Colors of Fall

Hello,

The kids are back to school and Labor Day is here.  Summer is official coming to an end and before we know it the leaves will start to turn into the most beautiful color combinations.  For the next couple of weeks I am going to be playing with these wonderful colors.  

Today, let's start with a simple leaf and a fun background...

Here we have Monica in HMCO1Fall Float

1. Color the entire leaf with YR23
2. Following the sections within the leaf pattern, lightly flick YG95 then shade by flicking YG99
3. Following other sections within the leaf pattern, lightly flick YR24 then shade by flicking YR27

For higher contrast you can add more shadows of E07 into the YR27.  You can go over the YG99 with  a brown or warm gray.

Apply 2 coats of gesso to tag and let dry before starting.

1. Randomly air brush YR24, YR, 27 and YG97.  Spritz with 97% Isophrophyl Alcohol.  You will see the colors spread.  Let dry.
2. I cut a stencil from a die from Fancy Lattice Expandable Pattern Die/Spellbinders.  
1. I tore a scrap piece of paper and sandwiched it to prevent a complete die cut.  I wanted a random pattern for my stencil.
2. Lightly air brush the pattern with B97
3. Deepen the colors with E07 and YG99

Here is a complete color pallet.

I will be back next week with more fall colors with a very different project.

Meet Maxwell, from the House Mouse Family

Hello,
Today I happy to bring you Maxwell from the House Mouse® Family and I have a quick tutorial on how to color this little prankster with Copic Markers.  

Everyone, meet Maxwell.  

Maxwell is reddish-brown and has a perpetually curled tail.  He thinks he is extremely good looking, in a handsome mouse like way.  He is the prankster of the House Mouse Family and loves to play tricks whenever he can.  As you can see in this Maxwell is doing his thing by showing off in "HMV03 Juggling Dice"

Skin tone on the mice are just like people.

1. With E50 color the face, hands, feet and inside ears
1. Make sure to go into the fur area.  You don't want a line.  You will also bring the fur down into the skin tone to give a natural look.
2. With E51 add shading around eyes, inside ears, hands where fur meets and feet where fur meets.
3. With E04 use tip to tip with E50 to lightly add color to cheeks, nose and inside ears.  you can also add a nice little shadow to hands and feet.
4. With BV20 add shadow in the darker areas of feet and inside ears.

Fur is important.  With the mice the lines are drawn which will make it easier.  You will color making a flicking motion.  "light" flicking back and forth.  It is also important is to color everything around the mouse before you color the mouse it's self.  It is furry,  if you color the mouse first you will loose the fur outside of the body.  You will see when you color it.

1. With E31 first then E35 "flick" lightly back and fourth and go outside the lines.  Leave white paper showing
2. With E35 lightly "Flick" in your shadows to start bringing Maxwell to life
3. With E57 lightly "Flick" more shadows in smaller areas then blend by "flicking" with E35 and E31.  The darker areas now are becoming fully saturated with color and that is ok.  You should still be seeing some of the white paper in the lighter areas.

The background is textured with Blending Solution and piece of burlap.  This was done first as the blending solution will "push" all colors away.  

Here is the full color pallet for reference.  Feel free to pin it!

May Arts Ribbon Cutting Blog Hop

My name is Rhea, I am very thankful to be a 2013-2014 Prima Ribbonista with May Arts Ribbon.  I look forward to an exciting year with a wonderful company and a very talented group of designers!!!

I am pleased to share my love for the warm soft colors of vintage and  the romance of flowers.  As well as my passion for my Copic Markers.  When I can mix metals with the soft airbrushed ribbons it brings amazing results.  Coloring an image with my Copics makes it even better.  

Making the ribbon roses are very easy....

1. Cut about 20" of 392 58"x10y SHEER / BOX PLEAT ribbon.  Place double sided tape along bottom edge
2. Start a tight roll for the middle.  As you go get very loose and start taping at the bottom not the sides.  Tape loosely.  Once you get your shape you can pinch to round it more.
3. spread each layer open.
4. Lightly heat the edges to give a more tattered look.  I colored the edges with a Copic Marker then spritzed with alcohol and lightly heated again.  

Here is a list of who's playing today;

Candy Rosenberg

Jen Shears

Karen Baker

Lalo IK

Virginia Fynes

Rhea Weigand - you are here

Shellye McDaniel

Sandy Allnock

DeeDee Catron

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win!!!!

Here is how you can jump to the May Arts Blog

If you missed hopping yesterday there is still time;

Christina Colón

Gini Williams Cagle

Emily Lanham

Jenifer Cowles

Jessica Kephart

Courtney Lee

Latrice Murphy

Charlene Dirges

Erin Thiem

Here is a list of products used: