Creating with Color!

Hello Everyone!  Today I’m starting the new monthly Copic tutorials right here on the Flourishes blog!  Each month there will be different ideas and tips to help you bring these divine Flourishes images to life.  I *love* colouring these stamps and although I have yet to master the art of video tutorials, I’m hoping you will find inspiration through the following step-by-step tutorial. 

Today, I thought I’d start with one of my favourite Flourishes sets – Butterflies and Blossoms!  I thought this would be perfect for those of you longing for Spring and for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere where it is the end of Summer!  The Clematis is such a pretty flower with it’s white stripe through the middle and this look is easy to achieve!

I’ve chosen Flourishes’ Hydrangea Collection, however to soften the BV00 even more and make the edges softer for the white stripe, I’ve laid down a layer of Colourless Blender ’0′ first.

Next I’ve added some BV00, flicking in from the outer edge to where the stripe would be.  These images give great clues as to where that stripe would be with slight lines to guide you.  When I say flick in, it means placing your marker on the edge and lift it up as you go towards the centre.

Notice the top flick, I’ve placed the marker to the paper using the SIDE of the brush nib and lifted it as I’ve flicked side ways which gives a triangle look.  It is NOT like a tick as in the bottom of the picture.  The trick is to have a LIGHT hand.  You can always make it darker by going over it a couple of times, but harder to correct if you’ve made it too dark to begin with!  If, instead of this triangle shape, you are left with a rectangle, then you haven’t lifted your marker enough.  Remember, if you are having trouble flicking in a particular direction – move the paper!  Make it as easy as possible on yourself!  Practice this technique, it makes blending easier and you will also master your Feathering technique too!

Next I’ve flicked in a little BV02 although I haven’t gone in as far as I did with the BV00.

Next add in just a little BV04 on the edges and where the shadows in the petals would be (such as the creases/wave lines), but not as far as the BV02.

Always blend with your NEXT lightest colour.  For example between the BV04 and BV02, blend with BV02.  Instead of circle blending in such a small area, I once again use the flicking action, giving that soft edge.  Keep adding your colours and flick blending (with a light hand) until you get the desired look!  Once you are happy with it, use your colourless blender to go over the white stripe to tidy up the middle and give it that clean stripe look.

With the leaves, I’ve used the Green Grass Collection and laid down a layer of YG11 to begin.

Next I’ve added in some YG13 where I think the darker areas would be, in this case near the base and a little along the bottom.

Then add some of the darker YG17 to add the deeper shadow areas but not as far as the YG13 went, close to the base and along the edge.  Flourishes images are beautifully illustrated and the shaded areas will often have more lines or darker areas where the shadows would be.  Once again always blend with the next lightest colour.  With three colours, blend the YG17 with YG13 and then blend the YG13 with YG11.  Keep working in this way until you are happy with the look of the leaf.

For the butterflies, I’ve started with a base of Y21 from the Sunflower Collection.

From closest to the body, use Y35 to flick out, but not right to the edge, only about half way.

Next use Y38 to colour the outer edge of the wing – I wanted this to be a strong accent following the line of the stamp, so it was not blended, colouring only to the line illustrated.  Then I’ve flicked out Y38 from the body, but once again not as far as Y35 – this gives the wings more depth near the body as well as more contrast. Flick blend until you are happy with the look of your butterfly.

This is a peacock butterfly which has blue spots on the wings, although they are naturally quite light.  I’ve chosen B00 from the Sky Collection, but I wanted it lighter, so once again I’ve used the Colourless Blender to ‘colour’ the spots first and then added a very light coat of B00.

One of the things that makes an image really pop is the use of contrast.  It’s the very light shades compared with the very dark shades that really make your colouring striking.  Don’t be afraid to add that darker colour, even if just a little bit, you’ll be surprised how much more exciting and lifelike your image will become!

Finally, finish colouring all the petals, leaves and the rest of your butterfly and create your card!!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s tutorial and have some fun using these techniques to create your own masterpieces!

Happy Colouring!!!

Kathy 

HERE’S A LOOK AT THE COPIC COLLECTIONS USED:

Copic Markers Tutorial, Tutorials & Techniques |