Learn How To Paint A Beautiful Watercolor Poinsettia Christmas Card

Almost every year, I promise myself I won't spend any money on mass-produced Christmas greeting cards. In spite of these good intentions, I find myself drawn to the Christmas card displays every year at this time. There are so many lovely designs, from cute little chickadees and garlands of holly berries, to cards that bear Christian symbols of this blessed season such as a manger scene, or the Christmas Star shining high above silhouettes of the the Magi.

I always seem to find something absolutely adorable, and say to myself, "Oh, well. I will use up the rest of the box next year. " Then, next year would roll around and I would find more beautiful Christmas cards. ...and the post-Christmas sales? They are even worse. I can always manage to find absolutely lovely cards for ridiculously cheap prices.

Several years ago, though, shortly after I became Classroom Co-ordinator for our local Arts and Crafts store, one belonging to a major chain, I began to search for Christmas painting projects.

One of the most popular courses was an evening watercolor class. Combining that with the idea of making our own lovely cards was a natural progression, and turned out to be one of our best attended Christmas crafting activities.

Using pen and ink sketching, and tole painting techniques to transfer the pattern and execute the design on watercolor card stock laid the base for the watercolor work.

Transparent layers of watercolor washes added just the right amount of delicate hues to bring the designs to life.

There was my answer! I could paint my own beautiful, watercolor cards, save money, and avoid creating a backlog of partly used boxes of Christmas cards. In the process, I could enjoy passing on watercolor techniques to my students - adult and children alike.

Poinsettia Card - a classic design with modern styling:

* Painting Tip - you can speed drying time by using a hair dryer. Keep the hair dryer moving to avoid scorching the paper .

• Apply blue, painters' tape to the front, outside edges of your card, making a 1/4 inch border all the way around
  
• Protect the highlights by painting them with masking fluid
• Allow the card to dry before continuing
• Mix a blue-green color, and wash the top edge of the top three outermost bracts
• Wash the right edge of the center bottom bract
• Before the wash dries, add a medium fuchsia wash from the opposite edge, so that it bleeds slightly into the green wash
• Add a the same color blue-green wash to the two outermost bottom bracts and the center buds
• Add a gold wash starting from the other edge of the bracts
• Add gold wash to the center buds
• Lift the gold wash from the center of the bottom bract, using a cotton swab
• Mix a light fuchsia wash to the remaining bracts
• Lift the wash from five of the bracts, as shown in the diagram
• Darken the light fuchsia wash to a medium reddish tone
• Strengthen the tips and stem ends of three of the larger bracts as shown
• Add more of the medium red wash to the farthest right and the lowest bract
• Let the card dry slightly
• Wash some of the smaller bracts with the medium red wash as shown
• Add red accents as shown
• Let the card dry slightly
• Add a gold wash to the other sides of the small bracts
• Strengthen the red washes as shown
• Strengthen the green on the tiny green bracts in the center of the flower
• Add dark red dots to the center of some of the buds
• Add red accent on the far left petal
• When card is dry, carefully rub off the masking fluid
• Lift off some of the paint around the white highlights using a brush dampened in clear water (to liquefy the paint) and the corner of a clean paper towel
  

Remove the blue tape border, and carefully iron your finished card flat, if necessary.

I added a gold border to my finished painting using dimensional paint, and washed it out to the edges with gold drawing ink. I also added gold centers to the poinsettia.

Now you are ready to add a message inside the your beautiful card. You can use one of the many lovely Christmas stamps available, or simply hand-letter your Christmas greeting.

I often use my computer, and make up several different greetings in a fancy font (text). Then I can print them off onto colored paper, cut out an appropriate greeting for each recipient, and tape or glue the message of my choice inside the completed card.

Sometimes I punch two small holes in the inside of the card, and on the message, and then attach the message inside the card with a piece of pretty Christmas ribbon. A single, flat knot or a small bow work well, and either one will finish your card beautifully.

While this may be a lot more work than simply buying a box of cards, it is also far more rewarding. I love to paint Christmas cards each year, not only because I know how those who receive them look forward to a new card each year, but also because I love drawing and painting, and teaching drawing and painting. Making my own, homemade cards is a fun and relaxing activity - a great break from the hustle and bustle of the festive season.

© 2010 Text and photos by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved