Step-by-Step Guide to Making Simple and Cute Watercolor Postcards

What's better than sending a postcard with your artwork? I love creating cute watercolor postcards that are simple, fun, and perfect for any occasion.

In this guide, I'll show you step-by-step how I paint birds, rabbits, butterflies, and a funny little cat. Grab your brushes and join me—I promise it's easier than you think!

Preparing Your Tools and Materials

Let's get ready to paint some cute and simple watercolor postcards together. I'll walk you through everything I use so you can follow along easily.

To start, I use Etchr watercolor postcard paper. It's 230gsm, 100% cotton, and cold-pressed. This paper holds water well and works great for these little projects.

For paints, I use White Nights watercolors in the following shades:

• Yellow ochre
• Raw sienna
• Burnt sienna
• Burnt umber
• Sepia
• Azure
• Olive green
• Green
• Carmine 
• A touch of turquoise green

For brushes, I stick with two:

• Raphaël round brush, size 10
• Altenew detail round brush, size 3

I also use a Micron ink pen, size 05, for outlining. It's waterproof, which is crucial since I paint over the ink later.

Now that our materials are ready, let's start sketching the first postcard!

Postcard 1: Two Cute Birds

Let's start with the first postcard! I draw two adorable birds using just my ink pen and watercolor. You can follow exactly or add your twist—either way, it'll be fun and straightforward.

Sketching and Inking the Birds

I begin directly with inking. If you feel more comfortable sketching first, use a pencil. Then, trace over it with your ink pen. But for me, I just wing it!

I draw the first bird with an egg-shaped body and big eyes. Don't worry about perfection—mine isn't perfect either. I fix little mistakes by adding wings, which all blend nicely.

Next, I make the beak using a triangle shape and then add a tail with a few teardrop shapes and some little hairs.

Now, for the second bird, I will also start with an egg shape. This time, I draw the eyes inside the shape, still big and cute.

I use two triangle shapes for the beak to make it look open. I decide this bird is a girl, so I add eyelashes.

Again, I use teardrop shapes for her tail, add swirls for feathers and top hairs, and sketch simple wings. I also give her a simple leg.

To make both birds more fun, I go over some ink lines to make them thicker in a few places. I also add details to the eyes, tails, and branch. This helps everything look more finished.

Quick note: My Micron pen is waterproof, so I ink it before painting. If your pen isn't waterproof, do your watercolor first, then ink once it's dry.

Painting the Birds with Watercolor

Now it's time to paint! I start with the first bird, using:

• A little olive green
• Turquoise blue
• Some green

I also use yellow ochre for a light wash on the eyes. 

To soften the paint, I lift some of it with a brush that's just slightly damp, not too wet. I always dab my brush on a paper towel first.

For the second bird (the girl), I use:

• Yellow ochre for the body
• Carmine, for the cheeks and tail

Her eyes get a bit of turquoise blue, and again, I use a nearly dry brush to move the color around softly.

Then, I return to the first bird. I add sepia to deepen the eyes and light carmine for the tail. And I use the brush to blend the colors. 

Next, I use: 

• A light wash of burnt umber and sepia for the branch
• Turquoise blue for a few paint splatters
• Carmine for more splashes and wing details

Adding Final Touches

I like to finish the card with a short message. You can write anything you like, depending on who the card is for. For this one, I write: “Life is more fun with you.”

I draw a border around the card using sepia to finish it all off. I love adding borders—it gives the postcard a neat, finished look.

And that's it! Our first postcard is done and looking super cute. 

Postcard 2: A Curious Rabbit

Time for the second card! This time, I paint a curious little rabbit. I want him to look like he's peeking from behind something.

It doesn't matter what that is—it's all about the expression and fun.

Drawing the Rabbit

I begin with the paws first. Then, I draw an oval shape for the head. Next, I add the mouth, nose, and eyes—just the shapes I like.

His ears are the star of the show. I intentionally make them very big, oversized, and add extra details to make them more interesting.

Add some whiskers. You can sketch your rabbit with a pencil first, then go over it with ink. I like using ink immediately, but it's up to you! 

After finishing the inking, I'm ready to paint.

Painting the Rabbit

For the watercolor, I use:

• Rose sienna for the head, paws, and ears

• Then, I add burnt sienna to:
  • The cheeks
  • The paws
  • The ears
  • A few spots on top of the head

I layer more color on the cheeks to make them pop.

Next, I use turquoise blue to paint whatever he's hiding behind. Even though I don't define what it is, the blue adds a fun contrast.

Then, I add some burnt sienna splatters to the painting. 

Next, I do this:

• Azure and sepia for light touches to the base

• Sepia for shadows—around the eyes, nose, and ears

• Burnt sienna and sepia splatters

• A burnt sienna and sepia border around the edge

Final Details and Message

I pick a smaller detail brush to add more fine lines and definition. This helps highlight some parts of the rabbit.

Once everything is dry, I write in the message: “You are the best thing about you.” Of course, feel free to write any text that suits your card. 

I also touch up the edge—it looks too clean, so I add more texture and detail.

And that's it—this little rabbit postcard is complete!

Postcard 3: Butterflies and Flowers

Now, onto the third card! This one is super simple and quick. I want to paint a couple of butterflies with some tiny flowers.

Sketching the Design

I start with a basic sketch. For each butterfly, I draw:

• A small oval shape for the body
• Then, wings shaped like a number 3

I place a few simple flowers around them. Everything stays on the left side, leaving space on the right for the message later.

I add just a few extra lines to embellish the sketch more. It's still very loose and cute.

Painting the Elements

Now for the fun part—color! I use:

• Rose sienna for the flowers (I don't stay inside the lines to keep it loose)

• Turquoise blue for the butterflies' top wings

• Green for the grass

• Azure to enhance the butterfly wings

• Sepia for the bodies of the butterflies (If the paint is too damp, I use a paper towel to remove excess paint)

One butterfly is too dark, but that's okay—it still looks lovely. I add a few blue splatters. 

Then finish the edges with sepia for that handmade look.

Adding the Message

Once the paint is dry, I write: “You place the ground under my feet.” That's it—this card is done! Simple, sweet, and meaningful.

That’s all done for our third postcard!

Postcard 4: A Cute, Funny Little Cat

Let's wrap up with something extra fun! For this last card, I paint a silly and adorable little cat. I keep the design simple and playful.

Sketching the Cat

I begin by drawing the basic shapes:

• A round head
• Two oversized eyes
• A tiny heart-shaped nose
• Small ears
• A triangle-shaped body
• Two front paws, back feet, and a big, fluffy tail

Once the sketch is done, I add details to embellish it and bring the cat to life.

Adding the Watercolors

Now it's time to paint! I use:

• Raw sienna to start coloring the body

• Then I mix turquoise blue with azure and drop that in while the yellow is still wet—this gives a beautiful blend

• I also add more blue to the cat's head

• I paint the tail with turquoise, then layer burnt sienna on the ears, paws, body, and tail using a small brush

• I also highlight the eyes for more expression

I blend a touch of blue and brown for the ground. 

And I add turquoise splatters all around.

Finally, I paint in the borders. 

Don’t forget to add the text. 

The result? A super cute, quirky little cat postcard that's full of charm!

Wrapping Up

Now that you've seen how simple and fun it is to create your watercolor postcards, why not try making some yourself?

These cute designs are perfect for sharing with friends or brightening someone's day. I hope my step-by-step guide inspires you to explore your creativity and enjoy the relaxing process of painting little works of art. Keep practicing and have fun!