirling your brush to create the center and layering petals around it. Remember, the petals should taper to a point.
Step 2: Add Greenery
Mix viridian green with burnt umber to create a nice, muted green. Use this to paint leaves around your flowers. A flicking motion will help create natural-looking leaves. Don’t worry about perfection; it’s the handmade look that adds charm!
Step 3: Let It Dry and Punch
Allow your floral designs to dry completely before punching them out. This will help preserve the details and colors. Use a large heart punch for this project, making sure to capture the flowers and greenery in your design.
Simple Heart Tags
For our final type of tag, we’ll create simple, elegant heart tags. This is a quick and fun project that anyone can do!
Step 1: Paint the Hearts
Switch to a size six Aqua Elite brush for more precision. Use the leftover colors from your palette, ensuring they are watery and translucent. Paint tall, thin hearts, overlapping colors as you go to create a fun fusion effect.
Step 2: Punch and String
Once your hearts are dry, use a circle punch to create tags from your painted hearts. Add twine to each tag for a cute finishing touch. I love using red and white twine for a festive feel!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! A trio of beautiful watercolor gift tags perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion that calls for a little extra love. Handmade tags like these not only add a personal touch but also show that you care. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I did. Happy painting!
Feel free to share your creations on social media and tag me! I’d love to see what you come up with!
Don't forget to watch the full video tutorial HERE.
