Coloring Embossed Images

[KittyKumar]

How do you color embossed images? (embossing with the little brass templates).

Do you color in the holes first, and then emboss? How do you get color into the little bitty holes?

Or, emboss first... then how do you keep from smushing the raised detail back down when you color?

[jeaniebean55]

How funny! I went out to google and typed in 'coloring embossed images' (I've seen a bunch of tutorials that show a whole bunch of ways to do this) and the very first links brought me right back to SCS! LOL! Here's the first one: Forums at Splitcoaststampers

I know I've seen where folk leave the brass template in place and then put color down with a stipple brush and chalk inks.

I've done SU! chalks with a Q-tip for a softer look (template not in place). I've also used alcohol ink on a felt pad (Tim Holz has some great video tutorials) for an outline definition, but more than just the raised part of the embossed area gets colored.

With all of the above, I think it takes a lot of practice to get the look you're really after. Have fun exploring!

[luvcardmaking]

KittyKumar:
Are you using colored pencils? I've not had great success with pencils due to the "smushing" of the embossing. However, if you remove the brass template, turn your cardstock so the embossed image is face up & replace the template to create a mask, you can then color carefully with other methods.

I've done this by using stencil paints (the regular ones that you would use on a wall or other material) and stencil brushes and I've also had good luck watercoloring with my water based stamp pads and paint brushes or an aquapainter. It also looks great to use crystal lacquer or SU's Crystal Effects after the colored image has throughly dried.

You mentioned specifically about little holes or other details in the stencil, those would be more difficult. Perhaps someone else has more expertise to share.
HTH
-Darlene

[KittyKumar]

Great suggestions.... thanx!

[kilroy]

This was the type of card that I used to make most often. After embossing, I colored with chalk. Don't use a lot of chalk and use a light touch. I then sprayed with cheap, usually Aqua Net, hairspray so that the chalk did not smear. Again use a light touch with the hairspray. If you get it too wet, the chalk runs.

You can also use a blender pen with rubber stamp ink using that light touch again. Get the ink to pool in the lid or use reinkers. Keep the stencil on the paper. Barely touch the blender pen to the ink and color the image.

[cjzim]

Have done the coloring with chalks as mentioned in above posts; if you have Copic markers, it is quite easy to color the embossed images after removing the template. My friend, K Prakken colored the CB embossing folder Winter House image with Copics and it was gorgeous.

[stampztoomuch]

I just did a tutorial on colouring Cuttlebug embossed images with copics (and going over the colouring with white acrylic paint.) Such fun! http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2010/0...g-new-bug.html

If you don't want to paint, though, you could just use the folder as support for any kind of colouring & keep your embossing nice & raised this way:

A) emboss your 'image' in an embossing folder
B) tape it onto the folder using scotch tape/ temporary adhesive to keep it in place
C) colour it however you like (the plastic will resist any colouring pressure)

:o) There are 200+ ways to use your cuttlebug on my blog here, if you're curious about what it can do: http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/0...en-bitten