How do you color in a stamped image? (pencils, chalk, etc.)

[smerrscrap]

Hi, how do you color in a stamped image and make it look good? Do you use colored pencils, chalks/chalk pencils, markers, etc.? I would like my stamped images to look like good and I tend to shy away from detailed images that require a lot of coloring in and shading. Do you have any tips you could share or great products? Also, do you seal your image (for instance, like when using chalks) like with a spray or anything? I realize these questions may seem silly, but I don't know the answers and maybe you do.....thank you.

[lvmypilot]

I'd like to make my cards look like the samples in the catalog, but they never do. So, I'd like to hear some suggestions too.

[Steffani]

Chalks are forgiving. You can erase them if you don't like it. I like the watercolor pencils too. You can trace around the edges and use the blender pen (more solid color) or aqua painter/watercolor brush (pastel color) to pull color away from lines to center.

Steffani

[PaperRapt]

I haven't played much with pencils, so I can't speak to that. I tend to use chalks, chalks with blender pens and markers. When using chalks to color in, I do use a sealer (hairspray or other). No need to seal if using blender pens. If you don't have time to emboss your image, before coloring in I came across a great tip not that long ago. Stamp your image in your desired color (usually black or brown), seal it, then color. That will keep the image looking crisp and it won't bleed into the other colors.

In terms of shading items---that has and is my biggest challenge when coloring in. I attended several stamping classes at a local convention 2 years ago and a gal shared a great tip. Pretend there is a light shining directly over your head. Where would there be shade (darker colors)? So of course you think of under your chin, bottoms of your sleeves etc. Well, when looking a stamped image do the same. So, for instance on a snowman, there would be shading just below a hat, just below the snowballs that make his body, etc.,.

HTH a little bit. Have fun experimenting!

Annette
http://stamponthis.com

[tomoly]

What a great question! I can never get my chalks to look like everyone else's - they are always so uneven!

What does everyone use with their chalks to get such good and even color? Qtips? The applicators that came with them?

[Jovi]

I love to use chalks, I use eye shadow applicators (cheap at Walmart) to apply it. Then spray with Aqua Net (also cheap)! Don't I sound cheap!!

I also love to do watercoloring, dip your waterbrush onto the lid of your ink pad and color in!

[sunneedazee]

My current fave for coloring in images is the aqua painters dipped into the lid of the ink pads. I especially love using this technique with the brush stroke sets, like summer by the sea.

[irishjc820]

Jovi - nothing wrong with finding good deals! Leaves more money for stamps!!

[AngFab]

I have FINALLY gotten the hang of the aquapainters - MAN these are so cool I actually feel like a real live artist using those, so they are my current fave. I also am a big fan of the markers. So I was on a marker streak for a long time. Before that, I was into the blender pens w/chalk - gives kind of an in between markers and watercolor effect. I haven't played with my pencils yet - got those last summer but haven't tried them out yet It's on my "need to try it" list.

Best advice is to just jump in and see what works for you! Good Luck!

[Jami]

Deep subject - so many options!!! How many can we think of?
*Chalk (I prefer Q-tips to apply. Sometimes I even use my fingers to blend after coloring in)
*Chalk with blender pen
*Ink from lid with Aquapainter or watercolor brush
*Ink from lid with blender pen
*Watercolor pencils with Aquapainter or watercolor brush
*Watercolors - pallette-type
*Twinkling H20s
*Markers (I especially like them on glossy cardstock)

I'm no expert!!! But I do enjoy coloring. The best tip I can give is to pick a few cards from the gallery and look at the shading on them and try to copy the look. I think Aquapainter is one of the easiest ways. Also type of cardstock makes a difference. Chalk/watercolor works better on something like naturals than it does on Ultrasmooth. I do not like to use them on US.

Maybe we should find the chalk and watercolor experts in the gallery and ask them to put in a few tips.

[inkylady]

Now that I have my aquapainters, I hardly use my pencils or chalks or blender pens at all! I just love the watery look of ink with aquapainters. I'm also really loving the future floor wax in aquapainter for my Pearlex!

My poor pencils, chalks and blender pens... I'll have to dig them back out and use them for "old times" sake!

[Denise Jimenez]

The Aqua Pens work great with FUTURE in them for shading and blending the chalks- always start with your lightest color first and work up to darker. Then take the blender pen or Aqua painter and Voila- a Water color look!- Always spray chalks with Aerosol hairspray- the cheaper the better- Not too much- the paper will curl. IF you use the Future- you don't have to spray the chalk. Just remenber not to squeez the pen too much.d

[Lisa Lisa]

I use everything!!! I started out with blender pens with ink and chalk. its a simple way to start.
the aqua painters are incredible............I would use them before anything now on recular cardstock.

I use the markers for smaller areas and glossy.
I tell you, you just have to start somewhere.....they are all cool!

[CrabbyAbbe]

I like to use ink squished into the lid of my ink pad with a blender pen. That is my current favorite.

[tomoly]

Okay, I have to ask - why do you spray it with hairspray?

[smerrscrap]

These ideas are amazing. I have chalks and some colored pencils, but not familiar with the aqua painters and H2o pens. Thanks for the suggestions and I probably should just jump in and experiment...lol.

[Shirleyone]

They tell you to spray it with hair spray so the chalk, etc. doesn't rub off.

HTH,
Shirley