Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Day 21 - 30 Day Coloring Challenge

Hello Friends! One of my goals with this challenge, was to use each one of the coloring media in this picture that I posted at the beginning of the challenge. Today, I am one product away from that goal!



Here is my cast of characters. I pulled out my Distress Markers today. And it's the first time I used two of the new Distress Marker colors, Cracked Pistachio and Abandoned Coral. If you've not heard, Tim Holtz and Ranger are releasing a new Distress color every month this year! New colors are revealed the first Friday of the month and the colors will be available in all of the various Distress formats. The color for March is Mermaid and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I just love the color names Tim and Ranger have chosen. They are always very appropriate. Onto the coloring...


I decided to water with my Distress Markers today.  I had no card idea in mind. I just wanted to play with the markers to see what different effects I could create. I stamped  the Periwinkle Butterfly from Memory Box onto Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Card stock using Versamark ink. Then, I sprinkled on gold embossing powder and heat set it. As the card stock cooled, I taped it onto my board with painter's tape. The tape helps prevent warping of the card stock as water is added.



I selected my first color duo and began watercoloring. I apologize for the glare and poor photos, but it is nighttime and I had to use artificial light. In this photo it shows that there are three rows of three. That is because I wanted to try three different color combinations and three different coloring techniques. You can also see how I created a 'palette' for my ink. I used an acrylic block and just scribbled on some color. I placed a piece of white paper under the block, makes it easier to see the ink.

Here is my finished sampler. Below, I have cropped out each row and included a brief description of the technique I used and my opinion of the results.



For the top row, I dipped my paint brush into the water, removed a bit on a paper towel, picked up the color from the block and painted the image...just colored it in. I like concentration of color this technique provides. The colors are vivid and the image is completely filled in.

Top Row


For the middle row, I dipped my paint brush into the water, removed a bit, then put clear water onto the image. I dipped my brush again, removed a little of the water, picked up the color and dabbed it onto the wet area of the image. The water began to take the color and move it around. I added both colors to the image without letting one dry first, because I wanted to them to blend. This technique created the best "watercolor" look. The colors are feathered and blended. And yet, there are spots with no or very little color...the watercolor effect.

Middle Row

For the last row, I colored directly onto the image with the markers. I worked one portion of the wing at a time and I put my marker down where I wanted the color to be the darkest. I just added a tiny bit of the marker and then using a wet paint brush and starting in the white area of the image, I worked toward the colored area and picked up color to fill in the image. This technique produced a very soft effect and I think it's my favorite!

Last Row
Each of the techniques has something unique to offer. All are pretty, all are useful. Choosing which to use just depends on the desired results. I let all of the images air dry, no help from the heat tool. The images are so small, they only took a short time to dry. This was fun, quick and easy. Now that I know how each of the techniques turns out, I can plan which one to use on my projects. Sometimes we just have to sit down and play with our supplies. So, how about you? What have you been wanting to try? Grab your supplies and have at it!

And that is it from me today. Thank you so much for visiting. And thank you, thank you, thank you for your sweet comments and questions. I really appreciate them!

Blessings~



supplies~
stamp: Periwinkle Butterfly(Memory Box)
card stock: Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor(Ranger)
ink: Versamark(Tsukineko)
coloring medium: Abandoned Coral, Wild Honey, Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, Dusty Concord, Shaded Lilac Distress Markers(Ranger)
other: Metallic Gold Rich Regular embossing powder(WOW)  #4 Round water color brush(Claudine Helmuth Studio)

5 comments:

Jeanne said...

Thank you so much for sharing this, Barb! I don't own any distress markers. Actually I am still learning what the ink pads can do. I appreciate your taking the time to show us your experimentation and to explain how you achieved each look. While I am leery of markers anymore, maybe I can do a little something like this using the ink pads. Your butterflies are beautiful! Oh and while I don't have any of the new colors yet, I agree the names make them sound fabulous! :)

Jeanne said...

Ohhh, meant to add...hope your mom is doing okay!! Big Hugs!!

Diane said...

Wow what gorgeous colored butterflies and love the details Barb.

PS You have one of the most organized craft desks I have ever seen.

Hugs Diane

Sheila H said...

Your butterflies are breathtaking!

Tami said...

Beautiful work on this memory box butterfly, love your colors!