In the Elements of Floral Composition class, Jaycee Gaspar walks us through several key principles that help create visually balanced and intentional floral designs. For this project, I focused on the following elements: color, value, shape, form, texture, and space. I’ll be outlining how and where I applied each of these elements throughout my card-making process.
I began by stamping one of the flowers from Build-A-Garden: Pristine Peonies using Morning Frost Fresh Dye Ink on watercolor paper. I also stamped the same image on another piece of paper and gold heat embossed it. For the stamped Morning Frost image, I used the base stencil of the flower opening to apply embossing paste.
To apply the embossing paste, I filled some paste into a small plastic bag, mimicking a piping bag, and snipped the tip so the paste could flow out smoothly. Using the base stencil helped contain the embossing paste within the flower shape. I applied the paste mainly along the edges of the petals. Once the edges were filled, I used a paintbrush to gently stroke the embossing paste inward, leaving a heavier buildup along the edges. I then carefully removed the stencil.
This technique was inspired by one of Jaycee’s videos where he uses embossing paste with stencils, and the idea of keeping the edges raised was influenced by 3D painting techniques. This step represents the texture element on my card.
Next, I worked on the gold heat-embossed image. Using only the base stencil again, I stenciled the leaves and buds. To introduce value, I ink blended the leaves in an ombré style, creating light-to-dark transitions while keeping the image otherwise flat.
Once the embossing paste was completely dry, I used a gold metallic watercolor from my stash to paint along the petal edges and add subtle strokes within the petals for extra interest. I then fussy cut both images and layered the textured flower over the flat, colored leaves and buds. This contrast between the raised, dimensional flower and the flat background elements represents the form element in my design.
As I played with the arrangement, I decided to create a mini slimline card. I cut the final floral arrangement into two parts and arranged them horizontally along the bottom of the card. This allowed me to apply the rule of thirds, keeping most of the visual weight toward the lower portion of the card and leaving open space above. This is how I intentionally used space in my design.
For shape, I arranged the flower elements in a soft, semi-circular form. I then placed the sentiment slightly to the right of the flower, allowing the floral arrangement to remain the main focal point.
To enhance texture even further, I added light gold splatters using the same metallic watercolor before adhering all the elements to the card base.
Finally, for color, I followed the 60–30–10 rule:
- 60% green
- 30% gold
- 10% plum
This helped balance the card visually while keeping the gold details prominent and elegant.
This class encouraged me to think more intentionally about floral composition beyond just coloring and layering. By consciously applying color, value, shape, form, texture, and space, I was able to make design choices that supported the overall balance and focal point of the card. Jaycee’s teaching pushed me to slow down and evaluate why I was placing elements a certain way, and this approach has helped me gain more confidence in creating purposeful floral designs. This lesson has definitely influenced how I look at composition in my future card projects.
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