Watercolor Holiday Hand-lettered Card

Learn how to create this gorgeous and easy Watercolor Holiday Hand-lettered card in this step-by-step tutorial.

Step by Step Watercolor Hand-Lettered Holiday Card Video Tutorial

Prefer watching over reading? Feel free to watch the step-by-step tutorial to create this Watercolor Holiday Hand-Lettered Card. All the tools I use are linked below.

Quick note: This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy here. 

WATERCOLOR HAND-LETTERED HOLIDAY CARD STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL

STEP 1: SKETCH A RECTANGLE IN THE BOTTOM PART OF THE CARD

To sketch the rectangle or thick line in the bottom part of the card, measure half an inch from the border, then one inch and a half, and make small marks.

Then, add the painter’s tape where you made the marks.

QUICK TIP:

Make sure you put a scrap piece of paper between the card and your desk. Since we’re using paint, we want to make sure it doesn’t get everyone.

STEP 2: PAINT INSIDE THE RECTANGLE.

Using a brush and acrylic or watercolor, paint inside the rectangle denoted by the painter’s tape you put down in the previous step

I’m adding a second quote of paint. To speed up the drying process, I recommend you use a heat gun. I bought mine a long time ago at Michales, but here’s a similar one from Amazon.

Once you’re satisfied with how your paint looks, remove the painter’s tape slowly.

Peeling the tape might damage your paper a little bit. But don’t worry, we can fix that by adding an outline with the gold paint pen.

STEP 2: DOODLE SNOWFLAKES AND ADD DETAILS TO THE RECTANGLE

Now it’s time to draw snowflakes inside the rectangle using the silver pen.

I’m doodling three different types of snowflakes and I’m drawing them a little bit big. You can draw as many as you want inside the rectangle.

To draw the first snowflake, draw a cross and an x together using a ruler.

Then draw the top part of a rectangle in between the lines, as shown in the picture below.

Last, draw short diagonal lines on both sides of the lines you drew at the beginning.

Another type of snowflake doodle:

Draw a hexagon, then lines coming off each corner of the hexagon.

Then, draw small circles a the end of each line you drew previously.

Last, draw 3 sets of diagonal lines on each line coming from the corners of the hexagon. Try to have the lines closer to the end be smaller, the middle lines are bigger, and then the last set of lines be smaller again.

Last snowflake doodle:

Draw an x and a horizontal line in the middle of the x shape.

Then draw short lines in between each of the lines you drew previously. Draw small circles at the end of these short lines.

Last, draw 3 sets of diagonal lines on each side of the lines you drew at the beginning.

STEP 3: LETTER HAPPY HOLIDAYS USING YOUR BEST LETTERING

First, sketch your quote using a pencil. I’m writing Happy Holidays. To write “Happy”, I’m using my personal Modern Calligraphy style. And to write “Holidays” I’m doing my personal block lettering style.

After you’re satisfied with your pencil sketch, it’s time to ink your lettering using the Monoline Studio pens.

Once you’re done inking your lettering, erase the leftover pencil marks.

Using the same Monoline pen, thicken the downstrokes (every time you move your pen downward) of your letter. We’re using a Faux Calligraphy technique here.

You can learn more about faux calligraphy here.

To make the holiday lettering quote pop, add shadows to your letters using the gold paint pen.

That’s all! Now you created a beautiful Watercolor Happy Holidays Hand-Lettered Card!

What do you think?

More Holiday Hand-lettered Card Tutorials

Want more ideas and easy tutorials to make hand-lettered cards and other holiday crafts?

Check out the other cards I made for the Holiday Showcase this year (2021)

• Floral Doodles Merry Christmas Calligraphy Card
• Ornament Holiday Hand-Lettered Card Tutorial
• Happy Holidays Lettering and Ornament card

There are over 14 different Holiday Crafts Tutorials completely Free for you! Check them all in this blog post.

I also made this card last year…

If you’d like to save some time and have the exact templates and instructions to create the card we made here and other Holiday cards, make sure to have this Holiday Lettering Card workbook – 2022 Edition

This is a 20-page Holiday calligraphy and creative workbook, which includes:

• How to letter 5 Holiday phrases. You’ll have traceable lettering worksheets designed for you to practice in different calligraphy styles, faux calligraphy, and block lettering.
• Step-by-step instructions to create 4 different Holiday DIY cards.
• Traceable card designs.
• An easy step-by-step tutorial on how to create a Christmas doodle wreath.
• BONUS: blank lettering practice page.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and give this card a try. If you do, be sure to tag me on Instagram @vialdesigns. I’d love to see your work!

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