Mar 26 2008
I Finally Colored a Kinkade
I won’t tell you it was quick and easy but I didn’t expect it to be. It required a lot of patience and discipline. I studied every fraction of an inch of the stamp label very closely to try to figure out how to get just the right colors and how to best articulate the miniscule details of Mr. Kinkade’s art in a stamped image. For much of it I used barely the tip of my teensiest brush and still had to take a more impressionistic approach than I might have expected.
This is stamped in Timber Brown Stazon on 90# hot press watercolor paper, some of the smoothest watercolor paper you can find. For me, the best way to get this done with a satisfactory result was to concentrate on small areas at a time and not allow myself to be overwhelmed by the whole thing at once. I started with the bricks, painting each one individually with very dilute Really Rust ink — and they looked pretty darn good…until I looked again at the stamp label. Well, gee, Mr. Kinkade’s bricks weren’t just rust; there was a lot of red in them (I guess that’s why they’re called red bricks)…but some were more red than others. Yes, the stamp itself provides information as to where the shading belongs but it doesn’t put the color there for you. I had a wall of light rust, medium rust and dark rust bricks. That’s it — just rust. I touched them up here and there with some dilute Ruby Red and it made a world of difference.
And so it went on like this — the mound of yellow flowers at the base of the wall aren’t just yellow, they’re Barely Banana with Caramel shading. The white roses toward the back are shaded with Sahara Sand and dotted with yellow centers. There are four different greens in varying shades, occasionally touched with undiluted white craft ink for a little extra light.
Mr. Kinkade is not called Painter of Light without reason. My reproduction looks like a garden on a cloudy day. Not a dreary day — I mean, what day could be dreary in a garden like this? I couldn’t quite manage the dappled light nor the haze in the far distance. Maybe next time. A person could choose to color these TK images with different methods for various effects but I tried to stay as close to the original as possible for my first undertaking. I’m looking forward to starting the next one as I have several of these beautiful stamps.
I sprayed this image with four light coats of matte sealer to protect it and intensify the color. To make it look more like a painting I adhered it to a narrow mat of Very Vanilla, then a wider mat stamped with SU!’s Linen in Creamy Caramel and, lastly, a narrow mat of Mellow Moss. It’s mounted on foam tape on a 5″ x 7″ card base which I covered with a subtley patterned designer paper.
I will say this project was immensely satisfying despite its imperfections and I encourage you to give it a try when you have time. I painted this image in several sittings and completed other projects in-between. I didn’t want to rush it; there were no deadlines involved and it’s not going anywhere for a while. I think I’ll just start a little collection.
Until next time, stay happy and enjoy whatever you’re up to. Thank you for joining me today. We’ll get together again soon!
I must admit- Kincade images are not my favorites. But this one is gorgeous! It looks like you could reach in there a pick a flower! Love it!
wow - what person could be worthy of receiving this card???? absolutely breath-taking! LOVE IT!
I am not a Kincade fan, however, you have reproduced a masterpiece here! Your attentive detail is fluid and consistent. You are so talented, and this is a card to be very proud of. Thanks for sharing your amazing efforts! Deb
Wow that is just stunning! Someone will be lucky to have that one. Great work, I love all the detail but I’m not sure if I could do it.
Jannette D.
I knew you could do it, Leslie!! It’s absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous!!! I think I could stare at it all day.
Oh goodness! This is a stunning painting. It really looks real. Your tender treatment with each color and part is very evident and absolutely gorgeous. I love these stamps but I could never attempt anything like this. You are an artist my Friend.
I absolutely love it. Fantastic colouring. I must try mine again. Wonderful work.
This is the most amazing colouring of a TK stamp I have ever seen! Pat yourself on the back, perch it somewhere so you can look at it often and smile!
You did a beautiful job! I can just imagine the work it involved but it was well worth it! This card looks like a real keeper!!
I love to color but these images still intimidate!! You did such a lovely job, I can only imagine the care and time it took!
WOW!!!!!!! I can’t believe that is colored. It looks like a photograph! Very very pretty. I could never be that patient!
Well, I just have to tell you that this looks so much more like a photograph than a painting. I mean, OMG! Truly gorgeous! And it looks JUST LIKE my backyard!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!! It is amazing, Leslie! You should definitely frame this one!!
I think you did an AMAZING job! I agree with the comment above. I would FRAME it for sure!! All that work really paid off too. I have a few images here from the Wish RAK group, but I am still very intimidated to try coloring them. I guess first, I better look up the image and what colors Mr. Kinkade himself used to get an idea. Ooooh, some day I will have courage to give it a go.
