September brings that familiar, nostalgic feeling of stepping onto Platform 9¾ and heading Back to Hogwarts. To capture the authentic, warm parchment aesthetic of the Wizarding World, we are using a creative household ingredient: brewed tea and dry tea leaves!
In this cozy tutorial, you’ll learn how to stain watercolor paper with tea for an antique background, paint wizarding icons, and outline intricate details with a fountain pen.
Watch the Full Back to Hogwarts Tutorial
Brew yourself a cup of warm tea and paint along with me! Watch the complete step-by-step video process below:
The Tea Staining Hack: Creating Organic Vintage Parchment
Tea staining is one of the most natural, effective ways to give modern paper a hundred-year-old look.
- Drenching with Brewed Tea: Pour brewed black tea over cold-pressed paper to lay down a warm, antique golden-brown base.
- Adding Tea Leaves for Natural Speckles: While the paper is soaking, sprinkle loose dry tea leaves across the surface. As they bleed into the wet paper, they create unique, dark organic speckles and textures.
- Drying & Flattening: Allow the paper to dry completely before brushing off the tea leaves to reveal a one-of-a-kind vintage texture!
Painting Magical Icons & Fountain Pen Detailing
Once your tea-stained parchment is dry, it is time to illustrate iconic Wizarding World items:
- Soft Watercolor Washes: Sketch out magical items, such as the Golden Snitch, Time-Turner, Sorting Hat, Cauldron, Broomstick, and Spellbooks. Layer soft ochre and brown watercolor washes to give them dimension.
- Fine Line Work with Lamy Fountain Pen: Once the watercolor is dry, bring out a Lamy fountain pen to ink the crisp outlines, intricate clockwork details on the Time-Turner, feather textures on the Snitch, and elegant “Back to Hogwarts” lettering.
A Magical Nostalgia
No matter how old we get, part of us is always waiting for that magical envelope. Painting with tea and watercolors is a soothing, mindful ritual to celebrate your favorite series and welcome the autumn season.
Check out our full Harry Potter Watercolor Playlist on YouTube for more magical art sessions!
Happy Back to Hogwarts season! ⚡️