I can relate to your post. I also love to color and always have, since I was a little girl.
First, I've decided NOT to compare what I do to others' creations. The only person I am in competition with is myself. I hope to improve as I go along.
The cards I make are sent to friends and relatives. These folks are not crafty and are impressed that I make the cards and don't buy them. So I have a good audience to start with.
My "technique" if you can call it that, is to color the image in the palest shade of the color family, then outline just inside the outside lines with the next darkest shade. Then I go over the whole thing with the lighter shade I started with. I am generally pleased with the results I get.
I use a combination of Bic Markit markers, Sharpies, and a few Copics that I purchased with coupons at Hobby Lobby in pale pastel colors. The Bics and Sharpies are pretty bright and intense, but the pale Copics tone them down.
I just did this card with a pink pig. It's not artist quality, for sure, but I think he turned out cute!
Never Try to Teach a Pig to Sing... by buggainok at Splitcoaststampers
Here is a brief little tutorial from the House Mouse site that basically uses the same technique with pencils and gamsol. You just put the pale colors on first, and outline the edges with darker colors.
http://www.house-mouse.com/php/howtocolor.php
But my best advice is don't take all this too seriously. Remember this is a hobby and hobbies are supposed to be fun!:mrgreen:
Help for the Coloring Impaired
