Oct 26 2009
Home for Christmas
I recently borrowed this Stampin’ Up! Home for Christmas set from a friend, and stamped out two of these images — one on watercolor paper for watercoloring, and one on Whisper White for coloring with my Prismacolor markers. When I decided this weekend to finally color it, I thought, oh, my goodness, look at the detail. There’s no reason why it couldn’t be watercolored, but I wanted this time to bring out the detail so I could get a good look at the rustic, homey scene.
On the Creamy Caramel card base I stamped the Linen background in Creamy Caramel, and added some Hero Arts snowflakes in red, hunter, and chocolate. The Happy Holidays sentiment circle is SU!’s retired Riveting, brown embossed and colored with Prismas. A little holiday sparkle was brought to the scene with a touch of glitter here and there.
I used something new to me to help maintain some of the detail in the image, and that is Prismacolor Premier Illustration markers. They’re not something you can use for blending and shading, because they most certainly do not blend. They’re wonderful, though, for tiny lines and dots, and for restoring some of the detail which can become obscured with coloring. They may not blend, but they also don’t bleed, so you can work in that detail with confidence, right over top of your other coloring.
I used a spruce green for the door garland, and brown and blue for the twig wreath. I also used the green for the narrow strap on the sled, and brown for the runners and nail heads. They worked beautifully for those details. If only they came in more colors…
They do come in several different tip sizes and styles, from the tiniest fine point, to a small chisel tip, but my absolute favorite is the small brush tip. Very pointy and firm, it’s great for brushing on a tiny stroke of color — brush and lift — without getting that little blob at the end of the stroke which tends to show up with ball tips. I’ve pictured it here next to Prismacolor’s regular tip and Copic’s brush tip just for a frame of reference.
It would make me very happy if Prismacolor would put this small brush tip on one end of their blendable alcohol markers, with a larger brush tip on the other end, but that’s just from my stamper’s coloring point of view. As for these non-blendable finer tipped illustration markers in their limited color palette, if you’re interested in illustrating, journaling, or doodling, they’re just the ticket.
Well, there’s another Christmas card done, and it’s an easy mailer, too. I’m making good progress, but I seem to be skipping right over Fall. This always happens, and it’s my favorite season… sigh… During my favorite season, I spend more time outside enjoying it than I do stamping cards for it, though, so I guess it’s not all bad. A whole weekend just went by and I managed to make one card, tsk, tsk. Back to work, now. Hopefully, I’ll have more to share later. Enjoy your Monday!
Stamps: Home for Christmas, Linen, Riveting (all Stampin’ Up!), Hero Arts snowflakes Paper: Creamy Caramel, Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Whisper White Ink: Ranger Distress Walnut Stain, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Versamark, Prismacolor markers for coloring Accessories: Ribbon, eyelet border punch, double rectangle punch, glitter, embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
I still just love using the SU Linen bg - gives such a wonderful texture. Your coloring on this is gorgeous - such detail. I love your ribbon treatment on the bottom, too.
Another wonderful card, Leslie! You are so right about marker tips…hope someone is listening. Would love to find a blendable marker with both brush and fine tips.
I’ve been fighting getting this set, but you’ve just set me over the edge!! Beautiful job! Off to buy it now!! TFS!
Oh Leslie ~ What a beautiful image!! Your detail in coloring is awesome! I feel like you about the brush tips and about staying outside during this time of year. It is so lovely right now that I have opened all my windows on my patio and I just sit in my wicker swing and read. Thank you for sharing your art work!!
Leslie, you’ve outdone yourself once more. I just love the details on this image and the way you’ve highlighted each one. The warm colors on the sentiment steal my heart as do the icy caps on the sled and ski tips. Thank you for the lesson on rush tips and for the exceptional photo. Just marvelous!
Beautiful card and coloring-love the background you created. I need to find me a linen backgrounder-love the look!
This is such a beautiful card! I love your details on the image and the colors you chose. TFS!!!!
WOW!! I think this is absolutely stunning Leslie!!
Oh such a beautiful scene not to mention fabulous coloring. Just makes you want to walk through the door! Beautiful Leslie and its an easy mailer. I am working on those also, dh was tsk tsk with postage last year. haha I am trying to hand deliver the bulky ones this year. :0) Have fun at work. Hugs
What a perfectly charming Country-look Christmas card! I do really like this image, but the detail did put me off a little. You did a wonderful job with the coloring. Oh dear, more enabling with those Illustration markers. Resisting, resisting!!! Linda
That is such a pretty image and just colored beautifully!
What a beautiful card, Leslie! The circle image in the corner is just right to balance the space.
Absolutely beautiful card Leslie.
OMG Leslie, your Home for Christmas image turned out so beautifully. I also love how you colored your Riveted circle image. Your “handmade” background is just the perfect touch. The new Prismacolor detail markers sounds very interesting. TFS
I thought this image was for a crazy stamper when I saw it in the catalogue, but you have brought it to life! Great card!
Wonderful Christmas card! And your coloring is amazing, Leslie! I really like the ribbon treatment too!
Your background is so pretty with the Linen and snowflakes…and your snowy scene is so charming!! Beautiful coloring, and I love your threaded ribbon & perfect sentiment!! Beautiful Christmas card, Leslie!!
So pretty, excellent coloring, love the shading on the sentiment too, and neat threading of your ribbon, very pretty!
This is beautiful, Leslie! I love that set and you put so much detail into it.
[…] http://leslierich.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/10/26/home-for-christmas/ […]