Ombre watercolor initial

DIY Ombre watercolor Initial

Materials needed: 

picture frame 

paint for frame (I used delta creative ceramcoat in Laguna blue)

watercolors (michael's)

watercolor paper (michael's) 

paint brush

cup of water

vinyl letter stickers (mine are 3 inches from hobby lobby)

antiquing glaze (lowes)

foam brush

damp paper towels 

Step 1: Apply two coats of paint to your picture frame and allow to completely dry. 

Step 2: This step is optional. Take a foam brush and dip into the antiquing glaze. Apply one side at a time. Once you have the side covered, take a damp paper towel and wipe the excess off. You do not want the glaze to cover the whole frame. Once dry it is hard to remove the glaze. Apply as many times till you get your desired look. 

(here is a better picture of the antiquing glaze.)

Step 3: Put your vinyl letter sticker on your paper. (*please don't look at how awfully off center and crooked my L is!!) Make sure to press out all the air bubbles. Get your watercolor(s) ready. Dip your paint brush into the water then into the color of your choosing. Swirl in the paint to fully coat the paint brush. The color will be dark at this point. 

(here is a better picture of the watercolor paper)

Step 4: Apply the watercolor to the paper. If the color is too dark, dip your paint brush into the cup of water then back to your paper. This process will dilute the color toning it down a little. 

Step 5: Continue step 4 but as you work up the paper slowly make the colors lighter. You are going from a very dark color to white to get the ombre effect.

Step 6: Allow to dry for 20 to 30 minutes. Then peel the vinyl sticker off. Once your frame is dry you can place the paper in the frame!