Scrapbook How-to: Creating a Rainbow Blended Watercolor Background

Watercolors are such a fun product to play around with and there are many different ways you can apply them to your scrapbooking projects. One of my favorite ways to use watercolors is to create a blend of multiple colors.

On this layout I used four colors to create a rainbow blend across the background of my layout.

I've included a quick step-by-step to show you how you can create a similar look.

Supplies Needed:

• watercolors

• plastic artist palette or cups

• large watercolor brush

• water

• optional: masking tape

Step #1 - Add masking tape around the edges of the cardstock.

Use pieces long enough to cover the whole side. Do not remove the tape until the paper is completely dry. This is to keep the paper from warping too much. It will warp as you paint, but as it dries it will straighten back out.

Step #2 - Add a drop of each watercolor to a separate cup in the artist palette.

Then add a small amount of water to each color.

Step #3 - Paint the first color on the left side.

I use large strokes up and down the paper to create a line of watercolor. The large brush makes it easier to cover a lot of paper with each swipe up and down.

Step #4 - Add the second color next to the first color.

Paint the second color next to the first color. Leave a little bit of space between the two colors at first. When you are happy with the second color, then start blending the first and second colors together.

I used yellow for my second color and when blended with the pink, it created an orange color.

Step #5 - Add the third color.

Paint the third color next to the second color and just like the first two colors, leave a little bit of space between the second and third colors. When you are happy with the third color, start blending the second and third color together, covering the space you left between them.

I used green for my third color and when blended with the yellow it created a kind of neon-ish yellow color.

Step #6 - Add the fourth color.

Just like the last few steps, paint the fourth color next to the third color leaving a little bit of space between the two colors. When you are happy with the fourth color, start blending the third and fourth color together, covering the space you left between them.

I used a teal watercolor for my fourth color and when blended with the green it created a greenish-blue color.

Here's a closer look at my finished layout:

Creating watercolor blends are super easy and you can customize them to match whatever colors you are using. I matched my rainbow of colors to the patterned papers I was using.

To help highlight the rainbow of watercolors, I added some hand-stitched lines in coordinating colors.

This layout was made with 6 x 6" papers and is also going to be in a new video I've got showcasing full size layouts that use 6 x 6" papers. It's coming up later this week so keep an eye out for it!