How to Paint an Easy DIY Watercolor Valentine Card

I’m a self-taught artist who loves sharing tips and tutorials for painting with watercolor and gouache, and using the Procreate app on the iPad.

Learn how to make an easy DIY watercolor Valentine card. This cute card features a simple floral heart shape that is perfect for beginners.

This tutorial used basic watercolor painting skills for painting roses and simple leaves.

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DIY Watercolor Valentine Card

Supplies Needed:

Watercolor Paint
Watercolor Paper (watercolor cards are also available)
Watercolor Brush (I used a round #4)
Paper Cutter (if you don’t have watercolor cards)
ColErase Pencil
Kneaded Eraser

I used my new Schminke watercolor paints for this tutorial, but you can use whatever you have.

I’ve written about good paints to start with and reviewed the affordable Koi set.

ColErase pencils are my favorite pencils to use under watercolor because they blend in much better than a graphite pencil.

Instructions

If you’re not using watercolor cards, cut your paper to size. Cards are typically 5″ x 7″, so cut your paper to 7″ x 10″.
Use a bone folder to fold your paper.
Lightly draw a heart in the center of the paper. Use a kneaded eraser to remove as much of the pencil as possible. (I used a ColErase photo pencil, so it’s pretty hard to see.)
Paint small flowers evenly spaced around the heart. These are just simple 5 or 6 petal flowers.
Add roses evenly spaced. I used my rose painting technique but got a little messier and looser.
Next, add the greenery. I added blue branch-type leaves and green leaves to the flowers.
If there are any empty spaces, they can be filled in with small details like dots and hearts.