This tutorial is extra special as it marks the final LIVE session from my California studio! In this project, we’re creating a vibrant, layered heart design using watercolors in reds, magentas, and blues and a lime green background to make everything pop. With stencils, inks, and a splatter effect, this art journal page is full of texture and fun! 

heart watercolor art

Prep your art journal page by taping off the edges with painter’s tape and misting your watercolors with water – I’m using Tropical & Terrain for this art piece.

I’ll paint a red, magenta, and blue heart on my page so that they overlap each other a little bit. Dry with a heat tool.

Next, I’ll paint the background with lime green watercolor paint. I’ll blend in some golden yellow and dry with a heat tool.

painting the background

Use a Molotow or Sharpie permanent marker to outline your hearts. I’ll also use an Aquarellable Pencil to add some shading around my hearts too. 

Next, I’ll take a variety of stencils and add some texture to the hearts. Place the stencil on each heart and apply ink to your page with a stencil brush. I’ll add black circles to my blue heart, red circles to my magenta heart, and gray leaves to my red heart.

adding stencils and ink

Then, I’ll add teal ink around the edges of my page with a stencil brush and a black border with a Molotow Pen. 

I’ll use a liner brush with Titanium White acrylic paint and add detail lines around my hearts. I’ll also dip a fan brush in some watery Carbon Black acrylic paint and tap it above my page to create a splatter effect. Finally, I’ll use my fan brush to add some texture to my background with more green watercolor paint. 

Dry with a heat tool, remove the painter’s tape, and enjoy!

finished hearts art journal page

Watch the replay below!

Thank you for joining in on the creative fun. Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 5:30 pm PST on Facebook at Tracy Weinzapfel Studios.

Join the waitlist for Your Artful Journey! This is my exclusive creative membership where you can explore the world of art journaling! Join a community of support and inspiration with interactive art sessions full of tips and tricks, conversation, Q & As, and most of all, FUN!

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