- watercolours
- watercolour paper
- threads - thicker than regular sewing thread, but not like yarn - unless you like yarn, then use yarn
- a needle sturdy enough to go through the paper, but not so thick It punches a hole the size of the Mariana trench
Do:
- Choose the colours of paint you want to use. Keep it simple and use just two, maybe even just one. You’ll see why.
- Wet the paper thoroughly and wait for it to dry off a little so that there's no standing puddles.
- Apply your chosen colour(s) to the paper.
- You are not trying to create a smooth wash here. Let the colour(s) work their magic on their own without controlling what it/they do too much.
- When satisfied or the paper is full, allow the piece to dry completely.
- Choose some complementary or matching threads, and sew into the paper.
- One option is to follow the outlines of any shapes the paint made as it dried, any blooming spots, etc.
- If you use multiple colours, you will likely have more options as to places to choose to sew into.
- You can do this as simply or intricately as you wish, from simple lines all the way up to embroidering the whole sheet.
Notes:
- If you're using heavily granulating watercolours, you could lay threads of your choice - from sewing thread all the way up to yarns - on the paper while it's still wet.
- Allow the piece to dry thoroughly before you remove the threads and see the magic that can occur because of the granulation.
- The lines will also offer you some other choices as to where to sew into the paper.
- Make sure that your hands are dry when you do the sewing parts, because you don't want sweaty or wet hands to reactivate your paints.