Kelly (meanwhile I will just google over yours)
Stunning piece! It doesn’t get much better than that. Add me to the list of folks who think you should frame it. I’m horrified by the thought that a card recipient could - gasp - throw it away.
Incredibly beautiful…well worth the effort…you could frame this!
Wow!! Talk about gorgeous!! Leslie this is stunning!! The colors are so beautiful. I can’t get over those bricks WOW!! All the color shading on the entire piece is breath taking!! You floor me with your talent!!
Dee
Did you just hear me gasp?????? HOLY COW, LESLIE! This is incredible! I just don’t even know what to say. Standing ovation from me, my friend. Standing ovation.
Hubba bubba. Words alone cannot express my amazement!! You captured the essence of this image, and Mr. Kinkade would be proud!
This is GORGEOUS!!!! I dont know if I could do this! But it is sure worth a shot. As soon as I get some Kinkade stamps!
Wow, this was a lot of work and I would frame it. Sometimes, I wonder what happens to some of the cards I make. This would not be sent to anyone and I would take it to the grave with me. LOL.
BEAUTIFUL! I think you did a fabulous job! I would have never guessed it was your first time for a Thomas Kinkade. I haven’t made the plunge yet and have been thinking about these stamps lately. I just might have to jump in with both feet. Thanks for the inspiration!
OH WOW! A piece of art to be proud of! Makes my measly cards look like rubbage. This is awesome work here, Leslie!
Leslie - Your card is stunning! It’s always a pleasant surprise to see what work of art you’ll come up with next. Thank you for sharing! Debbie from Buffalo, NY
Beautiful in all details. Wonderful coloring and I like how you matted it on the bg paper-Great!
I am not a big TK fan; but, this is truly beautiful! And I think this is easily the best coloring job I have seen done with these stamps since they came out- just stunning!!
Holy Cow…this is gorgeous!!! You did a fantastic job. I can’t wait to see the others when you’re finished with them. You can frame them and have them in your craft area for future inspiration
Charmaine
This card is truly amazing. You did a stunning job with your choice of colors. Did you use SU reinkers only or did you also use markers? Great job. Keep them coming.
Debbie
Leslie ~ This is TOO STUNNING!! Who ever receives this card will surely frame it. It looks just like a Kincade Painting and it should after several sittings. I wish I could paint and have the patience you have
Gorgeous! You did a great job! Definitely one of the
best cards that I have seen done with that TK image!
You did capture a light effect on the wall beautifully;
maybe just a brighter day as you’d mentioned.
You should definitely keep this one for you!
goodness! this is absolutely STUNNING. My breath is taken away!
Simply stunning, Leslie! The depth and shading you’ve created here is incredible … this is one very impressive piece!
TFS!
~Hugs, Deb
Leslie this is just breathtaking! You are to be commended for your stunning job here! I’d have a hard time giving this away!
THUD!!!! Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!!!! Oh my wonderful Lord in heaven !!!! Leslie, this is gorgeous. Believe me, I know it took you a long time time, but it was well worth it. Almost all of my projects take at least two or more hours, I’m a very slow stamper/watercolor(er)(sp?) I’ve purchased a ton of these stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms and haven’t started one yet. I’m going to wait a few more months when my commitments are satisfied and then I’m going to try this! You’ve done an outstanding job on every aspect of this painting. You absolutely CANNOT give this away, keep it in your portfolio for enjoyment for years to come, along with the others that you paint. Trust me, you’ll always find enjoyment in looking at this incredible painting, it’s inspirational and self-fulfilling.
Beautiful coloring, love the layering and the pp you chose for the bg!
Not the type of stamp I would buy, but I don’t mind admiring what everyone else is doing with them. And you’ve done a stupendous job of making it come to life.
Awesome!!! This *definitely* should be framed!! I bought a TK a couple of weeks ago and so far all I’ve done is admire the colored index. Wish I had your talent or that I was your best friend so maybe you’d send this lovely piece of art to me
tfs
Pant, pant……. this is so incredibly beautiful Leslie!
I’m in awe of your skills! This is absolutely gorgeous. I will never have the patience to attempt this, so I won’t be buying one of these stamps, but I certainly enjoy looking at yours. Love the way you mounted it like a valuable painting, which it is!
Holy cow, Leslie! This is absolutely stunningly gorgeous! I have 2 of these stamps and have never even tried them — let me go pick my jaw up now!
Stunningly beautiful!
WOW*WOW*WOW!! This is FABULOUS, and you MUST keep it and frame ALL the TK’s that you do! You did an amazing job, I can’t believe it’s your first one…
You should feel VERY satisfied with this gorgeous creation, get it behind glass SOON!
Oh Leslie, your patience and studying paid off big time! This is amazing! Everything down to the bricks…oh the bricks are amazing too! Love it! Beautiful stamp…one that I would never attempt, so I will admire yours!!Fabulous job!
You have absolutely outdone yourself! This is spectacular and is an amazing work of art. Your patience definitely paid off. You should definitely frame this and find a place of honor in your home where you can display it. It is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing it with us - including the details of how you made it.
OMG Leslie……absolutely scrumptious
Your colors, depth of field, shading…..everything is so perfect. You must frame and keep this beauty forever and ever. I hope to see soon IRL…..Wow!!!! Back to my experimenting on watercoloring. You have me so INSPIRED……..AGAIN 
This is gorgeous, Leslie! I have a few of these stamps, but have only played around with them. You have inspired me to create something! A fabulous job!
It’s beautiful Leslie! You did a wonderful job! TFS.
I’m too intimidated to even try, so kudos to you — the results are stunning and worth the time it took you. I’d refuse to send it to anybody — I have friends that appreciate handstamped cards, but not enough to part with something that took that much effort. I agree with those who say to keep it and frame it.
Breathtaking…
Well if this is your first there is hope for the rest of us… Beautiful job!!!
WOW! What an amazing job you did! THis one should be framed and hung on a wall!
When the picture came up on my screen my first words were “no, she didn’t, she couldn’t have”. I was mesmerized by this card. Your work is fantastic. You are one hell of an artist. Congratulations on this one.
I am in awe!!!! What an undertaking, and only someone with a huge amount of artistic talent could take this one on! So very well done, to say the least!!!
Well, you have created a masterpiece! That brickwork alone is something to be treasured. Great job!
LeAnne
Oh my goodness!!!! This is spectacular,great coloring!!!
Wow, I think you did an amazing job coloring this Leslie, it’s Gorgeous!!
Leslie- I think you did a fabulous job on this! I really love everything about it! Thanks for sharing your techniques and what it takes to get it done - patience!
This is gorgeous! You can tell that it was very lovingly done…not rushed. Beautiful!
OMG!! you did an amazing job with this stamp. I don’t think I would have the patience for this type of colouring.
All I can say is WOW! This is absolutely stunning. It must have taken you hours to complete! But what an amazing, beautiful job you did. WOW!
Awesome job, Leslie. Beautiful brick and flowers and coloring.
Leslie, OMGosh it is incredible!!! What an amazing job, and the patience - I am in awe. It’s just gorgeous gorgeous, thank you for sharing!
Unbelievable!! I have quick hint — after I make a labor intensive card like this, I scan it and print it on watercolor paper or paper with a slight texture and it will look like you painted it…plus, it will save you tons of time if you want to send the same card again!.. I also like to have a copy before I send it off to a “card worthy” friend
Wow! This is totally awesome! I love these stamps but haven’t bought any because I’m a big ole chicken but this is absolutely gorgeous! Very inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful work!
my jaw just dropped open at the sight of this stunningly beautiful card! What a piece of work! Truly amazing and TFS!!
What an incredible work of art!! I don’t think I could ever part with this!!
You colored that? It is unbelievable! I am amazed! Great job!
Leslie, your card is simply exquisite! Your watercoloring is so pretty - the bricks especially. You made a mini masterpiece that I’m sure Thomas Kinkade would find worthy with the beautiful matting you did. TFS.
Beautiful , awesome coloring !
Oh my gosh! I can’t believe how much time that must have taken you! You did such an amazing job. You talked on an earlier post about whether or not it was artistic talent to do stamping and I think you ended the argument with this piece - it takes an enormous amount of talent (and patience) to create a beautiful image like this. Congratulations!
Gorgeous job with this card! These things scare me so I only do monochromatic, but maybe I will try one too.
Thanks for sharing!
Shawn K.
This is stunning! Absolutely stunning! This definitely deserves to be in a frame!
Elizabeth
This is gorgeous, Leslie. You must be so proud of yourself.
Great job,
Michelle
I think it turned out just gorgeous! I have no doubt it was a labor of love. The hardest thing about painting or coloring, at least in my opinion, is to know where and how much white space to leave.
This is an AMAZING accomplishment - and an absolutely STUNNING result!! Honestly, I can’t imagine how you could even put it on a card after all that work. I’d put it in a frame and hang it on a wall somewhere! Seriously, your artistic approach to this shows through like lightning through a night sky. Your patience and dedication to the project really paid off in a big way - that looks so real and gorgeous! Thanks for sharing it with us all. I’m VERY impressed. Be proud of yourself - you did an incredible job!!
WOW Leslie! I’d give this a 10…..PERFECT!
You belong on the TK design team with a masterpiece like this!! WOWEE!!!!!!!!
