For most weddings I’ve been to, the couple usually picked one or two songs that they felt encompassed their feelings for each other. If you have a song like that, you can pick out one or two lines from the lyrics and illustrate them for your card. For example, “You are my Sunshine” is a popular one from Johnny Cash. You can paint a beaming sun or a giant sunflower! Make sure to add the corresponding lyrics to your illustration, too, to give it context. And don’t forget to credit whom you’re quoting! Other songs might be more difficult or even impossible to illustrate. If so, you could try doing some calligraphy or brush lettering instead, then decorate the words with some hearts, sparkles, flowers – whatever you wish.
3 Easy Watercolour Valentine’s Day Card Ideas
If you’re planning to get your valentine a gift, then you’re sure to want to include a card! Whether you’re writing to a significant other or just someone you’re close to, you can always share your love through a thoughtful message. You can also make it even more special by creating your own card! Etchr’s watercolour greeting cards help you do that, as the paper is perfect for painting on, and you get a stack of matching envelopes to boot. But if you’re stuck on ideas on what to draw or paint, then look no further – this blog was written just for you.
It’s pretty traditional to gift flowers or a bouquet on Valentine’s Day. The downside is, cut flowers don’t last very long. So why not capture their loveliness in a painting instead? Different flowers send different messages, but the most well-known must be the red rose, which symbolises love, romance, and beauty. They’re pretty easy to paint as well, so grab your brushes and paints – we’ll jump straight into it! 
First, pick up some red paint. It should be pretty saturated since we’re painting the centre first. Paint 3 tapered strokes that kind of form a round-ish triangle in the centre, which will be your innermost petals. Then, continue surrounding the rose’s centre with more brushstrokes that gradually get bigger as you move further away. 
Each brushstroke becomes a petal, which can curl slightly around each other for a bit of overlap. Also, gradually add more and more water to your red paint. So the petals around the outside are lighter than the ones near the centre. You can even let the different shades of red bleed into one another for a “blooming” effect! Tip: Just remember to leave some white gaps between some of the petals. This helps make it, so your rose doesn’t become one giant blob of red! You can paint several roses together; maybe one rose for every year you’ve been with your valentine? You can also use different colours, though check each colour’s meaning before painting (yes, roses mean different things depending on their colour!). 
Once you’re done, paint a few leaves around your roses. Rose leaves are a pretty standard leaf shape, and you can vary your green by mixing different ratios of yellow to the blue paint. Read here to learn more about how to use and mix green! 
If you (or your valentine) are tired of roses, you can paint peonies instead, which symbolise similar things, like love and happiness. They’re pretty similar to paint, too, but peonies are even easier – just paint some concentric pink circles around a centre, then gradually spread out from the middle while adding more water to your paint. Then, add a stray petal or two around the outside to complete the effect. 
Again, you can add some leaves and/or stems to add contrast to your flowers, though peonies have longer, tapered leaves that come in groups of 3 or 5. And voila! You have some effortless yet pretty flowers that will last much longer than real flowers. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, try using a spray bottle to spray the wet flowers. This will give a beautiful loose effect to your painting. We talk about this more in our easy loose florals tutorial. Bonus tip: If none of these flowers is to your liking, you can check out our blog on how to easily paint various types of flowers! And even if the flower doesn’t symbolise what you want, if your valentine has a favourite flower, then I think it’s fine to paint those instead!
2. The Language of Love
Love is often about making the other person happy, so for some, it might be a better idea to go for something with comedic value. There are some great jokes and puns for Valentine’s Day out there, but you can always think of your own! After choosing one, you can illustrate it on your card to double the comedic effect. I thought of a silly yet cute one, which led to this otter-themed card. Of course, you can make yours more special by illustrating something your valentine likes or painting different characters or scenes. If your valentine loves puns, then do something punny! If they prefer inside jokes, then you’ll need to do some reminiscing. In any case, the goal is to get a smile or maybe even a chuckle out of your valentine! You know what they like, so use that to your advantage.
For most weddings I’ve been to, the couple usually picked one or two songs that they felt encompassed their feelings for each other. If you have a song like that, you can pick out one or two lines from the lyrics and illustrate them for your card. 
For example, “You are my Sunshine” is a popular one from Johnny Cash. You can paint a beaming sun or a giant sunflower! Make sure to add the corresponding lyrics to your illustration, too, to give it context. And don’t forget to credit whom you’re quoting! 
Other songs might be more difficult or even impossible to illustrate. If so, you could try doing some calligraphy or brush lettering instead, then decorate the words with some hearts, sparkles, flowers – whatever you wish.
Love is in the Air
I hope there are enough card ideas for you to spark some of your own! There’s no “one way” to make Valentine’s Day cards, so you’re only limited by your own imagination. That being said, each relationship is unique, so only you will know how you best relate to your loved one(s). And as long as your card’s message of love is received, then it really doesn’t matter whether you’re the best artist in the world or just a beginner. We wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day and that all your relationship goals will be fulfilled! Have you made your own Valentine’s card before? What ideas are you planning to explore this Valentine’s Day? Feel free to share in the comments below! Also, for more ideas and tips about art and our products, you can subscribe to our email newsletter . We’ll also send you the latest updates for giveaways and product releases.
