CornishHeritageFarms.com

[Silvergirl]

I can't sing the praises enough about Copic Markers. They are refillable, reuseable, and have a multitude of colors that will fit any artists' needs.

I'm excited to share a technique that we learned in the Copic Certification program - and one I've been wanting to demonstrate from the moment I saw it in action. Using a few tools most stampers have on hand and a limited number of Copic markers, you can achieve a soft, watercolored look.

I hope you'll join us this week and watercolor with your Copic markers!

Supplies Needed: Stamps: -Garden Friends Stamp set by Cornish Heritage Farms -Script Essential Expressions by Cornish Heritage Farms -Vintage Ledger Scrapblock (TM) by Cornish Heritage Farms Ink: -Espresso Adirondack dye ink by Ranger -Vintage Photo Distress ink by Ranger Paper: -Spring Willow Dark and Suede Brown Dark cardstocks by Prism Papers -watercolor paper Patterned Paper: -"gold" scrapbook paper from the Scrapblock (TM) Layers series by Cornish Heritage Farms Tools and Accessories: -Copic markers -Copic blending solution -waterbrush filled with Copic blending soluton -plastic palette, an empty CD case, or a piece of clear cardstock -Nestabilities by Spellbinder -Antique brads by Buttons Galore & More -Twill tape in dark brown by EK Success (Martha Stewart line) -Paper flowers from Prima Marketing -Sewing Machine and Thread

Copic Markers: ---> YR21 - Cream * ---> YR23 - Yellow Ochre * ---> YR24 - Pale Sepia ---> G99 - Olive ---> R59 - Cardinal ---> E25 - Caribe Cocoa * ---> E27 - Africano ---> E29 - Burnt Umber NOTE: Because of the nature of this technique, you can use darker colors (ones you might not use as frequently) and you can user fewer colors. The colors with stars on them above were only used as highlight colors.
Step One Stamp your main image on watercolor paper. I used Adirondack inks for this process and they work well. NOTES: * Heat set your image (or be very patient). Lines are more likely to feather and blur if you rush. * Watercolor paper acts like a sponge. It takes a bit for ink to sucessfully dry. * Because watercolor paper is so porous, it will empty your copic marker - if used directly. This is an ideal technique since you control the application!
Step Two Using the plastic palette, scribble your Copic markers in sections. Fill the waterbrush with Copic Blending Solution. I've opted to use an old one that I've had for ages and plan to dedicate for this purpose. The brush tip will become slightly stained over time, but won't affect it's performance, should you decide to use it for something else in the future.
Step Three Lift the Copic inks from the palette and paint onto your stamped image. Since you are transferring with Blending Solution, the colors will become muted. This makes the technique ideal for those darker colored markers that are infrequently used. If you transfer too much color, clean off the tip of the brush with a paper towel and "paint" with the Blending solution to lighten the area.
Step Four If you have a limited color selection of Copic markers, you can easily extend their use by mixing for a new option. Add the colors to your palette and swirl with the Blending solution, just as you would paint or another media type.
Step Five Continue to paint the image until completed. Layer colors and highlight, just as you would if you were watercoloring with another media.
Final Project Complete your card.
Alternate Project The butterfly in the example above is a very detailed line art image. Using something that is a bit more open, I created a second project to highlight how well this works. The Copic markers look soft and textured on the watercolor paper.

Advanced Technique Note:
*Once you've stamped and painted with Copics, you can use other painting techniques on top of the finished product, such as a color wash. If you plan to do this, use a pigment ink (like the Palette Hybrid inks by Stewart Superior) to prevent the ink lines from bleeding.


Thanks for joining us this week. Please post here if you create using this technique, as we'd love to share your success!


_________________
Lisa Silver
Silver Stamping

Copic Certified Designer

Live simply... Love generously... Care deeply... Speak kindly.

Last edited by Silvergirl on Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:08 pm; edited 2 times in total

[liz]

Gorgeous!

Thanks,
_________________
Liz
http://www.cornishheritagefarms.com
http://blog.cornishheritagefarms.com

[DawnL]

beautiful Lise! thanks!
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Dawn~the llama mama
Thought I'd let you know that I am now in the Snapdragon part of my life...
Part of me has lost it's snap and the other part is draggin'.
http://dawnanewday.blogspot.com/

[Lesley]

WOW - absolutely beautiful!
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Lesley
http://lesleylangdoncreative.blogspot.com/

[bekzilla]

This is gorgeous Lise!!!
Thanks so much for sharing, now my gimmees for the copics has gotten much worse, LOL!
B-
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Life as a Three Legged Dog (my blog)

[julie_stamps]

Great ideas! Your projects are PERFECT!
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www.stampedinhisimage.blogspot.com

[KimHughes]

ultimate prettiness Lise...love the tutorial!
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My Resume

[Julia S]

Stunning and super cool technique! I can't wait to try this Lisa!
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Julia
Product Designer, Cornish Heritage Farms
Belle Papier, my blog

http://bellepapier.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/