Star Series cards

Use whatever tools you desire

ACEO stands for  Art Card Edition Original, they are the standard playing card size of 2.5 x 3.5 inches. You don't  need expensive tools to work on these, this pallete of guaoche watercolors was $2.oo at a craft store.

Lay in some medium tones

This is the  first of the ACEO cards I am working on...I like to use Bamboo paper, because it so easily sustainable and I tend  to lay in some of the medium and darkest bits first to help balance where the dark areas need to be.

Layer in more color

I tried multiple layers of simple washes on each anemone tentacle then I tried a light green wash, but I will need to lift some of the color by wetting the spot and blotting with a paper towel.  You can actually erase some colors this way, but you should use a resist if you want to protect the pure white of the paper.

I enjoy working at a small size, and this is perfect for taking a few minutes of painterly joy with you.  I have a small kit that I always carry with me... a friend built me a tiny pallete with paints.  I have a paintbrush, pencil, eraser, sharpener, tiny container with a lid (usually saved from a dip or salad dressing from a restaurant) and, of course, some pre-cut cards.  A small piece of cardboard and a clip can be your art table.  You can use a little of your bottled water,  and if you cut a tiny square of sponge, you will always be able to toss the sponge into your container and seal it, so that you can rush off.  Just remember to take the sponge out, rinse it and let it dry so that you can take your kit with you the next day.