Aurora Borealis Night Sky with Watercolour Brush Pens

A project from our live show MONDAY SALE - Join me for some crafty bargains - Broadcast 14th August 23 · 14/08/2023 · watch it from 42:00

A moody night sky background created with watercolour brush pens in steely blue, fuchsia pink and orange, layered wet-on-wet to create an aurora borealis effect. A lifted moon is created by removing colour with tissue before it fully dries.

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Step by step

1. Activate your watercolour brush pens by unscrewing the cap and popping the chamber. ▶ watch 42:00
2. Wet your watercolour card thoroughly from top to bottom with clean water. ▶ watch 42:15
3. Squeeze the steely blue pen to release colour and drop it into the wet paper, allowing it to flow naturally. ▶ watch 42:45
4. Add fuchsia pink to the middle section of your wet paper. ▶ watch 43:15
5. Add orange or yellow to the lower section to create an aurora effect. ▶ watch 43:30
6. Use a clean, wet brush to move the colours around and blend them together. ▶ watch 44:00
7. Before the paper dries completely, twist your wet brush in a circular motion to create a moon shape. ▶ watch 44:45
8. Dab tissue into the moon area to lift out colour and create a lighter, glowing effect. ▶ watch 45:00
9. Add more water and tissue to enhance the moon's visibility if needed. ▶ watch 45:30
10. Allow the background to dry completely before stamping your focal image. ▶ watch 46:00

Tips from the show

• Don't be afraid to use colour boldly; the reactive inks are forgiving.
• Work on wet paper for the best blending and atmospheric effects.
• You can add a white gel pen halo around the moon after the background dries to enhance it further.

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