We have always loved watercolour paintings. Ever since we were little kids, we’ve thought the effect was stunning and the technique was a whole lot of fun. Sometimes, however, it’s nice to try alternative projects that simply emulate the beauty and effect of your favourite kind of art, so you can enjoy it in all kinds of new ways. That’s how we found ourselves combing through all kinds of DIY watercolour painting inspired projects!
Just in case you love the idea of making watercolour painting inspired crafts and DIY projects as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the most stunning ideas that we’ve come across in our search so far.
1. Pastel watercolour napkins
Just because you’ve seen plenty of very bright watercolour paintings out there before doesn’t mean you have to create something with lots of dense colour. If dying projects and pastel colours are your thing, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Alice & Lois dip dyed these stunning subtle ombre fabric napkins.
2. Watercolour dyed canvas sneakers
Just in case you’re in love with the pastel watercolour dying techniques but you don’t really find yourself using fabric napkins on a regular basis, here’s a project idea that you might find a little more intriguing! Take a look at Brit + Co. to learn how these fantastic colour wash inspired running shows were made.
3. Watercolour stationery stamps
One of our favourite alternative watercolour painting techniques to simply using our brushes is to paint onto rubber stamps instead of directly onto the page and then stamp little images and greetings! We can’t get over the lovely stationery that By Dawn Nicole used this technique to make.
4. Watercolour painted monogram letters
Maybe you’re not totally adverse to doing actual watercolour techniques but you’ve been thinking of trying them out and practicing doing them on slightly more unconventional surfaces? In that case, we think perhaps you’ll get a kick out of the way Craftaholics Anonymous created beautiful ombre and dual colour wash effects on these crafting letters to make lovely monograms.
5. Napkins with watercolour stripes
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about watercolour painting inspired fabric napkins but you’re not sure a pastel ombre is quite the effect you’re looking for? Then maybe you’d prefer to try this colour spread stripes idea featured step by step on Almost Makes Perfect!
6. Rainbow watercolour notebook
Something about the idea of making over the outside of a notebook really appeals to us because we quite often keep artistic works like sketches and writing inside, so it’s like we’re creating art on art! That’s probably why we liked this idea for watercolour stripes on the outside of a notebook so much. Take a look at how it’s made on Brit + Co.
7. Watercolour dip dyed wooden letter decor
Did you love the watercolour inspired monogram idea we showed you earlier on our list but you’re just not sure that the idea of actually painting with your brushes fully appeals to you, since you were actually looking for alternative crafts? Then maybe you’d rather create watercolour looking letters by dip dying wood instead! Darice guides you through the process step by step.
8. Watercolour inspired stamped and painted gift tags
Were you intrigued by the idea of making stationery based things with stamps but you think you’d rather create a colour wash style background or based and just stamp the lettering? In that case, we think you should take a look at how Eat, Drink, Chic made these lovely little gift tags that look like watercolour art thanks to paper dying.
9. Watercolour effect tea plates
These might look like plates being used by an artist who is currently working on something but that’s actually the finished product of this stunning watercolour effects tea plate featured on Fall for DIYs. Their tutorial shows you how to marble the surface of the plate in a natural way and seal it so it’s safe to eat off of and wash.
10. Watercolour dyed backpack
Are you still thinking about the watercolour effect shoes we showed you earlier on our list but you’re worried they’ll get too dirty, so you’d rather put all that careful work into something else? In that case, we think these lovely watercolour inspired, hand dyed backpacks will be a little more up your alley! Get the full details for making your own on Brit + Co.
11. Watercolour painted eggs
Are you actually quite a talented hand painter and you’ve simply been looking for some inspiration in the watercolour projects department because you’d like to start diversifying the surfaces you usually paint on? In that case, we think you’ll get a real kick out of the way Elise Engh Studios used their paints to create these stunning floral watercolour Easter eggs.
12. Watercolour effect dipped mugs
Just in case you loved the marbled dishes idea but you don’t actually think you’ll get much use out of decorative tea plates, here’s a stunning DIY mug idea instead! We love the way Her Campus made these fantastic mugs that are coloured delicately like a watercolour painting and sealed for durability and washing so you can use them all the time for your morning coffee.
13. Watercolour fruit paper collage
Are you pretty confident in your watercolour painting techniques but you still can’t help wanting to display your work in ways that are a little more creative? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at the way Ink Struck cut out the pieces of their painting and turned them into a pretty collage on a contrasting backing piece.
14. Watercolour painted cacti tutorial
Just in case all this talk about watercolour painting inspired techniques has got you thinking about how you’d actually really love the opportunity to learn more about this kind of painting itself, here’s a great tutorial from Ink Struck that walks you through some of the most basic techniques and shapes. They teach you how to make cacti!
15. Watercolour inspired dyed wooden blocks
Are you still thinking about how much you loved the watercolour inspired dyed wood effect we showed you earlier but you’re just not sure that you need another piece of quote art or another set of monograms? Well, whether you’re making them as toys for your kids or decor for yourself, we’d suggest checking out these fantastic rainbow blocks and how they were dyed on Jones Design Co.
