Watercolor a FREE Cactus Printable

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Get professional watercolor results with Tombow Dual Brush Pens? YES! Because they're not just for lettering. Water-based Dual Brush Pens are the perfect medium to Watercolor a FREE Cactus Printable hand-drawn by me! Quick and easy to complete with a few simple tips, tricks, and techniques that will amaze.

A FREE Cactus Printable to Watercolor with Tombow Dual Brush Pens

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Here's what you need to Watercolor Cactus:

• Tombow Dual Brush Pens
  • 173 Willow Green
  • 177 Dark Jade
  • 277 Dark Green
  • 346 Sea Green
  • 837 Wine Red
  • 985 Chrome Yellow
• Water Brush, 3-Pack from Tombow
• Blending Palette from Tombow
• Water
• Paper Towel
• Mixed Media Paper (I used Strathmore Series 400 in 140lb.)
• Tombow MONOTWIN Permanent Marker (for tracing)
• Cricut BrightPad (for tracing)
• Paper Trimmer
• Cactus Blending Chart, Color Chart, Instructions – download below ⇓
• FREE Cactus Printable – download below ⇓

NOTE ON PENS:

Any water-based markers and/or pens can be used to successfully complete this tutorial, even the kiddos washable markers will work. Tombow Dual Brush Pens are my go-to for watercolor, but you can also use watercolors in tube, pencil or pot form. Always complete the color blending chart prior to watercoloring your image for the best results.

NOTE ON PAPER:

Any mixed media or watercolor paper will work with this tutorial. Use the brand and weight that you have on hand. When printing the cactus image directly on mixed media or watercolor paper you must use a laser printer, as an inkjet printed image will bleed once water is added. I always print my image on regular printer paper and trace the image onto mixed media or watercolor paper with my Tombow MONOTWIN Permanent Marker, but any permanent marker will work. For tracing, I use a Cricut BrightPad, but you can tape your images to a sunny window and then trace.

Be creative and resourceful, using the supplies YOU have on hand in your craft stash. The most important part of this tutorial is to HAVE FUN CREATING!

Download the four FREE Printables needed to create a Watercolor Cactus

Here's how to create a Watercolor Cactus with Tombow Dual Brush Pens:

Color Chart

Completing a color chart can be a bit time consuming, but I find it to be the most important part of any coloring process. Use my download above or create one of your own from mixed media paper, a MONOTWIN Permanent Marker, and a ruler. Begin by adding color from each Tombow Dual Brush Pen where the numbers intersect and then blend with the small round Water Brush.

Add two-thirds of the horizontal color to each rectangle in that row, then add one-third of the vertical color. Blend each rectangle carefully with the small round Water Brush. Apply color directly from each pen in the solid column and don't blend. In the H2O column add one line of color and blend in an ombre effect with the water brush.

Wet on Wet

Paint image with chisel tip Water Brush and clean water.  Place color on the Blending Palette with the brush tip of the Dual Brush Pen.  Pick up color with the Water Brush and apply it to the wet image while gently pressing on the barrel.  Control the amount of water added and allow the paint to flow organically as it dries.  This technique has the least amount of control but creates the most interesting textures.  Experiment with strokes, dots of color, and other patterns.

Wet on Dry

Place color on the Blending Palette with the brush tip of the Dual Brush Pen.  Pick up color with the chisel tip Water Brush and apply it to the image while gently squeezing on the barrel.  More water creates a transparent color, while less creates an opaque color with a sketchy quality to the strokes.  Colors will dry lighter.  This technique has the most control.

Direct Blending

Add color (one or multiple) directly to the image with Dual Brush Pen.  Use the brush tip of the pen for larger areas and the bullet tip for details.  Apply less color for a light result and more color for an opaque result.  Blend colors with chisel tip Water Brush by gently squeezing the barrel.  Do not overwork the colors or you will lose the contrast. 

Indirect Blending

Place color (one or multiple) on the Blending Palette with the brush tip of the Dual Brush Pen.  Pick up the color(s) with the medium round Water Brush as you mix the colors together, and paint the image while squeezing gently on the barrel.  Continue to paint the image, adding more water to create an ombre effect.  While still wet, push a drop of water from the Water Brush to create organic mixing of the colors.  When dry, push a drop of water from the Water Brush to create a highlight.  Mix, blend and add water to create a variety of colors from a limited palette.

Whether you are diving further into watercolor, hand lettering, coloring or working in your planner Tombow Dual Brush Pens and MONOTWIN Permanent Markers are a crazy versatile supply to add to your craft stash. I use mine every day.

More Watercolor Tutorials and FREE Printables

If you LOVE using your Tombow Dual Brush Pens to Watercolor then check out my FREE Floral Globe Printable to Watercolor with Dual Brush Pens and create a lovely piece of home decor! Click through for the 10 Best Craft Studio Organizing Ideas that include your space and your supplies! A quick and easy Ombre Art from the Heart with Tombow Dual Brush Pens is perfect for home decor.

Additional Lettering, Coloring, and Watercolor Workshops are available on the Tombow website, please click below ⇓ to sign-up through my affiliate link.

Thanks for stopping by!