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I always try to do it in reverse...I pick the patterned paper I want to use, then stamp my image and color to match the paper. It helps to use a scratch paper to test the colors of markers/pencils. That way you can make sure you're getting the closest match. I also like to limit the amount of colors I use to keep the palettes coordinating. Hope that helps!
All great advice from the 3 posters above! I also make sure I have coordinating CS before I start. I find if I make a plan, my finished project turns out better.
I do like most of the above. I select the designer paper, match it to a Stampin' Up cardstock and then be sure when I color my image that I use at least two colors from the designer paper.
I find the image, then pick the card stock base. Next I start on my color choices. With SU! it is practically brainless because everything matches. I don't think I will ever use anything but SU! inks, card stock and designer papers. Oh and ribbon and brads and...
__________________ Barbara SU! Demo with a Blog
Procrastinators of the world unite... tomorrow!
I know how you feel! I've stamped and colored stuff with no real purpose other than to color, and then thought, "hmm, I spent all that time coloring. . . I should make a card!" Sometimes it works, and sometimes I end up adding a little more color here and there to make it coordinate. Just have fun - you don't have to match exactly for it to *work*, ya know?
I know how you feel! I've stamped and colored stuff with no real purpose other than to color, and then thought, "hmm, I spent all that time coloring. . . I should make a card!" Sometimes it works, and sometimes I end up adding a little more color here and there to make it coordinate. Just have fun - you don't have to match exactly for it to *work*, ya know?
Good point- if you're coloring just to color, then realize you'd like to actually use the piece, then you have to try to find what works... how about not using patterned paper at all... either stick to solids or better yet, make your own patterned paper by repeatedly stamping the same stamp in the same color or something along those lines... good luck!
It's true about Stampin' Up! making it easy. They even list the colors used in the designer paper in the Catalog & Idea book. When I'm using designer paper, I always use some of the colors listed whether card stock, ink, ribbons, etc... It really makes color choices a snap.
I actually color the image first - a lot!! Usually for me, the image dictates what the colors should be, you know? The art has a sort of feel to it and that's what I go with. I don't even think about the cardstock or DP.
When I go to choose the DP or cs, I don't necessarily feel I have to have an exact color match. It has to "go." (Think Stacy London and Clinton Kelley here! [what not to wear]) Remember you can choose complementary colors (check out a color wheel ~ just Google color wheel and you'll find a gazillion choices and more info).
And you may have heard interior designs say, "Let's pull a color from that fabric for the accent wall" or some such thing. You can choose a 'minor' color from your image and emphasize that by using it in your DP and cardstock - makes that color 'pop.'
Also, consider neutrals and a shade darker than a prominent color in your image to make a nice strong contrast ~ and don't forget white ;). Also, black or dark brown with a pastel can be fabulous.
I understand why others have mentioned choosing their paper first, but that's rarely how I work so I hope some of these tips have helped!
I work in much the same way that Nancy does, I color my image first. As for choosing patterned paper, I like to keep a selection of papers with SMALL patterns on hand. When pairing a patterned paper with an image that you have spent a lot of time on, you don't want your image competing for attention. A large pattern will overwhelm your image before you know it, making your card washed out and busy at the same time. Striped papers are a nice choice because of the amount of colors to choose from; papers that resemble calico fabrics are usually a safe bet, too. HTH!
__________________ ~ Jennifer Ellefson Created From Paper, a paper crafting blog
I usually pick my image and pick some patterned papers and cardstocks that will work well with the image. Then, I pick copic markers that coordinate with the patterned paper to color my image.
I always think of this advice for redecorating a room: If you're going to use a patterned area rug, start with that first and let it dictate your color scheme. That's because there are fewer choices in area rugs than there are in throw pillows, for example. And you have nearly unlimited color choices for the walls, so you can match your paint color last.
This works the same way for cards. Start with the patterned paper first and match your other colors to it.
It is really super amazing. But I do have to say, I try to stay with SU cardstock and match my patterned paper to their c/s. Because they have an amazing array of colors, I can always find solid c/s to match any patterend paper I have, even the one from Michaels & AC Moore.
I agree with Linda, I have never had a problem matching SU cs to other companies dp, even the DCWV slabs that everyone seems to hate. I think you get such value for your money, especially when they are on sale 50% off. SU's colors seem really universal to me, that it has never been a problem.
For the record, I have done it both ways, colored first and colored last. I usually choose my cs and dp first and then base my image colors off of that, but the other way works as well. Most of my coloring media is based on SU colors anyway (even my prismacolor pencils are in SU color families and my Copic collection is so small is doesn't matter yet).
I generally pick the dp first, too. I also have the SU color chart pulled from the catalogue and hanging on a cabinet door. Sometimes I take the dp and hold it up next to the color chart to see what would work.
the hardest thing for me to do is
the hardest thing for me to do is
