How to decorate a greeting card

Artists' Recommendations

Pitt Artist Pen Brush India ink pen

studio box of 12

Adults
Teenagers

60 min

What you need:

You will find the lists of materials in the following descriptions.

final cards: flower greetings, happy birthday and invitation card

Instructions for "handwriting" card

List of materials

Blank card (e.g. Artoz), natural, format 15.5 x 15.5 cm (open: 15.5 x 31 cm), pencil, graphite transfer paper, eraser, ruler (metal if possible), scissors, glue, decorative ribbon, Art Grip Aquarelle 133, Art Grip Aquarelle 166, Art Grip Aquarelle 109, Pitt Artist Pen Calligraphy 133

Step 1

Print out template at 100 % of actual size. Place template on drawing board and, if necessary, secure to one edge with adhesive tape.
Lay graphite paper, dark side down, underneath the template sheet. Trace the lines of the flower. After the first few lines, lift graphite paper to check that the lines have been transferred. The lines should only be faint, so that they do not show through when they are subsequently coloured. Use the eraser to lighten the lines where necessary after tracing.

Step 2

Carefully remove template sheet. Using Art Grip Aquarelle 133, colour the outer petals, then colour the centre of the flower with Art Grip Aquarelle 166 and 109. Apply a wash with brush and water, starting with just the outer petals, so that the colour does not mix with the green at the centre. Allow paint to dry then apply wash to centre of flower. Allow to dry completely.

Step 3

Step 4

At intervals of about 1.3 cm, draw guide lines across the card for the text. Turn card and draw 3 or 4 lines sloping at the same angle. The angle should correspond to the angle of your own handwriting. These lines assist orientation while writing and ensure a uniform typeface.

Step 5

Using Pitt Artist Pen Calligraphy 133, write the birthday wishes freehand in the various languages one after the other.

Step 6

Erase the guide lines. Cut out a reactangle measuring 6 x 14 cm from the green Japanese paper and stick it along the left edge of the card. The gaps to the top and bottom edges of the card should be the same if possible. Cut decorative ribbon to length, and trim round at the edges. Tie the ribbon together in the middle with a thread or fine wire and stick onto card. Finally, stick the flower on

Instructions for "flower" greetings card

List of materials

Blank card (e.g. Artoz), dark red, portrait format 10.5 x 21 cm (open: 21 x 21 cm), watercolour paper or drawing board, white or natural Pencil, graphite transfer paper, eraser, ruler (metal if possible), craft knife or scissors, adhesive tape, glue, decorative tape or ribbon, Art Grip Aquarelle 121, Art Grip Aquarelle 118, Art Grip Aquarelle 134, Art Grip Aquarelle 230

Step 1

Print out template at 100% of actual size. Place template on drawing board and, if necessary, secure to one edge with adhesive tape. Lay graphite paper, dark side down, underneath the template sheet. Trace the lines on the template sheet. After the first few lines, lift graphite paper to check that the lines have been transferred. The lines should only be faint, so that they do not show through when they are subsequently coloured. Use the eraser to lighten the lines where necessary after tracing.

Step 2

Colour in flowers with Art Grip Aquarelle 121, emphasise the flower centres with Art Grip Aquarelle 118 in a star shape. Partially overlapping the colours creates lively mixtures of colours when the water is subsequently brushed on. Colour in leaves with Art Grip Aquarelle 230.

Tip

Test the colour mixtures and intensity on a separate sheet of watercolour paper beforehand!

Step 3

Apply wash with brush and water to the areas one after another. It is recommended that adjacent petals are not washed at the same time, as otherwise the colours may bleed into one another. So work on the petals alternately, in order to maintain clear outlines. Provided the painted area of the flowers is still damp, there is still an opportunity to intensify the areas that have already been washed. To do this, apply colour with the Aquarelle pen to a separate piece of drawing board, dissolve the colour slightly with the brush and dab it onto the damp watercolour picture. To intensify the colour at the centre of the flowers, use Art Grip Aquarelle 134.

Step 4

Find a photograph of a model in a fashion magazine that fits the size of the card and cut it out. Cut of the head, hands, legs and accessories and stick the picture onto the card. Then using a pencil, sketch in the "new outfit". Using stencil or coin, cut circles around the figure or, as shown here, in the clothing.

Instructions for "Happy Birthday" card

List of materials

Blank card (e.g. Artoz), light grey or natural format 10.5 x 21 cm (open: 21 x 21 cm), pencil, eraser, circular stencil (or use coin as substitute), scissors, glue, Art Grip Aquarelle 166, Art Grip Aquarelle 119, Art Grip Aquarelle 133, Pitt Artist Pen Brush 167, Pitt Artist Pen Brush 118

Step 1

Step 2

Paint the areas of the dress with Art GRIP Aquarelle 133.

Step 3

Apply a wash to the area with brush and water and then allow to dry.

Step 4

Using Art GRIP Aquarelle 119, colour in half the circles and apply wash. Allow to dry.

Step 5

Using Art GRIP Aquarelle 166, colour in the remainder of the circles and apply wash. Allow to dry.

Step 6

Step 7

Using Pitt Artist Pen 167, put small dots around the green circles and draw spirals in the remaining circles with Pitt Artist Pen 118. Draw 13 circles on a suitable envelope, colour in with Art Grip Aquarelle and apply wash. After drying, apply decorative touches as in the dress and write in the letters of HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Instructions for invitation card

List of materials

Blank card (e.g. Artoz), light grey, format 10.5 x 21 cm (open: 21 x 21 cm), smooth drawing board (watercolour paper if possible), white or natural pencil, graphite transfer paper, eraser, ruler (metal if possible), scissors, adhesive tape, glue, Art Grip Aquarelle 125, Art Grip Aquarelle 133, Art Grip Aquarelle 134, Art Grip Aquarelle 137, Pitt Artist Pen "F" black

Step 1

Freely colour in an area using all specified Art Grip Aquarelle pens. Overlap the colours to achieve a lively area of colour after subsequent water wash is applied. TIP: Test the colour mixtures and intensity on a separate sheet of watercolour paper beforehand!

Step 2

Apply a wash to the area with brush and water and then allow to dry.

Step 3

Select an attractive section of this painted area, draw around it and cut it out. The area should be large enough for the first letter to fit easily onto it.

Step 4

Print out template at 100% of actual size. Place the template on the watercoloured cutout and transfer the design with graphite paper and pencil. To do this, lay graphite paper, dark side down, underneath the template sheet. Trace the letters with a pencil.