Today I’m sharing my first attempt at painting with my new Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour paint set. I think I’ll be using them again soon as the vibrancy of the colours is amazing and I love how they blend together to create this summery page.
I also used a new bee stamp set and the “Don’t worry bee happy” sentiment which made me smile as it reminds me of the “Don’t worry, be happy” song. Don’t forget that you still have a week to join the Inspired by a Song challenge over at Try it on Tuesday, it would be great to see you there.
I started by die cutting some flowers out of pages from of my old pocket dictionary using my Big Shot machine. On the page I stuck both the die cuts and the page they were cut from, so as to get a positive and negative flower image, using Liquitex matte gel medium. I also stuck some pieces of leftover decoupage paper and white leftover tissue paper that were sitting on my craft desk, which already had a floral stamp from Docrafts, a Sheet Music stamp from Woodware, a Vintage-Believe stamp and a Script stamp from Kaisercraft stamped on them using black Archival Ink. When the gel medium was dry, I wet the page with water using a paintbrush and then I added Rose Madder, Sap Green Light, Viridian, Ultrmarine, Turquiose Blue and Colbalt Violet watercolour paints over the top using a paintbrush; it was fun as I learnt how to apply the paints. I concentrated the Rose Madder paint over the flower shapes and added Lemon Yellow to their centres. They are outlined using Black watercolour paint and later with some black Uni Pin markers to add more detail. Next I stencilled a honeycomb pattern using modelling paste and stamped a hexagonalGeometric hexagonal stamp using black Archival Ink. I applied some white gesso to the page using my finger to dull the black stamping and some of the watercolour which added more depth and dimension to the page. The heart was a leftover piece of dictionary page which already had a heart shape punched out of it, I coloured it using the Rose Madder and Lemon Yellow watercolour paints and outlined it as I did the flowers. I also used the top of my spritzer bottle to stamp the small round circles using black Archival Ink and they are painted using Rose Madder, Colbalt Violet and Lemon Yellow watercolour paint. Next I stamped the bees onto some white card three times and also onto the page. For the ones that I stamped on the card, I coloured their body using Lemon Yellow watercolour paint and an extremely diluted Ultramarine Pale watercolour on their wings, then fussy cut the body, head and wings out. I then coloured the legs of the ones that I had stamped on the page using a brown Uni Posca paint pen and stuck the body and wings over the top using a UHU Stic, bending the wings upwards so they looked more 3D. As this page is so bright and cheery, I added the sentiment “Don’t worry bee happy” using black Archival Ink which is from the same stamp set as the bees; this finished the page.
As T Stands for Tuesday I’m showing a drink of apple juice and ginger beer again, you may remember it from last week (grin!). Well, following all of the comments from the T Gang I was getting a bit confused until my lovely friend from Drivers and Sundry made me realise that Ginger Beer here in the UK is similar to Ginger Ale in America. They are both non-alcoholic soft drinks although ginger beer is spicier with a more fiery ginger flavour than ginger ale, so as an alternative half apple juice and half ginger ale will work too – Happy T Day!
Also if you look at my glass closely you will see a bee etched upon it, which links back to today’s page (double grin!).
In case you are wondering, this is my box of new Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour Paint; I’m looking forward to using them some more and trying our new techniques too.
Challenges
I’m glad I found out about Challenge Blogs, as I enjoy taking part, they provide me with inspiration for my pages and are a wonderful way to meet like-minded arty people. As well as Try it on Tuesday, here are the challenges I’m joining today:
I’m pleased to join the lovely Bleubeard & Elizabeth from Altered Book Lover, who is hosting the Count your blessings challenge over at Art Journal Journey as I feel very blessed to be able to create art and share it with others.
I’m joining in the fun over at Moo Mania & More and their theme is Summertime challenge with my summery watercolour page.
Over at Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday the challenge is Watercolour! so I’m pleased to join this challenge too.
I’m also happy to join the Anything Goes! challenge over at The Artistic Stamper with my Bee Happy stamped art journal page.
With the bees and stamping, I’m also pleased to be able to join Fashionable Stamping Challenges and their It’s A Bugs Life challenge.
I love my new bee stamp so I’m also joining the Use your ‘current’ favourite stamp challenge over at Stamping Sensations too.
Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour Paint set (Rose Madder, Sap Green Light, Viridian, Ultrmarine, Turquiose Blue, Colbalt Violet, Lemon Yellow, Black)
- Pébéo Modeling Paste
- Pébéo White Gesso
- Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
- Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm & 0.5mm)
- Uni Posca Paint Pen (Brown)
- That’s Crafty Dinky Stencil (Reversed Honeycomb)
- Docrafts Papermania Capsule Clear Stamps (Geometric Mono)
- Dovecraft Premium Clear Stamps (Bee Happy DCSTP129)
- The Oxford Pocket Dictionary
- Leftover decoupage paper
- Leftover stamped white tissue paper
- Cardstock (White)
- Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
- UHU Stic
Wonderful page, love the colours. Enjoy your ginger beer drink, and have fun with your new water-colours. Happy T Day, Valerie
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Thank you and wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊 x
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STUNNING. Your first encounter with those watercolors turned out great. I was surprised at how incredibly neat you are, because after seeing the watercolors, I realized you had already used them. You certainly did a great job, and I would say you have already mastered using them. Sharing this bee happy journal page is a blessing for me, since you are also sharing it with Art Journal Journey. Thank you for that.
I’m so glad you clarified Ginger Beer, because I for one thought it was alcoholic. I think I would really like this, especially if it packs that fiery punch. Thanks for sharing your incredible journal page and your ginger beer and apple juice with us for T this Tuesday.
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The watercolours were fun to use and I still have a lot to learn …lol 😉. Thanks so much, you are very kind! Happy T Tuesday! J 😊 x
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Such a wonderful page and a very happy choice of song for sure
Thank you for commenting at Jumbled Crafts
Love Chrissiue xx
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Thank you Chrissie and have a lovely week! J 😊 x
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This background is astonishing and no wonder with all the artwork involved in making it. The background alone must have taken ages to make, and well worth it for the colourful and complex result. There is just so much to look at in the background alone, there’s even a tower, and frosted flowers top left.
Love the bees and the flowers and hearts and circles (stamped with the top of the spritzer bottle, good thinking).
Apple juice with ginger beer sounds and looks lovely and refreshing. I must look out for this brand. For some reason they “hide” (it seems!) ginger beer in our stores
Happy Tea Day!
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The time flew by, I think the old adage must be true – time flies when you are having fun – and I certainly had lots of fun creating this page. So funny about the ginger beer, it seems a popular drink where I live so I always buy it when I see it …lol 😉. This particular brand of ginger beer has a very fiery in taste 😁. Happy Tea Day! J 😊 x
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A beautiful page Jo, the colours loik wonderful. A great choice of song to suit this happy page.
Avril xx
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Thank you! It’s a very happy page and song …lol 😉. Wishing you a lovely week! J 😊 x
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Ah ha. That’s what ginger beer is. I have had ginger ale a lot but never with apple juice but I bet it is delicious. And what a cool page. Those watercolors look like they give bold colors. They yellow on the bee pops right out when you look at the page. Speaking of the page- I love it it. It is summer and full of joy. Beautiful page and I hope you are having a wonderful T day. Hugs-Erika
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Thanks so much and I hope you are having a wonderful T Day too! J 😊 x
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Actually we do have ginger beer here in the states-I had to look for it when I learned about making a mule with my vodka. the ginger beer has a very strong ginger flavor which I love. It has no alcohol in it and is very very different than ginger ale. I could not find it locally so I bought some online-but the diet version to keep down the sugar-and then I recently found it with mixers in our big box store-wal mart. the mix of apple juice and the ginger beer sounds so refreshing-hugs
I love your page-so sweet with the quote and the bees.
Happy T Day wishes Kathy
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Ginger beer has quite a kick to it, doesn’t it 😁. We can buy American Ginger Ale in our supermarkets too and it is a lot lighter in colour and milder in taste, it tastes nice with apple juice as well 😁. Thanks so much and Happy T Day! J 😊 x
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It’s a fantastique and gorgeous page Jo! I love that beautiful background that you have created, those colours are very bright and cheerful, I like them a lot. The stamps, the flowers and the bees are awesome of pretty! Of course I really like your new watercolors, beautiful!
I wish you a very nice day, big hugs, Caty
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Thank you Caty! The watercolours are fabulous and such bright colours 😁. Wishing you a wonderful day too! J 😊 x
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A wonderful page with so much detail. I like bees, something about them appeals to me. I’m interested in trying the watercolors you mentioned. I’ll have to look for them.
