How to Make Watercolor Bookmarks (Beginners Tutorial)

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How to Make Watercolor Bookmarks (Beginners Tutorial)

Learn how to paint watercolor bookmarks easily for the the perfect diy bookmark.

These make a great gift in addition to a favorite book!

Let me show you how to create these awesome watercolor effects effortlessly!

I absolutely love how these vivid and bright, beautiful bookmarks turned out!

They take just a little bit of time, some painter's tape, watercolor liquid, not much water and a piece of paper to create your own watercolor bookmark.

This technique can be used for handmade greeting cards, notes, Artist Trading Cards, and other papercrafts.

I absolutely love how these vivid and bright, beautiful bookmarks turned out! They take just a little bit of time, some painter's tape, watercolor liquid, not much water and a piece of paper to create your own watercolor bookmark. This technique can be used for handmade greeting cards, notes, Artist Trading Cards, and other papercrafts.

Are you part of the real book lovers club?

Do you have a stack of books to read on your nightstand?

How do you keep track of your place in a book...are you a monster and dog-ear the pages?

Do you grab whatever is closest...like a receipt or post-it note to use as a bookmark?

Do you have a selection of beautiful bookmarks to hold place for you in all your books?

Are you part of the real book lovers club? Do you have a stack of books to read on your nightstand? How do you keep track of your place in a book...are you a monster and dog-ear the pages? Do you grab whatever is closest...like a receipt or post-it note to use as a bookmark? Do you have a selection of beautiful bookmarks to hold place for you in all your books?

Supplies Needed for Watercolor Bookmarks:

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Step 1: Watercolor Paper

Begin by placing one sheet of watercolor paper on a water resistant work surface.

One sheet of paper is enough paper for a set of 4 bookmarks.

Step 2: Tape Off

Tape the watercolor paper in place by taping across the top of the paper.

Tape across the bottom and then right in the center.

Then tape across the center of each of the halves created by the center piece of tape.

This sections the paper off into 4 pieces for the perfect bookmark size.

Then tape off the edges of the paper.

(If you are doing watercolor resist with a white crayon, now is the time to use it.)

Tape across the bottom and then right in the center. Then tape across the center of each of the halves created by the center piece of tape. This sections the paper off into 4 pieces for the perfect bookmark size. Then tape off the edges of the paper. (If you are doing watercolor resist with a white crayon, now is the time to use it.)

Step 3: Water

The next step is to use a paintbrush and paint just water over the top of the watercolor paper.

A thin layer of paper will help the watercolor ink blend beautifully.

Step 4: Watercolor Painting Sunset

Now open up the Ecoline Liquid Watercolor.

I'm doing 2 bookmarks in a sunset sky pattern and 2 in a galaxy print.

Start with the RED watercolor.

Paint the top of the bookmark with the red paint...just about 1/2 inch to an inch of red across the top.

Then paint orange right under the red, then move to yellow, followed by green watercolor paint.

I love the liquid watercolor--they are super vivid and don't fade out when it dries like most watercolors.

They blend gorgeously!

Then paint orange right under the red, then move to yellow, followed by green watercolor paint. I love the liquid watercolor--they are super vivid and don't fade out when it dries like most watercolors. They blend gorgeously!

Then add blue along the base of the bookmark...if you have room remaining you can add violet too.

Step 5: Watercolor Painting Galaxy

For the galaxy background pattern, begin with blue watercolor liquid and spot it on here and there.

Then add purple to the watercolor paper bookmarks here and there around the blue patches.

Now add some green here and there around the purple and blue.

Let it blend and bleed as it does naturally.

Step 6: Blotting

Use a baby wipe or napkin to gently blot the pools of watercolor.

You can leave it there and just let it dry, but blotting it will help it dry faster.

Step 7: Black Night Painting

Finally, open up the black Ecoline Liquid Watercolor for the finishing touch for the galaxy background pattern.

Use the paintbrush and paint black watercolor around the splotches of colors and around the edges.

Leave some of the color showing through, but add a bold amount of black!

Step 8: Drying Watercolor

Set the watercolor bookmarks aside to dry.

If you are in a hurry, use a blow dryer on a low speed to dry the paint a little faster.

I was able to set these aside and work on another project...and then when I was done with that project, these watercolor bookmarks were dry and ready for decoration.

Step 8: Drying Watercolor Set the watercolor bookmarks aside to dry. If you are in a hurry, use a blow dryer on a low speed to dry the paint a little faster. I was able to set these aside and work on another project...and then when I was done with that project, these watercolor bookmarks were dry and ready for decoration.

Step 9: Bookmark Decorations

Now it's time to decorate your watercolor book marks!

I used a gold Uni-Ball Signo gel pen and it is divine.

It writes so smoothly and boldly on top of the watercolors.

Write a fun little book related quote on the bookmarks and draw some stars, dots and whatever else your heart desires.

Use a black gel pen or Mono liner for the sunset bookmarks...draw silhouette pine, palm or aspen trees, a mountain scene or lovely flowers, vines and leaves.

Eat Breathe Read

Bookmarks are for Quitters

Books are Magic

One More Chapter

Which of these vibrant, colorful bookmarks is your favorite?

Do you like the sunset, golden hour vibe...or the galactic nighttime vibe?

I absolutely love them both!

The best part is making them, watercolors are addictive, and a wonderful, calming stress relief!

Which of these vibrant, colorful bookmarks is your favorite? Do you like the sunset, golden hour vibe...or the galactic nighttime vibe? I absolutely love them both! The best part is making them, watercolors are addictive, and a wonderful, calming stress relief!

And a little touch of gold is the perfect finishing touch on everything!

Try out these gel pens, you will love them--and will want them added to your art supplies!

That's it!