Leslie, this is incrediable! I can not believe you colored this. What a talented lady you are. Thanks for sharing!
You have brought the stamp its life, the way it is to be.
Edna
OMG out of all the ones I have seen you nailed it. This is spectacular and you did an amazing job. I was at my sisters in Dallas for Christmas and her and her husband bought an original for themselves as their gift to each other. It took my breath away. When I opened your blog this morning I got that same breathless feeling. Beautiful. TFS.
Leslie, as I anticipated, this is hands down the BEST coloring I’ve seen of this TK image! You hit the subtle combining and shading of colors just right. Your extra efforts on the bricks and using four colors of green are a fantastic “supporting cast” for the vibrant colors on the flowers. Every little extra detail is worth it because it adds so much to the overall effect. I learn so much every time I try to color one of these Kinkade images, because I study his original so intensely. And thank you for taking the time to share so many details about what colors you used. I can only imagine how incredible this looks IRL, and you are very wise to hold onto it and enjoy it for yourself for a long, long time. I think Thom would be very pleased. Linda
I have 3 Kindades sitting on my table waiting for me to color them! I stamped one in distress tea ink but that’s it!!
What an inspiration this is - it’s beautiful and you certainly learned things as you went along!
thanks for shraring your insights! maybe I’ll stamp one out and start coloring!!
http://www.createwithjulia.blogspot.com
AMAZING!!!! Wow… is all I can say!
Leslie…I had to add a comment to tell you how beautiful your card is. OMG…I think you did such an awesome job! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Donna
Wowzas Leslie - I am practically speechless! I have not been brave enough to buy and try one of these yet, but I must say that particular image is one of my very favorites. What a wonderful job you did with it. Wow Wow and Wow!!!
I THINKK IF I HAD MADE THAT BEAUTIFUL CARD, I WOULD NEVER PART WITH IT. I WOULD HAVE IT FRAMED AND KEEP IT WHERE ANYONE WHO ENTERS MY HOME COULD SEE IT. SO VERY BEAUTIFUL!!
Amazing ART!
WOW!! just increadable!!WOW!!
This is the most amazing stamped/colored image I have seen. WOW!! I would love to feature your artwork on Inspirational. A blog that shares projects and links to blogs for inspiration to others. If this is ok with you please email me at scrapsoup@yahoo.com.
AMAZING JOB!!
Oh my lands! Your coloring on this is fantastic, Leslie. I have yet to have the courage to try to do one, I bought a winter one and then put it in the drawer. I will put this link in my favorites so I can refer to it and give it a try. I will have to purchase one with a green scene instead of snow.
Leslie, this is absolutely stunning. Your stamping is always beautifully artisitic, but this goes right over the top….your talent AND patience are amazing!! = )
Beautiful–I love the intensity of your colors–and that Aida Cloth matting really frames your artwork!!! So far I’ve been intimidated by all the detail in TK stamps–but I might have to breakdown and get one after seeing your card!!!
Thanks for the inspiration!!!
KJ
Are you kidding me!?! You COLORED that!? It looks like a photograph. So realistic. Amazing.
You’ve got to be kidding! I wouldn’t even attempt to do something like this. This is breathtaking. You did a fantastic job.
Oh my word !!!! You are AMAZING !!!! Jaw on the floor — totally breathtaking!!!!
All I can say is “unbelievable”. Well…almost…it’s beautiful and you must have a lot of patience!
OH MY GOODNESS, Leslie! This looks like a REAL live scene! You did an exquisitely perfect job on this. Just completely amazing!!!!!
This is absolutely GORGEOUS! I was forced to read your wording because I was sure this was a professional photograph and had to see for myself how you did it!
You should frame it!!!!! Or totally bless someone with it! BUT only someone who would never think of trashing it! How about a birthday “gift” of sorts where you purchase a frame with a mat to match and then give them the card traditionally and tell them to frame it after they receive it!
Great job!
Kim Hannan
Girl! I know how long it must have taken you to paint this because I gave up on it after those bricks drove me crazy for over 2 hours! This is amazing, Leslie — you better be framing and keeping this!
Absolutely amazing Leslie!!! This must be so incredible in real life. I think those Kinkade stamps are the scariest images out there - no way I’d be patient enough to color it like you did. Even though I love coloring!!!!
Oh my GOD, Leslie………this is absolute PERFECTION!!!!
This is absolutely beautiful!! Thomas Kinkade wouldbe very proud of you!! The brick wall is really something else. Now that had to take a lot of work to do that. it is a remarkable card. You should be selling them.
I could have sworn Kinkade colored this…… Wish I could do this well - and yes the person who gets this card is VERY lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!