Is it Summer Yet?

Hello Ai Fans!  These two are ready for ready for 90 degrees and the beach.

I colored the Lounging Penguins (Sku#P3158) with Copic Markers and then masked them with masking fluid. Using fluid to mask is great when you have small areas you want to mask. I used an old craft brush to apply it.  This brush is dedicated to masking fluid.

After it dried, I placed masking tape down for the horizon line. I colored the sky by pulling color from the outside in using a blending tool and ink pad, leaving some areas light. A cloud template, cut from a die cut, is great for making clouds. Next, the ocean. I placed masking tape at the horizon line, and also to show where the sand will end. I used the same technique to pull color into the scene, using a darker shade blue.

For the sand, I laid down color with the same method and came back in using masking tape in the shape of small hills for texture.

Before I removed the masking fluid, I dabbed over it with a tissue to remove any wet ink and also made sure my fingers were clean.   I used a combination of an adhesive remover and my fingers to gently rub it all away. After all the fluid is removed, you can see any spots that need a cleaning up or changing.  I noticed that my blue chairs blending into the ocean, so I darkened the chairs.  I also did not cover masking fluid completely over my male penguin, so I got some ocean blue on him. To clean it up, I went in with a blue marker for shading.  As with cooking, it's not how well it comes out the first time, but how well you can recover from any mistakes. :o)

Please come back tomorrow to see what cool design Crystal has for you!!

Thanks for visiting

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz

Art Impressions Challenge - "Let It Snow" - Snow/Snowflakes/Snowmen

This week's Art Impressions Blog challenge is  "Let It Snow" - Snow/Snowflakes/ Snowmen.

I picked this adorable image of  Caroling Tots (Sku#T3607) and colored it with my Copic Markers. Next, I cut the image out and edged it with a black Tombow Dual Brush pen.

I chose a rich blue for the sky and stamped the background with white trees. I cut a little hill out of white cardstock.  A cotton tip swab made a nice paint brush to dip in the white ink pad and add snow to the trees.

For the final touch of snow, I dabbed dots of acrylic paint. Please pop over to the Art Impressions challenge for this week to see a bunch of inspirational  "Let It Snow" - Snow/Snowflakes/Snowmen ideas!  You can enter for a chance to win a coupon!!

Thanks for visiting!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz

Spectrum Noir Accredited!

Spectrum Noir Markers are awesome!

CCDT

CCDT

Welcome to 2013!

In the Midwest the winter skies tend to be gray, and every now and then there is a crisp blue sky. In the Chicago area, we have not had much snow and the grass is still showing. Although it can seem like a dull overcast, some days are filled with a lovely color of a gray and blue mix and it almost looks like spring - until you step outside and realize  it is winter. :o)

For this little Midwest park scene, I stamped the City Park (Sku#U3094) image in black onto Yupo watercolor paper and let it dry completely (24 hours).  To create the sky, I spritzed the paper with alcohol, dropped color and blew the color around with a straw until I was happy with it. A nice benefit of this paper and ink combination is that you can rework the color over and over.

Next, I dripped color directly onto the tip of a paint brush to draw the horizon line and add color to the ground. I dipped the brush in alcohol to move the color around and for some texture. I used a black fine line marker to draw some detail back on the image.

May your year be filled with joy and happiness!! Please stop by tomorrow to see what lovely design Crystal has for you!!

Thanks for visiting!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz