Fall Foliage

Superb Autumn colours ... that's what I am thinking after I read this theme.
I had no idea as to the designs but I was going to watercolour the cards...... definitely.
The idea for my first card came to me as I lay awake in my bed one night.  I was listening to the rain..... in the dark..... and the idea popped into my head ..... an umbrella in the rain over the fallen leaves!
I took all the cards and paints away on my holidays with me  ..... if it rains then I have something to do....
It didn't rain .... but I did spend a day in the chalet ...... painting!!


I lightly sketched out my design and then started to paint in the details.... the grey sky, the blue umbrella and then the wonderful autumn leaves.  When I came back home I added the rain drops using a white watercolour pencil.

While I waited for the grey background to dry I painted in the background for my next card.  This time I went darker, a really dark night this would be.  I had seen a birthday card on Pinterest where the background was black with bright leaves popping.  Once the background was dry .... I painted in the leaves with white paint and then added the colours.  

When I arrived home I added more details with my watercolour pencils, brightening up the colours of the leaves.

After I finished painting the leaves on both cards, I painted a background on my third card with the idea of using diecuts from this background.  
When I arrived home, I couldn't find a die that I liked so started to sort through my stamps ..... I found a big leaf sponge one ... that's it, I would heat emboss this leaf!!  I used some clear embossing powder and kept embossing until I had a thick covering.  

I found out some Steampunk background paper from when I was making the backgrounds swap.  I had brayed some acrylic paints onto paper and then stamped Steampunk leaves and gears with Versafine Sepia ink.  It was the right colour and when I looked at it closely ..... If I cut a card shape at the right section, it will have a leaf centre point.  I cut out the card from this paper and then highlighted some of the gears etc. with my watercolour pencils.


I am very pleased with these four cards, maybe they are not all watercoloured but I think they are beautiful.
UPDATE:-
I have received these great cards.



Beautiful pastel drawing.
Thank you Crafty3790

Very clear geometric leaf.

Thank you PatJ.

Gorgeous soft pastel, I LOVE this sooo much.

THANK YOU Bunnymther.

Our wonderful Hostess, CastleQueen5, sent me these 'leaf' diecuts as a thank you.

Thank you for a wonderful swap.