Downloadable PDF lesson
There’s something so exciting about opening your mailbox and finding a handwritten card hidden among the bills and junk mail, isn’t there? There’s the initial surprise and anticipation, then you have the fun of opening it and reading what’s inside. But best of all is knowing that someone thought about you and cared enough to take the time to write.
Now you can brighten someone’s day with a beautiful card that features your own artwork. In How to Make Floral Monograms & Cards, you’ll learn how to create personalized floral monograms with watercolor and turn them into pretty handmade greeting cards that you can send or give as gifts. It’s easy with this comprehensive two-part tutorial!
Two lessons in one!
In Part 1, you’ll learn how to design and paint a floral monogram using ink and watercolor. I’ll show you how I gather ideas, create a design, and combine blossoms, foliage, and even some cute garden critters to create colorful painted watercolor monograms that are one-of-a-kind. For the example, I’ll paint a letter L, but all the principles and instructions can be applied to your own personal monogram. This section alone is worth the price of the lesson.
Part 2 takes it a step further and shows how to turn your beautiful artwork into equally beautiful digital files and printed images. Then we’ll take those images and turn them into pretty greeting cards.
Part 1 - Design & Paint
Whether you plan to frame your monogram, use it for note cards, give it as a gift, or just keep it tucked away in your sketchbook, this tutorial will show you how to brainstorm ideas, design a monogram, and paint it with watercolor.
I’ve included close-up photos showing each step of the drawing and painting process, with clear written instructions accompanying each one. By following along with the example lesson, you’ll understand the process and be equipped to dive in and get started creating a unique, personalized monogram for yourself or a friend.
Part 2 -Digitize, Edit, Print, & Create
As a bonus, How to Make Floral Monograms & Cards includes clear instructions on how to scan, edit, and print your artwork once it’s done. And this information doesn’t just apply to painted monograms—you can use it for ALL of your sketches, drawings, and paintings.
You’ll find information on the equipment needed to digitize artwork plus general recommendations for what to look for when buying a scanner or printer. I’ll tell you exactly which software programs I use and suggest alternatives that are available without spending a penny. You’ll learn simple ways to edit and adjust photos of your paintings so they’re as bright and vibrant as the originals. If a non-expert like me can do it, you can too!
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at my favorite cardmaking tools and supplies, and I’ll tell you which ones are my favorites. I’ve even included a section titled Helpful Hints for Cardmaking. These are the little tricks that I’ve developed over the years to make the cardmaking process easier and more efficient.
One of the best parts of this lesson is the Creative Card Ideas section where you’ll find photos of more than fifty handmade cards that all feature sketches, drawings, and paintings. It’s a wonderful resource that you can use as a jumping-off place for making your own cards. Combining artwork with colored papers, gel pens, washi tape, and watercolor, you’ll design and create custom cards that surpass anything Hallmark has to offer!
This lesson is packed with information and inspiration!
Here's a sampling of what's inside:
- Ideas for personalizing your monograms
- Hints for effective monogram design
- Step-by-step instructions for painting your floral watercolor monogram
- Recommendations for scanning and printing equipment
- Simple steps for editing scanned images
- Photoshop alternatives that don’t cost a penny
- How to create image layouts for printing
- The best paper choices for printing artwork
- Easy, accurate (and artsy!) ways to cut and trim printed images
- Recommendations for cardmaking supplies that give superior results
- Helpful hints to make the cardmaking process easier and more efficient
- How to bring out the best in your artwork when designing cards
- Creative ideas for unique and beautiful cards
The resource you've been waiting for...
What's included...
- A 41-page downloadable PDF lesson that offers clear, easy-to-understand written instructions for designing and painting a floral watercolor monogram, editing and printing artwork, and creating handmade cards
- A materials list that explains exactly what you'll need to paint the example monogram and make beautiful handmade cards from it
- A gallery of inspiration cards with commentary notes for each one
- Two printable full-size alphabets to use in designing your monograms
PDF lessons may be viewed online or downloaded and saved to your computer for printing. View them again and again – they’re yours to keep forever!
Build a personal encyclopedia of painting instructions by collecting all of these comprehensive tutorials, one subject at a time, and watch your skills grow with each one.
BONUS: Get 20% off Watercolor Essentials!
My Watercolor Essentials video course has been designed to help you get more out of my written tutorials. When you purchase any step-by-step watercolor lesson, you’ll receive a coupon for 20% off this valuable resource that includes demonstrations of all the techniques mentioned in lessons like How to Make Floral Monograms & Cards.
FAQ
Purchased lessons are yours to keep forever. You can view them in the course player or download them to your computer.
Anyone who wants to learn to create floral monograms with watercolor and/or digitize, edit, and print their artwork. Plus, the bonus inspiration section assures that you’ll never run out of ideas for applying what you learn.
The lesson is suitable for all skill levels, but some basic experience with drawing, painting, and computers or tablets will be helpful.
The tutorial includes a complete list of materials for painting the monogram example and making cards with it.
Drawing and painting supplies are needed to design and paint the monogram.
If you plan to scan, edit, and print your work, you’ll need a computer or tablet, a scanner, and a printer. These are all explained in detail in the lesson.
If you plan to make cards with your artwork, you’ll need photo paper, decorative papers, tape, glue, scissors, washi tape, and blank cards. The materials are described in detail in the lesson and are flexible, depending on your preference.
Yes! My Watercolor Essentials video course was designed for just this purpose. In it I demonstrate all the techniques that are referenced in my written lessons.
