Friday, February 20, 2009

One of my favorite ways to color!

It's my day to share over on the Flourishes Newsletter for our Friday Focus and today -- it's all about adding vibrant color with colored pencils! If you click on the link, you'll find a tutorial on wonderful ways to add color on dark card stock!

Here over at my place, I thought I'd show you an easy way to add a soft look with colored pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits! So... let's start!

Using Colored Pencils With Odorless Mineral Spirits

I started by stamping my tulip from the Stamp Simply Thank You set with Graphite Black Brilliance ink on my off white paper. Edited to add: You want to use a paper with "tooth". Papers that are ultra smooth really don't work well with this technique. You need something for the waxy colored pencils to grab on to - a bit of grain to hold the pigment. For my ink, I used Brilliance because it's one ink that doesn't smear when you apply the mineral spirits.
Then, I literally scribbled in color to the natural shadows on the stamp. I used Koh-i-noor pencils. Both Koh-i-noor and Prismacolor Pencils have a wonderful and waxy base, which allows you to really blend the colors as you add them! I used a deep pink for the petals and two shades of green for th stem and leaves.
Now, it's time to blend! I dipped my stump into the odorless mineral spirits. (I use Gamsol brand) and then, in small circular motions, I draw the color from the edges into the middle of my flower. I make sure to clean my stump off my scribbling the excess color off on a scratch piece of paper.
You do the same thing with the stem and leaves, making sure to clean the stump in between colors.

Here's a peek at my finished card...

Now, you don't have to use Odorless Mineral Spirits all the time with colored pencils. In fact, you can layer the color and use lighter shades of pencil to blend like I did in this card using the Magnolias in the Lilac set!
I colored my flower petals entirely with white, added Hot Pink to the areas where I wanted some shadows, and then blended by using my white pencil over top the entire flower again. The leaves were done by coloring them with Chartreuse, adding shadows of Dark Green and then coloring the entire leaves again with Chartreuse to blend.

For the full tutorial on layering and blending colors, be sure to check out the Flourishes Newsletter HERE. The Senior Design Team took me up on this challenge and did some absolutely gorgeous cards of their own too using all kinds of colored pencils! Just click onto the Flourishes blog and you'll find the link list there!

TGIF! See you back here soon!

27 comments:

Cheryl said...

Good morning! I admire the deep color you achieve with your pencils and gamsol. I'd like to know what paper you use to stamp on? Thanks, Cheryl

Kim said...

Your cards are just beautiful! I haven't mastered the pencil crayons yet, although I keep trying! You make it look so easy!!! :)

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

Beautiful! The pencils add such vibrant colour, and your card is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Julie these are gorgeous!! Thanks for the step by step.

Anonymous said...

You are the BEST! Thanks for a Friday Refresher since I was lucky enough to have your Coloring 101 years ago. Your flowers are so pretty and SPRING-like. It's a faint memory as I gear up for another round with Mother Nature tomorrow (rumors are 3"-7"; UGH!). Happy Weekend!

Stacy Morgan said...

Both are fabulous Julie! I love the rich pinks in the tulip, but I love the soft pink in the other. Awesome tutorial too!

ChristineCreations said...

You really DO do a MEAN colored pencil girl. Such beautiful projects with great techniques - thanks for showing us the Colored Pencils 101! You're awesome!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Julie for your tutorial...I learned at least to make sure the stump is clean before adding again...Both of these cards are lovely...I'm gonna have to go pull mine out and try your technique :)

Nancy said...

Beautiful cards! Looks like I need more practice with my pencils. :) TFS your tips!

Michelle Woerner said...

I have one word for you Julie... AWESOME! And thank you (wait, I guess that's 3 -LOL!). Hugs,

Jennifer said...

thank you Julie, very helpful tutorial!

Jennifer

Anonymous said...

that is so neat. thanks for sharing how you made it. i will have to get some mineral spirits.

Elena said...

Wow! Julie! They are both gorgeous! Thank you so much for your tutorial!

Anonymous said...

Julie, these cards and your coloring are just beautiful! Gee, I didn't know you'd have a post here today, too. What a nice bonus to find! So much talent you have to share!

Norine said...

love the cards so pretty and I love using the pencils my fav way to color
hugs
Norine

"Kirby" (KrB) said...

Beautiful cards, Julie. Your coloring is wonderful and so inspiring.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful..that is my favorite way to color also! TFS

Latisha said...

I could have swore I left a comment here already? Anyhow, you just rock! Your tutorial is just amazing and informative, its going to help a lot of stampers out. Not to mention you have such pretty eye candy showcased too.
have a great weekend!

Michelle said...

Hi Julie, Great information on coloring. Thanks for sharing your skills.
Hugs Michelle N

Michele Kovack said...

GORGEOUS!!!

Betty said...

Thanks, I keep forgeting about my pencils since I bought copics!
I never knew you should seal your project. Even if you use Gamsol? Please let me know.
Thanks...oh, we're ALMOST neighbors, I live in Bismarck, ND. If you could email me privatly, I have a couple questions for you.
Thanks.
Betty

retiredheather said...

Great tutorials for both of your beautiful cards. I love my PC Pencils and Markers. I also use my pencils to highlight on the markers. I do find the pencils much easier to blend than the pencils.
Hugs
Heather

Bev J. said...

Both cards are beautiful. Thanks for sharing your method of coloring.

Diane said...

TFS your talent Julie! They are both so gorgeous!

Lovely gd Cee said...

you make it seems so easy.
someday i would like to see what's gamsol- this much i know, im sure it's not gum for my soul> just kidding.
the cards? LOVE!

and i also love the nails:)

WhimsicalThoughts said...

So pretty, thanks for sharing your techniques

Anonymous said...

They are all so gorgeous Julie, I especially love the magnolias!