Hi, I'm Torrey. Welcome to Left Field, where creativity runs amok and imagination is ALWAYS more important than knowledge. Shoes are not allowed but ties are optional. This is a repository of snippets from my life out here in Left Field. One never knows what shiny bits of creativity will be found here... cards, scrapbook layouts, photography, poetry, recipes, ponderings, rantings and musings. It could be anything! Life in Left Field is always changing, always real, always ...interesting.

April 30, 2012

A Perfect Marriage--Copics and Prismas

Okay, so y'all know I recently made the GINORMOUS leap into the vast ocean that is Copic Markers. Well...ginormous for ME.

I've discovered that marrying Copic Markers and Prismacolor Pencils together to color stamped images...is a match made in crafty heaven.

Who knew? And why do I suddenly want to start singing "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" from Fiddler on the Roof?

(clears throat)

Matchmaker, matchmaker 
make me a match
something that I
won't throw in the trash
Help me create with my pencil and pen
something that's truly Zen...

I'm so excited to really delve into this blended "medium"!!! I've pretty much figured out that it's MUCH more effective (and easy) to lay down a layer of REALLY light color with my Copics as a base than it is to try and achieve a light, EVEN tone of colored pencil. Perhaps I shall do a tutorial on this in May...

So that's what I'm working on doing from this day forward...'til death do us part (or my Copics run dry).

Take this card, for example.

I made this card for my friend's daughter Andrea. She just turned 1. I loved this image as it TOTALLY reminds me of Andrea in her little pink tutu-esque skirt. To achieve this look, I took my Copics and laid down the lightest tones you see in the card...flesh, pink, yellow and tan (for the hair). I don't remember the specific Copic #s, but suffice it to say...they were all REALLY pale. I didn't do any shading...nada. Just laid down a single layer of color for each element of the image (skin, hair, sweater, skirt, shoes, frosting).

Once I had the entire image colored it looked flat and boring. But this is exactly what I was hoping for. Laying down the pale Copics gave me an incredible foundation for building the shadows with my Prismacolor pencils.

It worked GREAT. I was even able to use odorless mineral spirits (OMS) just like I normally would to blend the colored pencil. The Copics remained true, even with the use of OMS. The end result is really FaBuLoUs!

I think I very well may have found a way that I can and WILL use Copics in my card making.

Copics and Prismacolor Pencils...it's a perfect marriage...I'm tellin' ya.


Ingredients:

Digital Stamp - Nellie Snellen (Dawn with birthday Cake)
Copic Markers
Prismacolor Pencils
Nestability dies - Spellbinders (Scalloped Oval)
mini scallop scissors
patterned paper
cardstock
grosgrain ribbon

5 comments:

  1. I know what you mean. I love blending my copics with my Prismas. I totally love the prismas but the copics give them such great dimension.

    Your card came out beautifully colored for sure and the papers and sketch you chose for the card really enhance your image.

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  2. It's better in person! hehe, but it looks pretty darn cute! Gotta get good with my prisma's now so I can join in on the fun.

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  3. OMW I love this! Great job!!

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  4. 'Tis fabulous. You're a natural with the Copics.

    Bring on the tutorial!!! I just got a 72 pack of cheap colored pencils from Walmart! They seem to work as well as my Prismas!

    Now I only need to find some of my beloved Citrus paint thinner...

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! It is always wonderful to get virtual pats on the back!! I truly appreciate every comment...they are little bits of love.