Thursday, June 16, 2011

It's Better with Color, Part 2


Are you ready for another epic ride with the E-Team?!  Along with the amazing projects and helpful hints and tips you'll find on E-Team member blogs,  there are the eclectic offerings and prizes that Daisy is so generous in giving!  Check this out: For leaving a comment on each team member's blog from Thursday, June 16, until Sunday, June 19, you will have the chance to win:

a $25 gift voucher to eclecticPaperie (two random winners will be chosen from the E-Team member's blogs)

Leave a comment on the eP blog for an additional chance to win an assortment of flower stamps and 4 New Copic Color Sketch Markers.

Winners will be posted on eP blog on Monday, June 20.

NOTE:  eP is going to discontinue to carry Copic ORIGINAL & CIAO styles so you will want to check out the clearance price on those items. Sketch Markers are also on sale. There are also some Copic cases that will be slashed to clearance price. There are also an overstock of the PALE Copic Color bundle that Daisy is going to slash at clearance price, too. Finally, there will be some "Flower Stamp" grab bags that will be available for purchase.

E-Team Blogs
Starla (me!)

Ok!  Enough of the business details!  Let's get this hop going, shall we?!

A frequent request of the E-Team follower's blogs has been for more details on how we color with Copics, and more specifically, how we color floral images with Copics.  Today, I would like you to look at your Copics as more than just a way to color a stamped image.  I would like you to consider using your Copics to CREATE your image.

I started by die cutting two of the largest daisy's from Spellbinders Daisy Head from Pure Luxury card stock.  In case this is your first time visiting my blog, let me catch you up to speed on this paper.  It is my FAVORITE paper for coloring with Copics!  I started using it as a base for my cards due to it's 120# weight.  I loved the fact that it was strong enough to hold up on all the layers, embellishments and various ink treatments that I wanted to use, without "buckling".  THEN I discovered the bonus fact that I could color images for single layer cards with no bleed through.  I will admit that I have not tried any of the other popular papers used with coloring with Copics, so I cannot compare.  I am very happy with this paper and haven't felt the need to change (at this time, anyways!)

Lousy picture, but you get the idea! 

I did not emboss the die cut image.  There was a very faint impression of the center of the die that I used as my guide for cutting individual petals.  You could also lightly trace a "center" with a pencil.

After I made my petals, I  went online and found some pictures of daisy's for inspiration. 



I then picked what colors I thought I might like to work with.  I always pull out my Copic Color Chart to help me get started.  I printed this chart out on Pure Luxury card stock and have filled in the "blanks" of the markers that I own.  This gives me a more accurate idea as to what the colors look like on the paper that I am using, versus my previous method of "scribbling" on whatever scratch paper that I had lying on my desk.  Starting with my lightest color (in this particular case, RV21, light pink), I made broad swiping motions from the center of the flower to the tips of the petals.  I did not worry about covering everything evenly or any overlapping of lines.  I wanted the texture this type of stroke makes.


 I then took a slightly darker marker and made more random swipes from the center to the petals, but varied the length of the strokes and did not make as many strokes.


Already, this "image" looks more realistic!  But to add a bit more detail, I then took two darker markers and repeated the above steps, but with shorter, swiping strokes with each color.  I used the last two chosen markers to make the center of my flower.  Instead of "coloring" the center, I just made random dots, first with the lighter of the two markers, then added more "shading" with the darker marker. 


If you look closely at the photo (click on the image to see it larger), you will notice that one of the darker colors has a more "lavender" or "purple" hue to it.  To me, this just adds to the realism.  I do not stick to keeping my chosen colors in the same family of classifications. Don't be afraid to mix your color families!!

At this point, you may chose to leave your daisy image as is, or go back with the first, lightest, marker that you started with and again, make random, swiping motions to "blend" all the colors a bit more. 

NOTE:  I did color the backside of my "image", using the same technique, but in a much sloppier version! LOL!  I wanted some color on the backside as I planned to curl the petal a bit, but wasn't too concerned with "details".

I also wanted to show that this "technique" of coloring will work on other mediums as well!  I used the same markers as above (with R59, Cardinal, added to the mix) on Wendy Vecchi's Clearly for Art Whiteout.
The flower on the top of your screen was done on the Whiteout.




It is difficult to see, but in real life, the lines on the Whiteout are a bit more "streaky".  Helpful hint:  when using Copic markers on Clearly for Art Whiteout, or another "glossier" type surface, let the ink dry just a bit between colors.  The alcohol stays "wet" longer and trying to apply more color or a new color too soon, will actually cause you to remove the previous color.  After you have done your basic coloring, if you'd like to add more color, to increase the intensity, let the ink dry for a several minutes THEN apply more color.  I used my heat gun on the alcohol ink on the Whiteout to shape the flowers with no change in the color intensity. 

DONE!  You've now created an image with your Copic markers! 

And for a project using the daisy's cut from the Pure Luxury.

I am in need of a wedding card for this weekend.  The jury is still out as to whether or not this looks like a wedding card or a fru-fru baby girl card! LOL!

Being in the overloaded, panicked phase of an over booked week, I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 194, as my starting inspiration.  Card base is a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Pure Luxury (I told you this is my favorite paper!) with an SU Pink Pirouette, sponged along the edges with Distress Spun Sugar, matted onto basic black card stock.  Scrap Pure Luxury card stock was embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and scalloped along the bottom with SU's scallop punch. All the white panels and the flower were spritzed with Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist in Pearl to add a lovely shimmer in real life, that for the life of me, I could not get to show in a photo!  The sentiment is from SU's retired Warmest Regards, and was stamped using Archival Jet Black ink. 

And because the jury hung on the Wedding card versus Baby Girl card~~~same song, different verse


I used C1, C3, C5, C7 on the flowers.  Shimmer applied to all the white panels.  Still couldn't get that to show!!

