Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Toonie Tuesday - Copic Christmas

My sweet husband bought me some Copics Markers for Christmas. I held off a long time on these (I'm not an early adopter on anything), but we found a place that sells them here where we live in Canada, I don't have to pay exchange and they are immediately available to me...so I took the plunge.


I have to say, I'm going to have a steep learning curve on these babies. I am so used to watercoloring, I don't *think* much about how I'll watercolor something, I just feel it. I know how my blending works, I know my colors and how to achieve them, and how highlight and depth work for me, but Copics are a whole new ball game. I found it pretty intimidating actually! I went to all the Master's... Debbie Olson, Sharon Harnist, Jami Sibley and the Copic girl herself Marianne Walker and just did a lot of reading, partly to help me with color selection. I'll be following Marianne's blog to learn more about using them too. Jeanne Strieff and Cambria Turnbow also come highly recommended by me.


I think I'm still a watercolor girl at heart....but it's nice to have some options. So be kind here, it's my first Copic card. My second card today is back to watercolor.


Dad's Day



Today is my Dad's Birthday, so I wanted to create something masculine for him, so I pulled out my Flourishes Figs and Pomegranates set and stamped it on Watercolor paper. Everything I'm reading says that your paper is extremely important in using Copics and achieving the color shading and blending you want, and though SU Whisper White and Very Vanilla are GREAT stamping papers, they are not good Copic Papers. So, I've ordered some paper from the US, but it's not here yet, so watercolor paper works in this situation. After I colored the figs and leaves, I carefully trimmed it out and placed it with Dimensionals on the Vanilla piece which I had pre-stamped and sponged.


Two of the other layers (Close to Cocoa and Kiwi Kiss) are also stamped and sponged with the smaller version of the fig/leaf stamp in the set.




Because it's for my Dad, I couldn't do anything too frou-frou..but I did add a little ribbon, brads and piercing.


Back to Familiar Territory



Alright...this is for today's color challenge, So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy and Handsome Hunter. Pretty don't you think? I had to use up my scraps! I rarely use Handsome Hunter and was really low on Saffron too!

Here I watercolored the flowers and cut them out. Stamped the *leaves* on Vanilla, and colored them in with a SW Marker and a little soft watercolor for highlight and then placed the arrangement together with dimensionals.

To me it has an Asian feel so I tried to give it that type of sentiment feel.

This will be for my Mom in law who's best friend just passed away, and I know she will miss her very much.


Recipe: Dad's Day: Stamps: Flourishes - Figs and Pomegranates, Autumn Flourishes; Ink: Brown Stazon, Kiwi Kiss, Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant, Close to Cocoa; Paper: Always Artichoke, Kiwi Kiss, Elegant Eggplant, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Watercolor; Accessories: Copics, SW Marker, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Brads, Dimensionals, Sponge, Circle Punches, Piercer

Floral Arrangement: Stamps: Embrace Life, Beautiful Borders; Ink: Black Stazon, Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron; Paper: Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron, So Saffron Prints, Handsome Hunter, Vanilla, Watercolor; Accessories: Reinkers, So Saffron Brads, Wide Burgundy Ribbon, dimensionals, SW Markers, Circle Punch

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is beautiful! then again everything you put your hands to turns out beautiful!

Cindy Lawrence said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Christine!!! You and I have a lot in common girl....late bloomers and watercolorists at heart. :D You did a fantastic job!!!

Joan Ervin said...

Whoohoo!!! I am sooo glad you took the plunge, Christine!!!! This looks fabulous...looks like you have been using these babies for years!!! Ya know what they say, see one, do one, teach one!!

Unknown said...

I can totally relate! I'm pretty much a watercolor girl at heart, too! But I must say you did a FABULOUS job with the Copics! Your first attempt is simply amazing!

Denise Marzec said...

You did an awesome job with the copics, Christine. Love every detail!

Debbie Olson said...

Oh, WOW, Christine! I can tell you that your learning curve is better than most people's mastery! This is SO beautiful--and I think that as you use them more, you will love them!

Betty Wright said...

Christine, both are gorgeous!!!! I received some copics for Christmas, too. I have done a few small spaces...lol. Love the manly pomegranates and the water colored flowers are stunning!!!!!

Blessings to you and your family for a Wonderful 2009!!!!

Linda Carson said...

Both cards are lovely! You are a natural w/those Copics!

Silke Ledlow said...

WOW - Christine - you've done a fab job coloring with you new Copic's!!! Both of your cards are gorgeous!!!

Kimberly Crawford said...

HOLY BUCKETS! I think you got them figured out!!! :)
I too am a watercolor girl at heart (although I haven't done much in a while...) You will find that your amazing, AMAZING, coloring ability will help you adapt quickly.
You can also try Suzanne Dean for great coloring examples.
Have a VERY Happy New Year!!

Stacy Morgan said...

I saw both these on SCS Christine and I loved them both. I did not know that about the copics though with the paper. Good info to know. Not that I have any, but good to know. lol

Norine said...

they are beautiful
I didnt get copics but did get some prisma markers but cannot get the hang of them at all and think I might return them LOL
Happy New Year
Hugs
Norine

LeAnne said...

I am pretty sure any way you make a card, it will turn out beautifully! Your first attempt with Copics looks great to me....I have not jumped on that bandwagon, either, as I am a WC girl too!
LeAnne

Broni said...

Two more gorgeous cards, Christine! It looks like you're doing great with the Copics! And your watercoloring is perfect as usual! I hope you have a wonderful new year, friend! (I left a little something on my blog for you!)

Anonymous said...

Both the cards are so striking and your technique is terrific. Love them both. I am afraid of using markers as I have finally become comfortable with watercoloring. And Copics are way out of my $ range.

Rose Ann said...

Both are absolutely STUNNING, Christine!! Your Copic coloring looks amazing...and of course your water-coloring is your usual fabulous results!!

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!! Happy New Year too!!

Eva said...

WOW!!!! This is sooo beatiful! Love your work!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! You did a fantstic job.

Anonymous said...

Both of these are amazing! Your watercoloring makes me just drool... and in no time at all you have become a Copic pro!!! Congrats!!!

Anonymous said...

Christine, both cards are gorgeous! I tried copics, but didn't do too well. I'm a water color girl at heart . . . LOL. I think you did a wonderful job with the Copics and can't wait to see future designs.