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Thank you! I chose these watercolours as they are so vibrant and get great reviews too 😁. Happy T Day wishes! J 😊 x
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the background is so elaborate, it really looks gorgeous. and the blossoms are colored beautifully. i never heard of these watercolor paints before…
happy t-day and have a great week!
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Many thanks! They are a lovely set of paints and so prettily presented too 😁. Happy T Day and have a great week too! J 😊 x
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This bee happy journal page is our of this world beautiful dear Jo! And you made me more than happy to link to AJJ and Moo Mania & More again – I am absolutely thrilled about your page and wow – this watercolours are in best hands!
Ginger Beer sounds good!
Happy T-Day dear Jo!
Big hugs and thank a lot!!!!
Hugs, Susi
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Thanks so much! I enjoyed using the watercolour paints, it was such fun 😁. Happy T Day and sending you big hugs too dear Susi! J 😊 x
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♥♥♥
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Everything about this piece makes me feel happy Jo. As you say, the colours really are so vibrant and there’s so much to look at. I love the text in the flowers and the subtle stamping in the background too. Thank you for sharing it with us at Stamping Sensations and good luck. Sandra x
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Fabulous post Jo – I’d been looking at those paints earlier in the year and it was great to see them being used on such a beautiful piece – gorgeous paint colours and I love your flowers and bees – stunning work! Have fun with your new paints 🙂
Hope all well with you and your week going well..
Gill xx
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Thanks a lot 😁. All is well here and wishing you a wonderful week too! J 😊 x
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The watercolors are truly vibrant and that’s a beautiful page,Jo. I never would have guessed that the flowers are cut with a die because you’ve varied each one so cleverly. Really pretty page.
All this time I was thinking beer and apple juice – yuck. Thanks to D&S for straightening that out (grin).
Thanks so much for the idea you left on my chia girl post. I love it and think it will help balance the big circle on the other side. Great idea!
Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen
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Thanks very much! I wasn’t very careful when I applied the paints to the flowers so they are all sorts of shapes …lol 😉. Beer and apple juice – yuck! ..lol 😀. Glad you like the idea and I think your chia girl is beautiful, she looks fabulous! Happy T Day! J 😊 x
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Truly gorgeous colours on this fab page Jo, love the background too and those lovely bees fluttering among the flowers!
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Thank you Astrid 😁. I hope you are having a lovely holiday, happy travels! J 😊 x
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Another great page. Hmm, next shopping trip I’ll try some ginger ale and apple juice. that sounds like a great anytime beverage. Your new paint set is awesome. I’ll look forward to seeing more of your painting creations. Happy T Day
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I like the apple with the ginger, I hope you like it too 😁. Many thanks and Happy T Day! J 😊 x
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Your journal page is looking lovely with those flowers and bees. Perfect for the summer days that will be coming to an end soon. I am loving those watercolors. I just went over to Amazon to have a look at those paints. I am thinking of getting myself a set sometime.
And your Ginger Beer looks yummy! I love ginger ale and ginger beer but it has a lot of sugar so I drink it on rare occasions. That ginger taste is the best.
Happy Tea Day, Jo!
Kate
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Thank you Kate! The paints are such beautiful colours, I love them 😁. I like ginger too, maybe you have a ginger tea that you recommend instead? Happy Tea Day! J 😊 x
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Jo i hope you have loads of fun with your watercolors!! I have some cheap brands i have yet to play with.. I think i have enough art supplies for 10 people!! lol Your journal page is just gorgeous! . Love that song too! Happy T day! Hugs! deb
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Thanks so much! Can you ever have enough art supplies … definately not …lol 😉. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
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oh my, love the colors of your Kuretake watercolors! hmmm…temptation to shop! grin… simply adorable page today…such cute bees and sentiment. you pull it all together so well! and your beverage sounds refreshing! happy T day!
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Thanks very much! The colours are amazing, I can see why you are tempted, I was too …lol 😉. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
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The vibrancy of the watercolours are wonderful, Jo! The stenciling, the book paper and the stamped bee images all combine to make a beautiful page. I love it!
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Thanks so much Kristah! It was a lovely page to create and I had so much fun with the watercolours and so much to learn too, which I love 😁. Sending you happy and creative wishes! J 😊 x
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I love this page Jo, your new watercolours look lovely and I am sure we will see more of how you use them in future. Your die cut flowers on printed paper is also a super idea. its a super bee stamp as well.
