How to Paint a Card with Watercolor

Watercolor Card Watercolor Tutorial! 

A Step-by-Step Tutorial

There’s something extra special about giving a handmade card—especially one painted with your own two hands. 

Whether you’re creating something heartfelt for a birthday, a thank you note, or just a little hello, watercolor cards are a beautiful (and surprisingly easy!) way to share a bit of yourself.


For this card, I painted pancakes. Yes, pancakes. Now this is an inside joke with a close friend of mine, but the point is that any object can be cute when painted in watercolor!

I'll walk you through how to watercolor your own greeting card, step by step. I’ve included photos, a video tutorial, and links to all the materials I use so you can follow along and make your own.

 

 

✨ Materials You’ll Need

Before we start, here’s what you’ll want to gather:

👉 I’ve linked all my favorite supplies HERE.

 

 

🎨 Step-by-Step: Watercolor Birthday Card Tutorial

Step 1: Choose a Simple Object

Start by thinking about a simple object that might mean something to the recipient or is simply cute and pretty. Ideas: feather, pencil, fruit, bird, lamp, plant... 

 


Step 2: Lightly Sketch Your Design

Using a pencil, lightly draw your illustration and layout your text. Keep your lines faint—you’ll either paint over them or erase them gently once your painting is dry. For this design I wanted to use a feather. I did not have a stack of pancakes to look at so I searched Google for images to refer to.

 


Step 3: Ink the Design

Use a waterproof pen to carefully trace over your sketch. 

 

 

Step 4: Add Watercolor

Now the fun part! Slowly fill in your sketch with watercolor. Don’t rush—use light layers and build color gradually. If you're new to watercolor, less is more–leave some white space!

 

🖌️ Tip: Keep a paper towel nearby to blot excess water or lift paint.

 

 

Paint a light layer first.

 

 

Now choose a darker color and add some definition.

 

White it’s still wet, clean your brush with water and slowly blend the color out onto the unpainted areas. This makes a nice gradient of colors! 

 

Now choose the darkest color yet and dab in some areas to add interest. You can do this while the feather is still wet or choose to let this layer dry first. 

 

Adding a small, dark shadow can help the object to pop off the page.

 

 

 

 

Step 7: Let It Dry + Send It Off

Let everything dry completely before folding or packaging your card. Then tuck it into an envelope and send some handmade joy through the mail. ✉️

 

 

📸 See It in Action

Here’s a short little video tutorial so you can see each step in real time. Whether you're a watercolor beginner or a seasoned painter, I hope this inspires you to try your own version!

 

 

🛍️ Shop the Supplies

Want to use the same materials I do? Here are my go-to picks:

 

 

Creating your own watercolor greeting cards is such a relaxing, rewarding way to slow down and express yourself. Plus, your recipient will treasure the time and care you put into making something just for them.

 

⭐ Click HERE to see all my supplies. ⭐

 

Happy painting,

Text in a land far, far away! and signature with paintbrush.

 

P.S. If you try this tutorial, tag me on Instagram @ElizabethWadeStudio —I’d love to see what you create!

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