Nicola Tsoi is a practicing graphic designer and illustrator based in Hong Kong. During her downtime, she likes to watch birds do funny things, search for stories, and bake up a storm. She keeps a pet sourdough starter named Doughy.
- Art Tips ,
- watercolour
Lovely Valentine Painting Idea for Toddlers to Scratch, Roll, and Resist a Heart
This Valentine art for toddlers idea includes three methods of painting!
Pick one, or do all three with your toddler.
Since George keeps wanting to paint hearts, I’ve been trying to come up with different ways to make some Valentine art for toddlers that’s not the same ol’ finger painting over and over again.
I think I’ve been doing good so far. Most have been classic ways to paint, such as the sponge and cookie cutter heart paintings.
Even though they’re classic, this was our first time painting that way. I’m so excited to have found new art projects that a toddler can do and they still look awesome in the end.
And here’s yet another heart art project for toddlers. (Yes, George is asking to paint hearts still!)
This Valentine painting idea is a combination of a few art projects that toddlers can do.
- Tape resist art: Its been on my mind since I collected a few ideas…
- Roller painting: We’ve done this before, but in a baggy. This time the mess came out.
- Comb painting: I just saw an awesome art project by Learn with Play at Home so I thought we’d give this a whirl too.
For this Valentine Painting Idea You’ll Need:
- Paper (think enough to paint on)
- Red or Pink paint (you can use acrylic paints, oil paints, finger paints, or whatever you have on hand. I like to recommend using Crayola washable paints.)
- Painters tape
- Rolling pin
- Comb
First, I taped a heart out onto a piece of paper.
George wanted to get in on the taping too, so he put tape dots around the heart.
With a wooden dowel (a rolling pin would work well too!), George rolled paint over the paper valentine.
He’s definitely seen this motion done several times at the bakery. He knew just how to roll!
And then with a comb, we scratched over the paint to make marks and lines, giving it texture and some character.
There’s absolutely no right or wrong way to do any of these techniques.
All that’s important is to cover the valentine paper with paint, any way you can!
Think about it, what other objects do you have in your cupboard that you could drag through the paint?
Toddlers love to use an object that they know is supposed to be used for something else.
He loved using the comb.
Something that’s supposed to be run through their hair, and I’m letting him put it in paint?
He thinks he’s getting away with something and loves doing it!
This is a fun way for toddlers to explore different painting mediums, plus there’s pretty artwork that comes from it to hang up for Valentine’s Day! (You could also make cards, too!)
And with the tape off, the texture of the paint shows so nicely!
We didn’t stop here. Many more hearts will be in our future I’m sure.
What are some Valentine’s Day crafts?
Honestly there are so many options for Valentine’s Day arts and crafts. Anything pink and red, hearts, cupids, roses, kisses, chocolate, etc. So many options! But here are a few fun ideas.
- Cookie Cutter Painting for Valentine’s Day
- Adorable Heart Snail Craft
- Cute Heart-Themed Fine Motor Craft
- Textured Yarn Heart Craft
- LOVE Banner for Kids to Make
Children’s Valentine’s Day Painting
Hi friends! My name is Kendall and I blog over at Songbirds and Buttons! Today I am sharing with you an easy and fun Valentine’s Day Painting that you can do with your little one! We are making them this year as gifts I love the holidays, I love decorating, but most of all I love doing craft projects with my son, Wyatt. This is the first time that we’ve done this project – but it definitely won’t be the last!
- Canvas
- Paint brush
- Sponge Brush
- 3 different paint colors
- sharpie marker
And the steps:
- Use your sponge brush to paint the background of your canvas. (You can use a regular brush if you’d like – but the sponge brush is faster).
- Let canvas dry for an hour.
- Fold a piece of craft paper in half, cut out a heart, and then use washi tape to adhere the paper to your canvas. Washi tape doesn’t stick – and I try to use what I have for projects.
- Use your second color to paint inside of your cutout – it helps if you have a little one to do some of the muscle work
- Peel the paper cutout off of your canvas to reveal a beautiful heart!
- Use your third paint to let your little one have some fun! Let them put their hands in it and play around – then – when they’re ready – help them to press their hand on the canvas in the center of the heart.
- Write a special message – or just their name and the date so you’ll always remember.
And here’s how it turned out…
So, what do you think? Cute – right? If you end up making this project with your little one(s) – please make sure to share a photo with us!
Related posts:
- Swan Handprint Craft
- 25+ Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas for Kids
- Sweetheart Fudge
- 14 Days of Valentines | A Recap
A weekly “quick-read” newsletter so you don’t miss any of our latest recipes and adventures!
