Block Painted Stamped Card with Escape the Ordinary

A project from our live show MIGHTY MONDAY - Join Toni for her detailed papercrafting sessions - Broadcast 17th Feb 2025 · 17/02/2025 · watch it from 8:45

A stamped card coloured using a block painting technique rather than traditional blending. You stamp a large detailed image in black ink, then paint different areas in bold blocks of colour to create an artistic, poster-like effect with white highlights.

You will need

Imala - A5 Stamp - Escape the Ordinary - 250424ESEE IT Imala - A5 Stamp - Just Passing By - 230124ASEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Gather watercolour card, black ink pad, multiple coloured ink pads, a brush, water, and tissue. ▶ watch 8:45
2. Stamp your chosen large-scale stamp design onto the textured side of the watercolour card using a black waterproof ink pad, pressing firmly to get crisp detail. ▶ watch 18:00
3. Select your first colour ink pad and brush water onto it to activate the colour, then paint blocks of colour into different areas of the stamped design—not the whole section, just parts of it. ▶ watch 24:00
4. Switch to a second colour and paint more blocks in different areas, such as parts of buildings, clothing, or paths, keeping the lines directional and artistic. ▶ watch 25:30
5. Continue adding blocks of colour using different ink pads, changing colours frequently and painting only portions of each section rather than filling it completely. ▶ watch 27:45
6. Be confident with colour placement and don't blend the colours together; let them sit as distinct blocks to create the artistic effect. ▶ watch 32:00
7. Once you've coloured most areas, add random colour splashes or speckles by flicking water and colour onto the design for extra texture. ▶ watch 39:00
8. Sprinkle water across the painted design and let it sit briefly, then mop up the excess water with tissue to create white highlights and soften some edges. ▶ watch 43:15
9. Allow the card to dry completely, then trim it to your desired finished size and mount onto a card base if desired. ▶ watch 45:15

Tips from the show

• This technique is great for mindfulness and creates an artistic, poster-like look rather than a traditional watercolour blend.
• You don't need to colour the entire section in one colour—paint only parts of each area to maintain the blocky effect.
• Be mindful when placing colours next to each other; avoid putting colours that mix to muddy tones (like orange and green) directly adjacent if possible.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly