DIY Watercolor Valentine’s Cards

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to share love and appreciation with those who matter most. While store-bought cards are lovely, there’s something special about a handmade Valentine’s craft. These DIY watercolor Valentine’s cards offer a beautiful and personal way for you and your kids to send love to family and friends. This is a fun craft for the whole family and works well with groups of kids too (even a class Valentine’s party)! It’s fun to show them at an early age that making cards adds that extra touch of thoughtfulness.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the supplies you’ll need, how to paint watercolor Valentine’s cards, and how to personalize them. Grab your kids and supplies, and let’s get started!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I make a commission from purchases through links on this page at no cost to you.

Supplies for DIY Watercolor Valentine’s Cards

Before you dive into the fun part, let’s gather the essential supplies. Don’t worry—most of these items are easy to find and budget-friendly!

Essential Materials:

• Watercolor Paper: Watercolor paper is specifically designed to absorb water without warping. Look for a weight of 190-300gsm for best results. You can find packs of watercolor paper at most craft stores or online. For older kids or teens, you could buy individual sheets pre-cut to card size.
• Watercolor Paints and Brushes: A basic set of watercolor paints will do just fine for your cards. 
• Water Container & Paper Towels: These will help with rinsing your brushes and blotting any excess water.
• White China Crayon: To make a beautiful white space effect. 
• Markers, stickers or other embellishments: These are great for personalizing your design. We used these letter stickers to write Valentine’s Messages on the dried watercolor cards.

These supplies are all you need to get started, and many of them are versatile enough to be used for other watercolor projects in the future!

How to Paint Watercolor Valentine’s

Now that you have your materials ready, let’s dive into the painting process. Here’s a simple guide to help you create your own watercolor Valentine’s cards.

1. Plan Your Design

Start by deciding on the general style of your card. We drew simple hearts with the white China pencil then applied the watercolor over (see a winter snowflake craft using the same technique here) . You could also write a phrase like “LOVE” or “Be Mine.” 

We are creating small Valentine’s for several friends and were able to make 4 out of this one page.

We also painted several cards with this simple color gradient design. Wet your paper with clean water using a brush.Paint one color at the top and add more water as you move down to make it fade.

2. Paint the card

If you’re going for a soft wash background, start by wetting the area you want to paint with a clean, damp brush. Then lightly apply watercolor paint in soft strokes using colors like pink, purple, or even a soft gradient of reds.

3. Let It Dry

Once you’re happy with the colors and design, allow your card to dry completely. Depending on how much water you used, this could take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

Personalizing the Cards

Now comes the fun part—personalizing your watercolor Valentine’s cards! Personal touches are what make a handmade card truly special, and there are a variety of ways to make these cards unique.

1. Hand-Lettered Messages

Consider adding a hand-lettered message to your card. Whether it’s a classic “Happy Valentine’s Day” or a more personalized note, your handwriting adds a beautiful, personal touch.  I’m sure grandparents or other relatives would love to open one in the mail, especially if they live far away.

2. Stickers and Embellishments

If you’re feeling crafty, add embellishments like small stickers, washi tape, or even pressed flowers to further personalize your cards. A few well-placed accents can bring your artwork to life and make each card feel one-of-a-kind.

We used these these fun letter stickers to add simple a Valentine’s message to the watercolor hearts.

Creating DIY watercolor Valentine’s cards is a wonderful way to express your creativity and show your love in a personal way. Whether you’re making one card for someone special or creating a whole batch to hand out, these homemade cards will surely bring joy to the recipients. So gather your supplies, get inspired, and have fun crafting these heartfelt Valentine’s treasures!