MCC Colouring 101 Wk 1 - Water Based Markers & Watercolours

Links: Previous Post, Glenda Waterworth, My Creative Classroom (MCC)

from my sketchbook

Stamp: Elusive Images (Chocolate Baroque) UA5SP0327 Seadragon

Inks: Memories Black (image), Tea Dye Distress Ink (inked edges) 

Colouring: Whispers Strokes Pens (left), Cotman Pan Watercolours (right)

Initially I selected a large flower to colour but after several attempts with the Whispers Pens resulted in blotchy flat colouring I realised that once again I'd picked an unsuitable image for the medium/technique - it is one thing to copy the image/image type exactly but selecting one's own is another matter. A flat accumulation of penstrokes ensued when I tried shading the individual crenallations to give depth but I was rather pleased when I tried the above shading: dark to light from the bottom of each foliage tier/layer.

The numbering system of the Whispers Pens is my own as I now find it impossible to colour without having an idea of how the colour appears on cardstock as opposed to the cap. I used the sticky labels available at any stationery supplier, wrote the number by hand & cut to an appropriate size.

MCC Colouring 101 Wk 1 - Migrating Ink, Inkpad Pallettes & Pencils

Links: Previous Post, Glenda Waterworth, My Creative Classroom (MCC)

from my sketchbook

Migrating Ink

Stamp: Elusive Images (Chocolate Baroque) UDLGGSPO23 Nature's Peace

Ink: Frayed Burlap Distress Ink

Since I'm happy with the Cotman Cold Pressed 190gsm watercolour paper I had settled on using that for all my projects but, as I was working on my first images using the migrating properties of water soluble ink, I had an itch to replicate what I was doing on the Langton Hot Pressed 300gsm watercolour paper. What a surprise when I did. I could barely move the ink to create a shadow outside my stamped image (top row) despite adding copious amounts of water & had only slightly better success when moving the ink within the stamped lines (bottom row). Additionally the whole image appeared somewhat bleached (right). I much prefer the vibrancy & ease of manipulation when using the Cotman (left).

 Inkpad Pallettes

Stamp: Elusive Images (Chocolate Baroque) UDLSP0235 Nature's Table

Inks: Forest Moss & Barn Door Distress Inks

This was not as easy as it might look for I discovered that I needed to select the image that I chose bearing in mind the different colours I was going to combine. My first attempts had too many elements but applying Glenda's colour theory teaching in conjunction with a an artist's colour wheel I was rather pleased with this (bottom right) result. The first (top left) is the image simply stamped, then (top right) with ink pulled into the image using a wet paintbrush & thirdly (bottom left) using the same inkpad as a palette.

Adding Pencils

Stamp: Elusive Images (Chocolate Baroque) UDLSP0235 Nature's Table

Ink: Walnut Stain Distress Ink  Colouring: Derwent Coloursoft Pencils

MCC Colouring 101 Wk 1 - Groundwork

Links: Previous Post, Glenda Waterworth, My Creative Classroom (MCC)

I finally managed to buy some Hot Pressed Watercolour paper & recently obtained some Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock, Ryman's Coated Card & some cardstock specifically designed for use with alcohol markers. So, these were what I used with my favourite inkpads for the purposes of testing:

•  the clarity of the stamped impression;
•  the combined response of ink & paper to water;
•  the ability to manipulate the ink if/when it migrates.

Nick Bantock Dye Inkpad - Lamp Black

A good detailed stamped impression retained whilst allowing the manipulation of ink with a wet paintbrush.

Tim Holtz Distress Dye Inkpad - Black Soot

A good detailed stamped impression becoming less defined whilst allowing ink manipulation with a wet paintbrush on watercolour paper. It is designed to react with water but refuses to on the Ryman's, Premium & Whisper White.

Memento Dye Inkpad - Tuxedo Black

Very good detailed stamped impression which is retained whilst allowing a little manipulation of ink with a wet paintbrush. Supposedly water resistant it does "ghost" as above.

Memories Dye Inkpad - Black

An amazingly reliable clearly defined & detailed stamped impression which is completely water resistant.

Brilliance Pigment Inkpad - Graphite Black

A softer less clearly defined but detailed stamped impression completely water reistant.

VersaFine Pigment Inkpad - Onyx Black

With a reputation for clear detailed water resistant stamped impressions I find it less defined than the Memories.


Conclusions
The surfaces of the  Ryman's, Premium & Whisper White cardstocks were all affected by contact with water leaving a residual furriness to the touch as opposed to the smooth finish where there had been no contact. It really is a matter of using the appropriate ink & cardstock for the medium with which I wish to colour & the technique I want to use, so these are my current preferences.

• A Memento inkpad on one of the glass smooth or coated cardstocks (I've yet to decide which of those I prefer) when colouring with alcohol markers. 

• The Memories inkpad on watercolour paper for any colouring technique where I want a crisp defined stamped imprint with no ink migration upon the application of water. I personally prefer the lighter weight (90lbs/190gsm) Cotman Cold Pressed /NOT*GRAIN FIN watercolour paper to the above Langton as it is easily obtainable (in the UK it can even be obtained at a Hight Street W H Smith  & sometimes at a considerable discount) & has fractionally more tooth allowing easier blending/layering of coloured pencils. The other advantage of using the 190gsm is that it is "scissor friendly" & can be used where detailed (fussy) cutting out of images is required.

• The Distress or Nick Bantock inkpad on watercolour paper where I wish to utilize the water soluble migration properties of the ink for colouring.

Recipe

Stamp Elusive Images (now Chocolate Baroque) UA5SP0328 Mermaid Queen.

Cardstock Langton - Daler-Rowney The Langton Extra Smooth Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper 140lb 300gsm; Ryman - Ryman Bright White Coated Card 200gsm; Premium - Southfield Premium Pure White Glass Smooth Bleed Resistant 200gsm; Whisper White - Stampin' Up! Whisper White Smooth Cardstock.

Thank You & MCC Colouring 101

Just a few words to thank you for the comments & emails I have received since my last post. Migraine control is greatly improved & there is gradual daily progress.

I shall be concentrating on the coursework for the MCC (My Creative Classroom) Colouring 101 which Glenda is running again & I intend to build upon the work that I did the first time whilst using different images where possible. So, for the moment, my posts will revolve around that & my continuing discoveries. The latter arise when I least expect them to & understanding grows rather in the manner of peeling off the successive layers of an onion.