13 January 2012

Make it Crafty Challenge time

OK firstly, where did the last 12 days go............holy moley, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the date - I sure hope the rest of 2012 is not going to fly by in a blur!!

Anyway, abject apologies for not posting since the 1st (oh the shame)

Make it Crafty Challenge
"Create Blades of Grass"

Nah, I don't mean go grow some grass (clarification - as in lawn not the illegal plants!!)

Oh before I dig myself in any deeper here is my interpretation of this challenge:


I wanted to choose a very simple image so the grass was not swamped, nor did I want to go mad and make it look like the fungi were growing in astro turf or green shag pile carpet.  As I have said before "less is more"!

Initially, I printed my image out twice, once on my cardstock and then again on Eclipse Masking tape.  I used to use masking film, which is fine for rubber stamps as you can use Stazon ink, but printer ink, like Memento just doesn't like it, I've tried it and got inky fingers and splodgy messes for my efforts!! However as Eclipse is like a Post-It printer ink works fine.  Why do this you may well ask - ah ha, once I had trimmed my mask mushrooms I stuck them over the ones printed on cardstock and set to work with my Copic Airbrush.  However hard I try to get smooth backgrounds by hand, the air brush, pardon the pun beats it "hands down" - so the faff of masking is well worth the effort..........................especially when colouring and creating grass.

Little Toadstools Digi Stamp available at MakeitCrafty.com

As you can see from the above image - I was quite restrained this time with my colour palette!  My grass base was created with G40 and it was there that I started when inking in my tufts, working my way through G82, G12 and G84 with various W greys to add depth and those all important shadows. Delicate little flicks from base to tip are sufficient to give the impression of grass.  Keep the darker shades at the base of the tufts, and the lighter shades to create the blades of grass NB - be light of touch - if you are too heavy handed with the tufts it can start to look like a bad hair transplant - not a good look for crafting or middle aged men!!

Another thing to bear in mind when adding grass to an image - where is the focal point in your picture - if you only want a little bit of grass to ground or enhance your main subject then keep it light in both colour and density - it's all too easy to over do the grassy tufts and before you know it you have a lovely dense green carpet that draws your eye away from the main focus...............been there, done that!!!

 I and the rest of the Make it Crafty team would love you to join in this challenge - your entries can be posted here at the Make it Crafty Gallery where my teamies have posted some wonderful examples to inspire you.

Well I hope this is of help to those of you wanting to experiment with ways of "grounding" your stamped images...........as always if you have any questions feel free to email me.

Crafty Hugs

10 comments:

Gram's Treasures said...

This is lovely...and thanks so much for the bit of instruction.
Joyce xx

Dorcas said...

Well done, Jane! Your grass is so soft and lovely. And I know it wasnt part of the challenge but I just have to say it nonetheless, the shadows on that mushroom is PERFECT!!

Liza said...

Beautiful colouring Jane, I love the background and the shadow effect you have done.

Liza x

Joey said...

Jane this is fantastic, your colouring really is stunning! Joey x

angelwhispers said...

Jane your colouring is just awesome and so perfect! Chanelle xxx

Chris said...

Beautiful Jane and I love your how you coloured with a limited palette, such a striking effect. Have a great weekend. Chris x

Delphine said...

I have never seen such gorgeous mushrooms, Jane! I LOVE how you have coloured them, and the shadows are so perfect! They look so real! I love your grass too, and CAS layout:-)! I hope you are well:-) Sending you BIG hugs Delphine xx

Pat said...

Hey there sweet friend! I swear, I am continuously blown away by your stunning coloring!! Absolutely brilliant shading and shadows! Hugs. Pat Frank

Unknown said...

Hi Jane!
Wow! This is incredible! The shadow on the mushroom is just unbelievable! You truly are talented!
Lizy x

Squirrel x said...

Jane, hunny, this is, in one word, AWESOME!!!! Sxx