Hi everyone, today I would like to show you step by step how I coloured this masculine birthday card, using the Spectrum Noir Illustrator alcohol markers.
Step 1:
First I printed this digital image by Make it Crafty (“Adventure Dad”) onto alcohol marker friendly paper. I also die cut around the image to create a rectangle shape two sizes smaller than my card base.
I always start with the skin or the hair when I colour an image. For this outdoorsy masculine type I used FS7, TN1, TN2 and later on I added some TN4. Try to pretend that the light source is in the top left hand corner. Also clothing and hats are creating shadows, so in that area the skin is darker.
Step 2:
Next I coloured the rock and the other brown parts of the image. For these parts I used EB8, RB2, BG2 and BG4. I keep adding layers until I’m happy with the way the image looks. If you feel you have gone to dark you can slightly lighten the colour by using the Blender marker.
Step 3:
For the gray/black parts I used EB8, IG2 and IG5.
For the red parts I used DR7, DR3, DR1 and PP3. Folds can be a challenge but in this image the folds are visible in the image which makes the colouring part easier.
Step 4:
For all the green parts I used DG1, CG4, YG3. Notice how I don’t stay within one and the same colour family with any of my colouring? I created a colour chart with each of the marker colours that I own and then mix and match the colours as I see fit. I finished colouring by adding a bit of TB1 around the image.
You can find all the Illustrator markers that I used on today's project HERE!
Step 5:
During the colouring process or in the end I adjust any part of the image that I have coloured previously when I feel that shadows need deepening or a specific area needs a bit more definition for example (like the skin tone or the shoes in this particular image). When all of the colouring is done I add back in some highlights using a white Gelly Roll pen.
Step 6:
The rest of the card project is easy: die cut a small circle from blue card stock. Also die cut the numbers from matching green card stock (this die set is by Winnie & Walter). Adhere the numbers to the blue circle using liquid glue. Then adhere this combination to the coloured image also using liquid glue.
Die cut a slightly larger rectangle panel from matching deep red card stock and adhere both rectangle panels together using liquid glue. And to finish this card adhere this combination to a white linen textured card base using one millimetre thick foam tape.
Detail picture:
And that’s it for today’s card project! I wish you a creative day!
