Thursday's Tutorial from C !!

Hello Everyone,

It is my week to do a tutorial for Papercraft Star and, as February is sponsored by Copic Markers, and I have to be a Certified Copic Designer I thought I would teach a basic technique called Blending. For those of you who are not familiar with Copic Markers you should understand that these are not your regular old markers. These are alcohol-based markers that provide some amazing opportunities to showcase color in your craft work like nothing you have ever seen before. Today's technique is going to be basic but if you play around with it you will be hooked!

The first step in blending is pulling the right markers. Now, Copic Markers can be confusing at first blush. There are so many different kinds of markers and so many colors. Also, what do all the letters and numbers mean? I think it can be overwhelming for anyone. Today let me keep things simple by selecting 3 colors for you to demonstrate the technique and then point you in the direction of some great resources for more information.

The first step is pulling all your supplies together...

The items I have selected are a few colors from Copic, some PTI white paper, Memento black ink and a fun stamp from Verve.

Step 2 is to stamp your image and start coloring...

You will see that I have taken my first, and lightest, color (R81) and put down a solid color layer. I have made sure to really saturate the paper with ink. Saturation is key...I will explain more later.

Step 3 is to add another layer of color...

This step involves adding another darker layer of color (R83). You will note I have added it only from the right back to a bit past the center. If you look you should see a clear break in the color between the lighter and darker shade.

Step 4 begins the blending technique...

The photo shows you what the cake begins to look like after I have taken the lighter color and pulled it through the darker color. Basically, I am starting from right to left going over the darker color and pulling it into the lighter color. I am really pushing my colors together. The reason I can do this is because of the deep saturation of the alcohol ink into the paper. The color moves! You will also note that I have indicated that the light source is coming from the left side. This helps me establish the foundation for my shade blending.

Step 5 involves adding a third layer of color...

In this photo you should clearly see the third and darkest color I have added (R85). Note that I have only added that color to the far right third of the cake as it is the farthest from the light source.

Step 6 is to continue blending the dark color back into the lighter shades (right to left)...

I hope you can see how the colors have blended into each other giving a level of dimension to the cake that you just wouldn't find if I just pulled out a single rose-colored marker and filled in the image.

The key to blending is being generous with your ink. The saturation of the paper is what makes the movement of the coloring (blending) so smooth. See what the back of my paper looked like...and this is using some very thick white cardstock (PTI).

Now I would like to show you how I used this basic technique and made a fun birthday card for my best friend!

And here is a close up of the cake all decked out with more color and stickles!

I hope you enjoyed this technique. Check out my blog, Trade Fish Designs, for more details about Copic Markers and a list of all the products used on this card.

Beth has our Exec Revel tomorrow - be sure you check in for her fabulous project !!

Don't forget - link up your submission before noon Saturday to be eligible for all our great prizes !