Make the perfect watercolor bookmarks with liquid watercolors and gel pens.

This watercolor blending technique is perfect for making handmade cards, artist trading cards, gift tags and any other fun paper crafts.

If you are a real book reader, you need a gorgeous bookmark to hold your place in your epic fictional fantasy!

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Make the perfect watercolor bookmarks with liquid watercolors and gel pens. This watercolor blending technique is perfect for making handmade cards, artist trading cards, gift tags and any other fun paper crafts. If you are a real book reader, you need a gorgeous bookmark to hold your place in your epic fictional fantasy!

Here's some other fun Bookmark Crafts!

Japanese Paper Doll Bookmarks

Learn how to make Japanese Paper Dolls with origami paper.

These adorable layered geisha girls are the perfect handmade gift tags, bookmarks or even wall art.

It's not an origami bookmark (paper folding with no glue), but use the vibrant shades and different colors of origami paper to capture the traditional origami vibe...as a paper doll--that makes the perfect bookmark!

How to Make Japanese Paper Dolls with Origami Paper Learn how to make Japanese Paper Dolls with origami paper. These adorable layered geisha girls are the perfect handmade gift tags, bookmarks or even wall art. These are not origami (paper folding with no glue), but use the vibrant shades of origami paper to capture the traditional origami vibe...as a paper doll.

Butterfly Bookmark DIY

Learn how to make a folded butterfly, heart or flower bookmarks using a few simple supplies...I used colored pencils but you could use Dual Brush Pens too!

Attention book lovers, make the perfect bookmark for keeping track of your page as well as looking beautiful for Spring!

Monarch butterfly bookmark and rainbow heart bookmark peeking out of the top of notebooks on a table.

Make an Engraved Bookmark with xTool!

Learn how easy it is to make an engraved wood bookmark with the xTool M1 laser cutting machine.

This fun engraved bookmark--different projects great for older kids--would make a great handmade gift, decoration piece or used as a gift tag!

The visual appeal of engraved wood has endless possibilities!

This would make a great Father's day gift too--for a man that loves a fabulous reading experience.

Make an Engraved Bookmark with xTool! Learn how easy it is to make an engraved wood bookmark with the xTool M1 laser cutting machine. This fun engraved bookmark would make a great handmade gift, decoration piece or used as a gift tag!

Paperclip Bookmarks Made with FastCast Resin

Make a darling bookmark with a paper clip and some regal resin shapes painted with metallic paints.

This is a perfect craft for a book club, quick gift for a family member or just for fun.

Create the perfect paperclip bookmark with FastCast resin, metallic paint and a little twine.

Make a darling bookmark with a paperclip and some regal resin shapes painted with metallic paints. This is a perfect craft for a book club, quick gift or for fun. Create the perfect paperclip bookmark with FastCast resin, metallic paint and a little twine.

Craft Foam Bookmarks made with Cricut Maker Knife Blade

The Cricut Maker 3 is so versatile and has an array of adaptive tools that make every project a cinch!

I am in love with the Cricut Knife Blade and its many uses.

The knife blade can cut various shapes and materials: leather, basswood, balsa wood, chipboard, matte board, faux leather and craft foam.

This craft foam bookmark is so quick and perfect for a first try at the Cricut Knife Blade.

Bookmarks with Laura Kelly Sprinkle Kindness Stamps!

I love rubber stamping and I love papercrafts. Laura Kelly released these cute stamps with heartfelt messages; perfect for gift tags, handmade cards, bookmarks and more!

The foil paper works with the toner paper using a heat laminator and could not be more fun--but scrapbook paper works too!

This is the perfect way to share a little extra love--the whole bookmark is just beaming!

Just add a hole with a hole punch and some twine for the perfect fringe tassel.

Bookmarks with Laura Kelly Sprinkle Kindness Stamps! I received these darling stamps and supplies from Laura Kelly to create something wonderful! I love rubber stamping and I love papercrafts. Laura Kelly just released these cute stamps with heartfelt messages; perfect for gift tags, handmade cards, bookmarks and more! The foil paper works with the toner paper using a heat laminator and could not be more fun. Let's get started!

Book Lover Quotes FREE Bookmark Printable

Bookmarks for the Book Worm! These 6 homemade bookmarks are brush lettered book lover quotes.

Anyone with a love of books will appreciate the quotes on these bookmark designs.

This is an easy way to make a beautiful bookmark--just a high quality print on card stock and lamination for a long lasting bookmark.

What's your favorite book--free templates / free printables available on this post.

Ribbon and Button Bookmarks!

This is such a fun and simple craft, elastic bookmarks fit all sizes of books an make really cute bookmarks.

It is an easy project and perfect for youth to learn how to sew on a button--let them pick their color scheme and they'll be a big hit.

I taught a group of 20 tweens how to put these together--excellent for those fine motor skills.

You will need Ribbon, Buttons, hair elastic and needle/thread--and sewing machine.

Vintage Style Gold Tassel Ribbon Bookmark!

No book place holder is quite as fancy as this pretty bookmark with Parisian vibe ribbon.

With a gold tassel and electroplated shimmery beads--it's a crowd pleaser and a great way to make the perfect gift for Mother's day.

Ribbon bookmarks are great for handmade gifts, leaving on a decorative book, using it for actually book place marking or just for fun!

David Tennant Peeking Time Lord Bookmark

If you are a fan of Doctor Who, you'll know that David Tennant is the most iconic and loveable!

This little clip of him peeking over the office cubical in "Partners in Crime" is perfection--he belongs in a good book!

Free printable bookmark templates to make a bunch of your own--they'll definitely leave a lasting impression--great for geeky gifts, library crafts and Fan Con freebies!

(this post is from 2014 and it still gets LOTS of love!)