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I don't do this often but when I do I either use a Copic marker (I have Cool Shadow, lots of people use a very pale grey), a Prismacolour pencil in very light blue or grey and then blend with OMS or else I use a watercolour brush and ink in whatever colour fits the project (pale brown, grey or blue usually). I think the key thing is to keep the colour very pale and don't worry too much if the line is not exactly even width all the way round - shadows in real life aren't.
Thanks for your tip! I didn't have a grey so once I tried with black (lightly colored) and it was a bummer but after reading your tip I tried light blue and it works great!
IMO, There are two main styles of shadows (outside an object) that are seen in stamping:
1. Outlining Shadow. Going completely around the shape with a color. This makes the image pop from the paper, as if it is floating in space.
2. Ground shadow. Having a shadow that matches one edge of an object and shows where light is coming from. This gives the object a ground plane to rest on.
Some images look better with a good ground shadow- things that we feel have weight (a flower in a pot). Some things are not attached to the ground and would look strange with a ground shadow (a butterfly or a single blossom). I don't really consider an outline a "shadow" in the traditional sense, since a shadow would imply a single light source and darker on one side, lighter on the other, but an outline IS a way of adding color around an image to make it POP more.
You can see what I mean in this example. I happened to color it with Copics, though it could be colored with any medium. See what I mean about whether you want the image to "float" above the surface of the page or you want it to be part of the ground in the picture.
IMO, There are two main styles of shadows (outside an object) that are seen in stamping:
1. Outlining Shadow. Going completely around the shape with a color. This makes the image pop from the paper, as if it is floating in space.
2. Ground shadow. Having a shadow that matches one edge of an object and shows where light is coming from. This gives the object a ground plane to rest on.
Some images look better with a good ground shadow- things that we feel have weight (a flower in a pot). Some things are not attached to the ground and would look strange with a ground shadow (a butterfly or a single blossom). I don't really consider an outline a "shadow" in the traditional sense, since a shadow would imply a single light source and darker on one side, lighter on the other, but an outline IS a way of adding color around an image to make it POP more.
You can see what I mean in this example. I happened to color it with Copics, though it could be colored with any medium. See what I mean about whether you want the image to "float" above the surface of the page or you want it to be part of the ground in the picture.
Thank you for sharing this - you explained it really well and your samples helped clarify it.
Not having any art background, I struggle with the concept of how light creates shadows on objects. I am definitely drawn to work that shows shadows grounding the object rather than making them float, but I now understand the reason for wanting to make some objects appear to be floating.
If you head to my blog I try to frequently post mini art lessons for papercrafters. I work for Copic, so in my examples I use Copic markers, but you can apply the art lessons to any medium.
If you head to my blog I try to frequently post mini art lessons for papercrafters. I work for Copic, so in my examples I use Copic markers, but you can apply the art lessons to any medium.
HTH!
Thanks, Marianne! Your information is very helpful and I peeked at your blog and bookmarked it for future reference. (It's VERY late now, and I need to get some sleep!) I'm so glad I caught this thread and hope I'm not too tired to absorb this good stuff!! I look forward to checking out your blog and learning about the Copics I've heard so much about. Thanks again! ~L~
Okay.....let me tell you that you MUST, MUST, MUST hurry over to Marianne's blog and sign up for e-mail notification of new posts. She has had one of the best series on coloring and basics!! I have enjoyed every single minute! When's the book coming out, Marianne? ;-)
__________________ Ann Here is my oily blog! CLICK HERE Certified Copic Instructor - Local ClassesI love cars, stamping and essential oils!
Book? I have no idea. Just enjoy the blogs and let me know if you want to see a specific tip that I haven't covered already (I may already have it in the wings waiting to be posted). Someday maybe I'll write a book.
Thanks for reading my blog! I want people to know that although I use Copics on my blog (since I work for the company) the art techniques can be applied to anything. I taught art for many years and I love to see people who improve in their art confidence and skill, no matter what medium.
Maybe that is just a good suggestion for your future! ;-)
I have loved working with my prismas and gamsol and have copics that I'm learning with. I learned so much with the prismas in the past two years about shadowing and such. It has been wonderful though learning even more from your blog!
__________________ Ann Here is my oily blog! CLICK HERE Certified Copic Instructor - Local ClassesI love cars, stamping and essential oils!
I tried the Sahara Sand marker last night on this card on my blog: http://buggin2stamp.blogspot.com/200...snow-snow.html
It worked really well. I like how it turned out. Thanks for the suggestion to use a marker that rarely gets any attention.
