Saturday, October 13, 2007

A few tips

Judging by the overwhelming response to Julie's tutorial, I'm guessing a lot of the community hadn't yet tried enhancing marker coloured images with the aquapainter. I just thought I'd throw out a few tips, since this is how I've been using the markers since I got them.

1) Watercolour paper is not the only type of paper this works with. The Stampin' Up markers are streakless on kraft, natural white or ivory, and confetti white or cream. I find that using watercolour paper, well, it makes my project look watercoloured. These other papers I've listed don't have that effect on the appearance, plus they are less expensive! The crab below was stamped with black stazon on natural white paper.


2) Instead of outline colouring your main image and pulling the colour away with an aquapainter, try squiggling a bit of colour onto a piece of plastic. Blend that into the image if you want a more gradual lightening of colour.


3) Consider getting a light grey alcohol-based marker if you like the subtle outline shadowed look. You can find a 10% grey marker from Prismacolor for pretty cheap. It adds such a nice shadow to items.

I don't know how much I'll feel like updating for the next few days. My family and I had to say goodbye to a good friend and family member yesterday. Gizmo was 16.5 years old and was a lovely addition to our family. She will be dearly missed.

15 comments:

  1. Thank you for your coloring tips. I'm so very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful cat. We lost one of our cats last January and I still get upset about it, so you have my deepest empathies.

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  2. Thank you for taking the time to give us your tips on coloring. You must be so sad... I know how it feels, having lost a dearly loved kitty about the same age than yours, only a few months ago. They really are family members...

    A hug from Italy
    Dani

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  3. I'm so sorry for your loss.. :( ((Hugs))

    Thank-you for the tips on the SU markers.. i've been eyeing the Copics but SU is MUCH more affordable so think i'm going to go that route.. :)

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  4. P.S - I love your blog and will be adding you to my blogroll! :)

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  5. I am so sorry about Gizmo. That is one of the very hardest decisions to make and I am afraid that is one that we will have to be making fairly soon.
    Thank you for your coloring tips. They are very helpful.
    I am sure Gizmo is saying thank you right now--she is at Rainbow Bridge healthy and happy and waiting for you.
    Cheryl Sims

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  6. Thanks for the tips & sorry to hear about your cat Gizmo.

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  7. Thanks for your great tips and sharing your life with us. I'm very sorry about Gizmo, it's so hard to lose loved ones. May God bring you comfort and peace.

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  8. Sending you hugs. Losing Gizmo is losing a family member. She looks like the calico cat we had named Ally who was such a great member of our family. With sympathy, Harriet

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  9. I'm so sorry that you had to let go of Gizmo.... it's amazing how these little creatures become such an important part of our families

    Hugs to you!

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  10. So sorry about you kitty Natasha! Hope you feel up to posting again soon. Thanks for the info on the paper. I didn't realize that the SU paper worked that well!

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  11. I a so sorry about your cat. We lost our beagle about 6 months ago. I can tell you it does get easier each day. I think of him everyday and know one day I will see him again.

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  12. My heart goes out to you. I know it hurts losing your Gizmo. But I know God affords you comfort as His eye is on a sparrow, think how much more he cares about your loved cat and you.

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  13. I'm sorry that you had to say goodbye to Gizmo. I understand the sadness. It's always difficult to let go.
    Thanks for the tip about using something other than watercolour paper! I'll give this a go tomorrow with some Confetti!! YAH! MUCH cheaper!

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  14. great watercoloring tips! {{hugs}} about losing Gizmo...my heart goes out to you & your family, I know it's not easy to lose a member of your family 2-legged or 4-legged!

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