Here are some quick and easy ideas on how to decorate the background of your lettering projects using watercolour paints. You don't always need expensive tools to create art - for many of these techniques, I've used everyday, household objects. Click the play button to view each video tutorial.

For best results, I would recommend using good quality watercolour paper such as Arches, or Daler Rowney Watercolour Aquarelle paper.

• Use masking tape that won't rip your paper- test beforehand!
• Use concentrated watercolour paints for extra vibrancy. I used Dr Ph Martin's 'Radiant concentrated' watercolors
• If you have a sable brush, use that because it holds a lot more water/ paint than regular brushes. I used an Art Spectrum Kolinsky brush in size 2
• Apply a wash of water beyond where you want the colour to end. This will allow the colour to feather out nicely
• Wait until the water has absorbed a little. You want to be able to see the ridges of the paper with a sheen of wetness on top, not pools of water sitting on the page - VERY IMPORTANT, otherwise you won't achieve the fiery effect
• Wait until the paint has dried before peeling off the tape. Don't be tempted to peel it off earlier, for obvious reasons

A post shared by Fiona Ariva (@fionaariva) on Jun 19, 2017 at 2:30am PDT

For that 'sea spray' look, take a clean brush, dip it in water and tap it over the damp paint. The drops of water will spread apart and give it a splashy look.

A post shared by Fiona Ariva (@fionaariva) on Jun 22, 2017 at 4:36am PDT

Use a foam brush, acrylic paint and a light, patting motion to create texture that resembles sea spray or fluffy white clouds.

A post shared by Fiona Ariva (@fionaariva) on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:00am PDT

Dip the toothbrush into your watercolour liquid and flick it across the paper. For denser colour patches, hold the brush closer to the paper and do smaller flicks. Make sure your masking tape won't rip your paper by testing it beforehand.

A post shared by Fiona Ariva (@fionaariva) on Jul 24, 2017 at 4:22am PDT

This is an alternative idea to using masking tape to create masked areas. Lay down a plastic ruler on top of a card cut-out of a simple shape (you can also just use the ruler by itself). Dip the toothbrush into your paint solution (I'm using gouache) and flick it across the paper. For denser colour patches, hold the brush closer to the paper and do smaller flicks.

A post shared by Fiona Ariva (@fionaariva) on Jul 26, 2017 at 4:34am PDT

• Flat bristles help create even strokes. This one was a freebie from an airline
• You don't want to soak the toothbrush in paint- it needs to be relatively dry to create the 'grassy' texture. You just need a small amount of paint
• Keep your 'masking paper' in place with a little bit of masking tape in the centre

A post shared by Fiona Ariva (@fionaariva) on Aug 1, 2017 at 4:13am PDT

Create a speckled texture by using an assortment watercolour paints or brush pens to coat one side of the baking paper, then pressing it down onto your paper surface.

If you're new to brush pen lettering, you might like to check out our free downloadable starter's guide below, or our beginner's brush pen lettering kit. Download our complimentary envelope template to practise your calligraphy drills and end up with some beautiful mail art, ready for sending.