For the month of May, I’ve been working on a series of summer card projects featuring the Not2Shabby Box of the Month. In my previous video, I covered several stamping techniques. This time, I’ve decided to mix things up and offer some tips on using alcohol markers to shade your stamped images.
My initial experience with the Spectrum Noir Triblends set taught me that using alcohol-based markers requires some level of skill and technique. In this post, I’d like to share a few insights I’ve gained during my experience.
When shading with alcohol markers it is important to use an ink developed for alcohol-based mediums. Using the wrong type of ink can cause smudging, smearing, or bleeding of the colors. Gina K’s Obsidian is my go-to ink when I am using alcohol markers, watercolors, and colored pencils with Gamsol. It’s best to give the ink a minute or two to dry so that it is set onto the paper.
Alcohol markers work best on paper that is designed to handle their unique properties. Look for paper that is thick enough to prevent bleeding and has a smooth surface. This will help the ink to glide across the page.
Creating light and shadow requires a layering of color. When it comes to markers, triblend options are among the easiest to use as they contain all three shades or blends in a single marker.
Some artists prefer to start with the lightest color and add darker shades to create depth and dimension. I am quite the opposite. I like to start with shading and work my way towards the light. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to add color, it’s a personal preference.
When you are blending colors, take time to experiment with a variety of shades and gradients. This may come as a surprise to you, but strawberries are usually shaded with more corals than reds. The combination of these two hues gives the fruit its distinctive color.
Join me in this video as I guide you through the coloring process and provide instructions for creating a strawberry card pocket card. My goal is to inspire you with this fun project.
As with any new art medium, alcohol marker coloring takes practice and experimentation. Take the time to try different techniques and see what works best for you. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful, vibrant works of art with your alcohol markers.
I hope today’s project inspired you. If you have any questions about the design or the supplies used, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
I hope this inspired you to try something new. If you have any questions about this project or the supplies listed above, feel free to leave me a comment.
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