Sunset Sky with Hot Air Balloon Card

A project from our live show TECHNIQUE TUESDAY - Join Toni for her latest techniques - broadcast 31st Jan 23 · 01/31/2023 · watch it from 7:15

Create a stunning sunset background with watercolour techniques, then add a delicate hot air balloon stamp with soft colouring and sparkle embellishments. The balloon appears to float away over the colourful sky and water reflection, creating a dreamy, dimensional card.

You will need

Stamps By Me - Premium Dye Ink Pad - Sherbet - 040522FSEE IT Stamps By Me - Premium Dye Ink Pad - Bittersweet - 040522ESEE IT Stamps By Me - Premium Dye Ink Pad - Hedgerow - 040522DSEE IT Stamps By Me - Premium Dye Ink Pad - Magenta - 040522CSEE IT Stamps By Me - Premium Dye Ink Pad - Indigo - 040522BSEE IT Stamps By Me - Premium Dye Ink Pad - Surfboard - 040522ASEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Spray your watercolour card with water using a spray bottle to wet the surface thoroughly. ▶ watch 7:15
2. Apply your first ink colour (such as Sherbet or Surfboard) to the card using a flat brush, angling it to create texture. ▶ watch 7:30
3. Clean your brush lightly and add a second colour (such as yellow) to blend with the first, creating a gradient effect. ▶ watch 8:30
4. Spray the card again with water and add a third colour (such as pink or purple) to enhance the sunset effect. ▶ watch 9:15
5. Blend the colours together by dragging your brush across the wet surface, creating soft transitions. ▶ watch 9:45
6. Add a fourth colour (such as Hedgerow or Indigo) to the lower portion to represent water or sea. ▶ watch 11:00
7. Use a clean, damp brush to lift out colour and create highlights, breaking up any harsh lines. ▶ watch 12:30
8. Allow the background to dry completely, then trim it to size and mount it onto black card. ▶ watch 15:00
9. Stamp the hot air balloon image from the Trust Your Journey set onto white card using black ink. ▶ watch 18:45
10. Colour the balloon petals lightly with watercolour, leaving white space and using soft pastels rather than bright colours. ▶ watch 19:30
11. Add grey shadow down the left side of each curved section of the balloon to create dimension and depth. ▶ watch 20:30
12. Add pink sequins or gems to the centres of the flowers on the balloon for sparkle. ▶ watch 22:15
13. Add white gel pen highlights to the water area to create sparkly reflections. ▶ watch 23:45
14. Add a small amount of yellow with your sparkle pen to the water to reflect the sky colours. ▶ watch 29:00
15. Stamp a sentiment from the Trust Your Journey set in black ink onto the card. ▶ watch 30:45
16. Mount the coloured balloon onto the sunset background at an angle, positioning it as if floating away. ▶ watch 32:00

Tips from the show

• If you add too much colour, you can always bring back the light with a white gel pen.
• Don't worry if the card looks like a hot mess initially—have patience to see the colours come together.
• You can fussy cut and layer the balloon on top with foam pads to add extra dimension if desired.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly