Sassy & Sweet Notes

floating bovine

Earlier this week I brainstormed a few ideas of different things that could be done with the balloon in the Bundle of Joy set. Here is one those ideas on paper.

For my idea of the floating bovine I wanted more than one balloon. By using the masking technique, I was able to create a bouquet of balloons rather quickly. And it's a good thing I could create a bunch of balloons...I don't think this cow could float with just one. *grin*

To create this balloon bunch for yourself, first stamp the pink balloon and mask it with a post-it note. Then stamp the dark purple balloon and mask it with another post-it note. Finally, stamp the third balloon. Remove the post-it note masks and draw in some strings. Masking is a great technique for getting a few extra miles out of images, and is one of my favorite things to do!

It's a lovely spring day (Happy First Day of Spring!), and would be a perfect day for some new baby cows to be born. But I doubt we'll be so lucky...dang it.

Hoppy Easter

Here's another card using the layout from the SMDSC02 sketch challenge I posted last night.

The squares on the base of this card are 2.25" square, and the square for the main image is 3" square.

The stamps used on this card are the February Project of the Month images from High Hopes Rubber Stamps. Cute as a button, isn't she!

I stamped the image in black Stazon and painted the bunny with a water brush and Stampin' Up reinkers. The white dots on her cheeks are made with white acrylic paint, placed with a toothpick. There are sparkles on her yellow bow, and on the eggs in the background.

Several people have asked about the kind of paper I use for my painted images. It varies, actually, but here are a few that I use that are readily available:

Acquarello Studio Watercolor Pad (140lb Cold Pressed) by Fabriano
Fabriano Artistico Bright Wight Watercolor Block (140lb Hot Pressed)
Arches Watercolor Blocks (140lb Hot and Cold Pressed)
Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Blocks

I use 140lb paper because I like the weight of the paper. It won't curl or twist with the kind of painting that I do. Hot Pressed papers are the smoothest surface texture, and they're what I use most of the time for stamped images. I like to use Cold Pressed papers for original illustrations/paintings. Cold Pressed papers have a bit more "tooth" to their surface, so it's more difficult to get a good stamped impression on Cold Pressed papers. You can also get Rough paper as well, and as it sounds, it has a very rough surface. I don't recommend Rough if you want to have a good stamped impression, but it's great for loose, traditional watercoloring.

If you're looking for more info on my painting technique, check out my Tips & Tricks page. There's information on using Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol, as well as Watercoloring tips. Hope it's helpful!

Hope you're having a great weekend!
-Anna.

Prismacolor Pencil & Gamsol Tips...

I've been asked many times how I color images, so I thought I would put together a visual guide, along with some thoughts I have on coloring stamped images. The techniques I use most often are watercoloring, and Prismacolor pencil with Gamsol (a technique sometimes referred to as "magic pencil"). This post is specific to Prismacolor pencil with Gamsol. (Click here to read my tips on watercoloring, posted earlier this month.)

Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol (a brand of odorless mineral spirits) is one of my favorite ways to color stamped images. One of my favorite papers for this technique is Pearlized Shimmery White cardstock. When I'm not using Pearlized Shimmery White cardstock, I use Stampin' Up's Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock. But I also find it fun to experiment on other types of paper as well. Paper with a bit more "tooth" than Whisper White and Very Vanilla colors a bit differently than smoother papers. While it's possible to use other brands of colored pencil for this technique, Prismacolor artist colored pencils are soft but heavily pigmented, so I've found they work the best for blending.

To blend my colors, I use inexpensive paper stumps, or tortillions. I buy all of my pencils and paper stumps at dickblick.com. Gamsol (or other brands of odorless mineral spirits) can be found at local or online artist supply stores. It typically comes in either a tin can with a pour spout, or in a glass jar, and is primarily used by oil painters. I've found that the best container to use for this technique is a small double-walled plastic jar, similar to a nail polish remover jar. I cut a regular yellow sponge to fit inside the jar, and pour the Gamsol onto the sponge until it is just saturated, but not floating or beneath the surface of the Gamsol.

I stamp my images on my paper with Black Stazon ink. Stazon is an acid free, archival, fast drying solvent-based waterproof ink and can be ordered through Stampin' Up, found in local craft stores, and lots of online stores. Then I start adding color to the places color would be the darkest - usually the edges.

Then I dip my paper stump onto the Gamsol sponge and begin blending the colors in a small circluar motion towards the center of the image, pulling bits of color as I go. You can leave as little, or as much highlight area on an image as you'd like. By simply not adding as much color to the edges, or not pulling as much color towards the center of your image, you'll be able to have a bigger highlight area. (See my two pears card for another example of a highlight area.)

It's always better to start with LESS color and add more as you need it, than to start with too much color. But, another great thing about working with colored pencil is that you will be able to erase a bit of color, creating a highlight spot if you lay down too much color. You'll never be able to erase the color completely, but you can pull off just enough of the pigment to create a lighter colored area. I use white Hi-Polymer Erasers by Pentel for this process (which can be found at local and online craft or office supply stores).

As you color your image, you'll be able to see where you'd like to add darker shades of color in places you want to emphasize color, or create shadows. Always start with your lightest colors and work with your darker colors sparingly once your lighter colors are in place. Gamsol tends to really make colors pop, so it is quite easy to add too much color to an image by using too dark of a color too quickly while you work. But don't be afraid to use color! How you use color gives images life.

I hope you find these tips helpful! I'd love to know if this has helped you, and would love even more to see some of your work while you try out some of these ideas.

The flower stamp used in this project is by Whipper Snapper Designs, designed by me!

Cheers!

Watercoloring Tips...

I've been asked many times how I color images, so I thought I would put together a little visual guide, along with some thoughts I have on coloring stamped images. The techniques I use most often are watercoloring, and Prismacolor pencil with Gamsol (sometimes referred to as "magic pencil"). This post is specific to watercoloring, but I'll do another post all about Prismacolors soon!

Watercoloring is my favorite way to color stamped images. I prefer to watercolor on really good watercolor paper and not ordinary cardstock. I think the end result is rich looking, and I think it's easier to control the water and colors when good watercolor paper is used. I buy watercolor paper tablets at artist supply stores or online at dickblick.com, and cut the pages down to the sizes I want to use on my projects. I also use a good water brush (aka Aquapainter). Stampin' Up sells a great quality brush set (2 per package), but you can also find other brands just as easily which are typically sold individually in various sizes. I prefer the medium size for most card-sized projects. I bought one of my water brushes at an artist supply store in Oregon, and I purchased my other water brushes from dickblick.com.

I stamp my images on the watercolor paper with Black Stazon ink. Stazon is an acid free, archival, fast drying solvent-based waterproof ink and can be ordered through Stampin' Up, found in local craft stores, and lots of online stores. Once the image is stamped, I put a dot of Stampin' Up re-inker color in the lid of my Stampin' UP stamp pad. While I use the lids of my ink pads, you could just as easily use a small plastic watercolor palette, an old CD, or even a plastic lid. But a little ink goes a LONG way, so I use the lids of my ink pads. The drop of ink will remain useable for months and months in the closed ink pad lid. With just a damp water brush (it should not be dripping wet, or dry) I pick color from the lid and begin filling in the stamped image, starting at the place color would be the darkest - usually the edge. Allowing colors to dry completely before adding colors next to one another helps keep the colors from flowing together. But, if you'd like a blended look, add additional colors while the base colors are still damp. I use both techniques, depending on the look I'd like the finished art to have.

It's important when coloring to determine a light source direction and paint your entire image using that light source as the direction light touches your subject. It doesn't matter which direction you choose for your light, as long as you're consistent in your coloring throughout the entire project. In this image, I wanted the light to look as though it were coming through a window to the left of the vase, and fade into the color of the wall as it got closer to the vase. I almost always paint the focus image first, before painting in the background. This helps me determine what colors to use, and where to place saturated color areas on the background once the main image is dry (while always keeping my light source in mind).

My last step is to add darker shades of color to places I want to emphasize shadow (or lack of light - in this example, less light from the window), which also gives a more three dimensional look to the colored piece.

For this colored image I used the following Stampin' Up re-inker colors: Old Olive (stems and leaves); Cool Caribbean, Not Quite Navy, Buckaroo Blue (vase); More Mustard, Really Rust, Close to Cocoa (flowers); So Saffron, More Mustard, Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (background). Flower stamp by Whipper Snapper Designs, designed by me!

The best advice I can give to someone looking to improve watercolor skills is practice. Find examples you like, and figure out what it is about them that makes the image interesting to you. I think you'll find that it's usually light and color and how they're used that makes an image really stand out. And my last bit of advice is don't be afraid to use color! How you use color gives images life.

I hope you find these tips helpful! I'd love to know if this has helped you, and would love even more to see some of your work while you try out some of these ideas.

Prismacolor pencil and Gamsol tips coming soon!

Wild Asparagus and Primas - oh my!

I placed an order the other day from PaperAddict.com and when the box of paper came, it was like Christmas! So many wonderful colors and textures and patterns! This paper by Wild Asparagus was some that I ordered. I love the vintage fabric look to these papers, and the texture of the paper. Inking around the edges creates a warm, aged look that I really like. Another nice thing about this paper is that it's double sided, so it was easy to coordinate all of the papers into one design.

Have you seen these wonderful Prima flowers? I received this flower from a friend (thanks Viv!) and wanted to feature it with this paper. I like how the coppery-gold shimmery ribbon softens the line between the paper and the flower. I added some glass leaf beads to this card as well. They're tied to the birthday tag using the organza ribbon.

As I was making this card, I thought I'd put together a visual aid for those of you who've asked me how I sponge the edges of my cards. (Thanks for the emails, by the way!)

I start with my paper layer cut to size. With a wooden handled sponge dauber, I pick up color off my ink pad (don't over-do it - a little goes a long way). I usually use Walnut ink by Ranger, but most dye inks will work with this technique.

While holding the paper with my left hand (not seen in this photo cause it's holding the camera) I begin to pull ink across my scrap paper onto the paper's edge. Start a good distance from the edge of your paper layer to avoid hard-lined edges from the sponge. Starting at a distance also helps you pull the ink more smoothly. Continue to pull ink onto the paper around all the edges of the paper, until you've got a nice even layer of ink. I usually go around the paper layer two or three times for a really nice even edge.

Because these sponges are so inexpensive compared to SU daubers or other brands, I keep a small drawer just for inky daubers. I use one color with each dauber, and only toss them out when I've worn most of the sponge off of the wooden handle. They take a beating, that's for sure!

Gamsol, and be happy!

Kristi from Livonia, MI asked me today what I use to store my Gamsol in for when I do the Prismacolor/Gamsol technique to color my stamped images.

Some poeple like using "bingo" ink bottles, but I find those to be nothing less than irritating. So, I came up with my own storage container solution.

I use a double-walled plastic jar that I found at the craft store for around .70 cents. I also bought a new yellow sponge (probably found in the same isle as the jar) and cut it to fit inside the jar without being "squished" in the jar. I keep just enough Gamsol in the jar so that when I press the tip of my paper stump into the sponge the Gamsol moistens the tip of the stump just right.

I've found this method to work perfectly! If you're having troulbe with your current storage container, give this a try!

Oodles of Doodles

I love to doodle. If I made it or if it sits near me long enough, it's probably going to be doodled on. I typically add doodled lines around the primary image of cards that I make. I like how the free-form casual lines frame the image, and set it apart from the rest of the supporting design... and honestly, I just love to draw them.

This dog (who I fondly refer to as "Bruce") by Whipper Snapper Designs needed some grass around his toes. So, I doodled it!

Sometimes I take my doodling even farther than just the simple squiggly line around the border of an image. This frog from the recent Stampin' Up! set "Unfrogettable" is so perfect on his own, but I wanted to set him in an environment and create a story through the images. So, I doodled!

The ponds edge and reeds are my own doodles. The perfect little blue bird is an A Muse image, and one of my all-time favorite stamps. How simple, yet so sweet, can one stamp get?

Sometimes I don't include any stamped images at all in my designs -- only doodles. My Watercolor Window card was created using the Tag Punch by Stampin' Up! Once I had the window created, I drew the single flower and vase as though they are sitting on the windowsill.

My friend Ellen and I were exchanging emails earlier today and she brought up my doodling and the recent "doodle phase" that has exploded in papercrafts. I think it's popular because it's a simple way to really personalize your designs. Later I thought to myself, "ooooh! that will be my blog topic for the day! I've got oodles of doodles!"

Holy Featured Stamper, Batman!

I was truly honored (and surprised!) to be a featured blog-topic by Michelle Laycock yesterday! Michelle wrote an entry in her Ink Artist blog called "Create Light and Layers" where she considers the use of an imaginary light source while creating stamped art. Read her post here. 

This Always in Style card was created using the "Pattern of Friendship" set by Stampin' Up! and is one of my cards Michelle uses to illustrate the use of light and layers when stamping.

Thanks Michelle, for such a fantastic review!