10 February 2012

Spring is in the air

Oh the post title is sooo inappropriate, I am currently looking at a snow covered garden!!

Any way, lets think warm thoughts and spring mornings because......

the MAKE IT CRAFTY CHALLENGE is:
"Spring Colours"


Now I had rather a lot of fun with this particular card as it's a combination of my two favourite mediums: Copic and coloured pencils, in other words a "hybrid"

I know I've said before that I don't tend to use pencils on Copic suitable card because its smoothness causes the pencils to smudge (oh boy the Australian themed card did until I sprayed it with fixative)

However, I would say I have found that adding pencil to Copic work smudges less, I guess the Copic ink gives the pencil something to adhere to - and I am loving the results I can achieve.  But please note, I use Copic first, then add pencil - doing the reverse may cause your Copic nibs to pick up pencil residue and over time lead to them having to be replaced.
Hair is an ideal area to benefit from the finer detail that adding a little pencil can achieve, not to mention grass and in this case the toadstool - try it for yourself and I'd love to hear how you get on.

I would recommend investing in a can of fixative to save your artwork smudging once complete - I use Winsor & Newton Artists' Fixative for pastel, charcoal and pencil which works brilliantly, but for years I used the students "budget conscious" alternative - a can of hairspray!!!

I loved seeing all those beautiful red entries and cannot wait to see what you guys create for this challenge which can be posted HERE where you will also find some lovely projects created by my fellow teamies.

In the meantime I'm entering this into the following challenges:
All that Scraps - Anything goes
Crafts and me - Use a new image

Crafty Hugs


17 comments:

Joey said...

Jane, WOW, I absolutely love this, the image is so cute and wow your colouring!!! Love the effect of the added pencil too. Joey x

Regina said...

Jane!!! Your card is so gorgeous as always!! I love the beautiful papers that you used. This Wee image is so cute and your coloring... WOW!!!! the only word I´ve is absolutely STUNNING!!!!:)))
Have a marvellous weekend!!

Sassy Scrapper said...

Omgosh I just came across your blog and saw this delightful card and had to pop in and say how stinking cute!!! You colored her in beautifully. I love everything about it. I'm your newest follower and look forward to seeing more of your creations.
Hugs Bonnie

Unknown said...

A truly stunning card - roll on Spring! Thank you for sharing this with us at the Crafty Purple Frog challenge.

Dorcas said...

Gorgeous coloring, Jane! I love how you mix pencils with copics...stunning results!!

Susie Little said...

So Beautiful Jane, the colouring is exquiste!! Thank you for playing "Flower Power" at The Crafty Purple Frog. xx

Hazel (Didos) said...

WOW your colouring is amazing, what a super card, thanks for sharing with us on MAWTT's Cute Critters Challenge this week, Love Hazelxoxo

Sue B said...

Wow! this is stunning Jane! what a cute image and your colouring is perfection! Gorgeous papers and embellishments - all so pretty!
Thank you for joining us at MAWTT and Good Luck in the Challenge!
Hugs Sue xx

angelwhispers said...

Goodness this is just awesome I just love your colouring it always amazes me and your tips are always great! Thanks for sharing! Chanelle xxx

Pat said...

Hey Jane! Another amazing work of art! I love using pencils over Copics...but never thought to add fixative! Great tip! Oh...guess what? I just got a whole set of Faber-Castell pencils...will try those and see if I like 'em. My next purchase will be the Caran d'ache (sp?) pencils you told me about! hehe! Oh...I'm taking a drawing class...such fun!! Gotta run...hugs. Pat Frank

Anonymous said...

Oh how beautiful Jane! Your coloring is lovely! You always inspire me and I love visiting your blog! Hope you are having a great weekend, hugs, Angela

Anonymous said...

Hello your card is stunning.
The image is beautifully colored and I like the colors.
Beautiful Jane!

Lisa Jane said...

what a pretty image and colours
Thanks for joining us at MAWTT this week for our cute critter challenge
Lisa x

craftyb said...

your card is gorgeous! The image is just adorable in itself but your colouring is just senstational! LOVE all the swirly action going on too! Thanks for joining us at Crafty Creations Challenges! bx

Squirrel x said...

WOWZA missus! Hugs Sxx

Delphine said...

Gorgeous! I love your hybrid card and your soft fresh colours! thank you for all the tips you share with us, I learn a lot from you:-)! BIG hugs Delphine xx

dragonllew said...

Oh wow this is gorgeous I love the image and the colours thanks for joining us at MAWTT this week.
Jenny x
GDT