I hope this little tutorial on creating your own image with Copics will inspire you to try creating your own images! 




46 comments:

Queen Mary said...

Love the streaks you used on the pink daisy and I love the two separate cards -- I'm looking for a wedding card to CASE! Beautiful in its simple elegance.

Tanya said...

So beautiful! Love how realistic the dies look colored without stamps!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card. Need to make a wedding card this weekend, & will probably try something on this order. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jan Gavin

Cathy Y said...

Your card samples are "simply" elegant! I love that you showed the daisy inspiration picture - great idea.

Lillian Child said...

WOW ... BOTH of these cards are just delightful! And I think the first one would have been just fine as a wedding card ... that is until I saw your SECOND card - so beautiful! Thanks for sharing the tutorial on making those gorgeous flowers!

Joan V said...

Oh my goodness, these cards are beautiful. Thank you for all the instructions on coloring the flower. I can see using a colored flower on a wedding card if you know the wedding party colors. But the white one is gorgeous, too. Thanks for sharing.

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Both beautiful cards. I think I like this technique for coloring.

Max said...

I loved the idea of using a shape rather than a stamped image and following the colours of a natural flower (from the internet) to complete the flower in the various colours. Also colouring the back of the flowers is such a great idea especially if you are layerihg the petals. Thank you for the tips.

CheckerBeads said...

Wow!! Amazing! thanks for sharing how you did the coloring.

Anne

newfiecrafter(Marilyn) said...

Both cards are beautiful but really love the white one so elegant. Thanks for the tips on coloring going to give this a try .Great blog hop
Marilyn

Noreen said...

I like your idea for cutting the flower out. And the lines coming out from the center give it a great, realistic look. Lovely card.

Anonymous said...

Love the card just lovely - thanks for all the tips I am very new to copic markers and trying to learn every thing I can. Thanks for sharing.

Tammy Murdock said...

I love this method of colouring, thanks for sharing! I love both cards so much!

Janet L. said...

What classic beauties! Thanks for the tips!

Kathy Eddy said...

Wow, these are just gorgeous cards, both of them! Great job!

Glenda said...

Just gorgeous Daaling! Love those flowers!

Joanne O'Brien said...

I never would have used the streaking on flowers but after seeing this, I am going to try it! Loved your completed cards!
Thanks for sharing your tutorial.

marilynwillauer said...

Beautiful cards. Love your tutorial on this, I can't wait to get to work!!
Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!!

Auntie Em said...

Love both the pink and the more formal white version. Great tutorial.
Thank-you so much for sharing! :)

McStamper said...

Your card is beautiful. Thanks for you coloring ideas.

Shaunery said...

DANG.. you made something so simple absolutely elegant and sophisticated. I'd never think to work with a simple flower like this. WOW... pulling out my dies now..and I think I own some pink copics...
WOWWED me...

aggiesgirl said...

Beautiful cards

Anonymous said...

Both cards are beautiful! But I really like the white one!! I might just have to get myself some of these Copics!!

Tracey

Bast said...

The cards are so simple yet elegant. Very beautiful! Thanx for the tips and TFS.

KimMJ
bast830@comcast.net

Dee in N.H. said...

Awesome tutorial! Your cards are both gorgeous!

Iris said...

Very pretty. Iris
isoscia at aol dot com

Yainea said...

Oh! Your card are so beautiful! Thanks for shring this technique, the results are amazing!

savyjade said...

I absolutely love your copic flower tutorial. The coloring is very realistic! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this tip with us. Simply stunning.

Barbara said...

Beautiful! Love the streaky coloring. It has such realism for the daisy.

slbt17 said...

very cool!
Sandra ltb

rush said...

it doesn't start looking good, but after all the shading and coloring, the end result is spectacular.

Linda Carson said...

Love the streak look! Thanks for your creative tips!

Sylvia said...

Both of these cards are gorgeous, Starla! I am totally in love with that embossing. Thanks for the tutorial on the flowers!

Tona said...

Both of your cards are so pretty. Thanks for sharing!

Mickie said...

Oh s pretty pretty pretty! I especially love the all white one.

Broni said...

Your cards are GORGEOUS, Starla! And your flowers are so life-like looking! I especially love the white/gray one!! Funny how we both used gray as a dominant color on our second cards!! LOL! Great minds...

JoAnne said...

Your work is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing with all of us!

handmade_cass said...

I really like the "streaky" effect on the pink daisy. It looks a lit like your inspiration picture. Thanks for sharing this technique!

Meghan said...

Loved the technique.

Linn said...

love the streaking technique on the daisies :) i would use it as a wedding card. thanks for the inspiration

Micki said...

Girl, I was blown away when I saw your cards. OMG, absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Your pics were fine.....and your instructions great. I have not tried Pure Luxury, but have it on my list to try once I've used up some of my Neenah stash :-).
I tell ya, both cards are beautiful but I'm drawn to the white flower one. Absolutely gorgeous!!!

big hugs!
PS: Thank you for all your funny & uplifting comments - they've really brightened my days these last couple of weeks.

Sue D said...

Both cards are wonderful--thanks for all the tips on coloring these flowers.

Terri said...

Wow! Who knew you could get such a marvelous effect with white paper and your C family of Copics. I can't wait to try this.

Denise Bryant said...

Gorgeous! I love the brush stroked coloring.... adds a lot of depth to the flower. Really fun technique!
DeniseB

rocqee said...

This blog hop is just fantastic! I have learned so much (I hope) by "hopping". Thanks to all you wonderful artists, for the advice on papers and the tutorials and for the just plain fantastic ideas.

Shirley N said...

Both cards are so beautiful, your flowers are lovely! Love your embossed background too. Thanks for the coloring tips!