Tuesday 23 February 2016

Birthday Blooms, watercolour monochrome

The other day I was very happy with the result when I combined the beautiful Birthday Blooms stamp with pastel pencils and decided to try for a similar effect with watercolouring.

Whilst I still prefer my original version, I'm not too unhappy with this for my first attempt and I'll probably try it again having learned from my mistakes!

SU, Birthday Blooms, monocrhome, monochromatic watercolouring, handmade birthday card
Monochrome using Elegant Eggplant Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink

I stamped the flower onto Perfect Plum cardstock with Wisteria wonder ink to provide pale outlines.

I coloured using Elegant Eggplant and Craft White inks, water and a fine paintbrush.

Having experimented a bit, I decided that I found it better to paint with the Elegant Eggplant first and add the white later.  I also found that the white goes a very long way!

While I coloured, I was constantly comparing tones and contrasts - darkening shadows where necessary and adding more highlight from time to time.  I left some parts of the image uninked and used the colour of the cardstock as my third colour - but not as much as I would have preferred.

It was my intention to work evenly across the whole image but that didn't last long!  Had I persevered, I would probably have achieved a better result but my poor little brain wasn't coping - so I found it easier to work on one little area at a time.  I added the shadows and foreground last - although that did present a challenge to get the shadow deep enough!

SU, Birthday Blooms, monocrhome, monochromatic watercolouring, handmade birthday card
I had meant to take photos as I worked but only remembered at this stage!
I stamped the greetings after I'd completed all the watercolouring (and it was dry) to preserve the crispness of the lettering.

I adhered this panel to a layer of Whisper White cardstock and then onto the Elegant Eggplant card.

Thanks for looking.

'Til next time
Stephanie

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28 comments:

  1. Hi Stephanie, I just had to leave you a comment as your card has just blown me away. Your colouring & shading is beyond stunning - a real work of art. You've given that beautiful image a whole new look & feel... & did I say wow?!
    Inky wishes, Di

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  2. Hi Di, Wow - you've just blown me away with your very kind comments! Thank you so much - I really appreciate it.

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  3. Hi Stephanie, I want to leave a message on your blog too about this Card. I adore it, as I said on your Crazy Crafters Team Post, it look as if you have hand sketched it as Charcoal Pictures. Totally gobsmacked my friend, your shading is perfect. Be proud of this work as it is totally out of this world. You are one very talented lady. xxx

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    1. Wow - Christine - you've actually left me speachless! Thank you so much!

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  4. Wow!!!! This is AMAZING! Thanks for sharing how you achieved this gorgeous look! You are truly talented!

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  5. This card is absolutely beautiful. I am so anxious to try this. Your work is gorgeous.

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  6. Hi Chistine
    Thank you so much for your supportive comment.

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  7. This card is amazing. You certainly have a great deal of talent. I absolutely love this card. It's beautiful.

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  8. I saw your card on Splitcoast and was floored by it. I have put it in my favs. I hope I can get the same effect as you did here. Will you come up with a video on this. I am more of a visual learner.

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    1. Thank you, Deeps! I will do a video as soon as I can get over my tech challenges & get a camera system operational! Hopefully soon! Meanwhile - I wish you happy stamping & colouring & don't hesitate to ask me any questions that crop up - I'll do my best to answer them.

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  9. This one took my breath away too...I previously posted on your "original"...Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness! You have such a gift and are so talented! Please share video and detailed instructions? My creative mojo is going crazyy! LOL

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    1. Lol - thank you Jojo! I'm currently working on finalising a video set up so I can make a video.

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  10. A fabulous piece for this stamp - I've seen it in a whole new light. Such a lot of work has gone into this.

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    1. Thank you, Fiona, I really appreciate your lovely compliment!

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  11. Wow... So happy I happened upon this care of Pinterest... I am blown away with this beauty! And can't wait to have a go! Even though I think mine may look somewhat different! Thank you so much for your inspiration...

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Amanda! I really do appreciate it and I'd love to see your card when you're done!

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  12. Ok this is a big WOW!!! It is just gorgeous!!! I want to try it!!!

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    1. Thank you, Vicki! I do hope you have tried this and that I'll get to see your version!

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  13. What a beautiful card!! A WOW card!

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  14. Wow.... Even though it's been said a bunch of times already - this card is stunning! I'm blown away by your work of art and had no idea that you could use craft ink for water coloring. Great inspiration - I will definitely have to try this! Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment, Judith - I really appreciate it! I found the craft ink really enjoyable for the watercolouring but I can't stress enough that a little really goes a long way! I worked by patting a very small amount of ink from the pad onto the corner of an acrylic block and found that gave me good control.

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  15. Just found this beautiful card of yours and I must say....you are a true artist. I wish I could capture the depth in drawings. I just don't have that kind of talent. This captured my eye and I just had to check out how you did this beautiful look on the flower! It's absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing your talent! I may give it a try. At least it's a starting point. And having your card as a sample helps greatly. Thanks again for sharing!!!

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely words. I'm so happy that you enjoy this and find the post helpful!

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  16. Your coloring is amazing!!! So soft and realistic! I love it!

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