Happy T day wishes JO.
Yvonne xx
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Thanks very much! I’ve been creating some cards with the watercolours too …lol 😉. I’ve wanted a bee stamp for a while so was pleased when I saw this in a local craft shop – perfect! Sending you Happy T Day wishes too Yvonne! J 😊 x
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You’re actually the one who cleared up the ginger ale/beer thing for me lol A people separated by a common language 😉
Those watercolors are so _bright_! I never get such vibrant colors. Maybe I should try a new brand. Happy T Tuesday
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Thanks so much and I think we both must have had an “aha” moment regarding the ginger beer/ale …lol 😉. I have my hubby to thank for the watercolours, he is an ace at researching and with so many watercolours available I didn’t know where to start – these were the most vibrant, they get great reviews and the coverage is wonderful too 😁. Happy T Day! J 😊 x
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They are indeed beautiful colors. Very vibrant. I like the play on words with the bee happy and the clever reference to the song, and eventually the bee on the glass.
The little bee stamps are really nice. And your page is gorgeous.
Happy T Day,
Lisca
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Thank you dear Lisca and happy T Day wishes too! J 😊 x
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Fabulous page Jo, I have been wanting the watercolour paints for ages and still haven’t got them. Your piece has so inspired me to get them.
Thank you for sharing with us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.
Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsArtwork.
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Thanks very much! I’m sure you’ll be pleased with them when they arrive …lol 😉. Warm crafty hugs and wishes too! J 😊 x
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A gorgeous page, Jo.
Thank you for linking to MOO MANIA & MORE
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Thank you dear Rosie and have a great day! J 😊 x
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Stunning colours Jo! You used those paints perfectly on this beautiful page! Xx
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Many thanks Alison 😁. I hope you are having a lovely week! J 😊 x
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You’re welcome! Happy week! X
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Oh Jo! I have paint envy…I have often been tempted by those paints and here you are doing it again! Your page does look fabulous!! Hubby has been on a bit of a Ginger Beer craze -I have an occasional quarter glass because I love it too! Belated Happy T Day! Chrisx
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Lol …sorry to tempt you again …lol 😉. I love ginger beer too but my hubby doesn’t like ginger at all so he just has apple juice …lol 😀. Belated Happy T Day too! J 😊 x
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Those paints really are fabulous Jo, the metallics are fab too (hint Hint !!) Love how you have built up this page with those cut flowers and the bee stamp is adorable. Perfect for the song title.
I Love Ginger Beer 😀
Wishing you the best of luck with those challenges.
Big Hugs Tracey xx
P.S Sorry i missed this post, I seem to have a glitch with my blog feed grrr xx
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Thank so much Tracey! I just told my hubby about the metallic paints and for some reason he wasn’t as excited as me …lol 😉. Thanks for the tip and sending you creative hugs! J 😊 x
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Your page is lovely! I think those paint colors are very vibrant. Love the bee sentiment on there, too. Thanks for sharing, Jo! Sorry to be late, as I am last to the Tea Party! 🙂
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Lol …glad you made it 😁. Thanks so much and wishing you Happy T Day wishes! J 😊 x
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Love the little bees and the pinnk flowers, they’re all look so happy together 🙂 Have a great day!
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Thanks so much and have a great day too! J 😊 x
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Such a happy summer card.
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Thank you and Happy Sunday! J 😊 x
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Wow, that’s gorgeous! Love the colours, and the flowers & bees! The watercolour effect is beautiful. I’m off to investigate those paints. Thanks for joining us at Stamping Sensations.
Lynne
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Thanks very much for stopping by and your lovely comments! The paints are wonderful, aren’t they 😁. Creative wishes! J 😊 x
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Hi, a beautiful “flower meadow” for the bees. Your journal page is simply ingenious. Thank you for participating in Fashionable Stamping Challenges.
hugs
Hanne
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Thanks very much for stopping by and your lovely comments 😁. Wishing you a happy and creative new week! J 😊 x
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A beautiful creation! great colouring too. Thanks for sharing your favourite stamp with us at Stamping Sensations this month and good luck!
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Thanks so much! It was fun using these watercolour paints to create this page 😁. Creative wishes! J 😊 x
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