Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Spring Violets

Well, after seeing so many beautiful cards created by everyone I decided to test my hand with Copic markers.  After numerous emails and phone calls I wasn’t able to find one Copic class in my area so I decided to teach myself.

I have had Copic markers for quite sometime, but never really did anything with them.  I guess I was waiting to purchase my Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad as Copics won’t work with StazOn.  Believe me I found this out the hard way!

So this is my very first card created with Copics.  Please be honest and tell me what you think and if I should continue down this path and purchase additional colors for my set.

The flowers were colored in V000, V04, and V09.  The leaves were done in G40, G82, G85 and G94.  I’m not sure if these are the correct colors to use and blend with, but they were the colors I had in my box.

I love how vibrant the violets turned out and tried to select an image that didn’t require shading.  I used the Copic sketch markers, but did find it a little difficult to color the small stems of the flowers.  Any suggestions?  Do you use Cio markers?

Thank you for coming to visit me! 

A close up of the violets.

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  PSX Viola (K-037) 
Paper:  Thistle, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White 
Ink:  Image - Memento Tuxedo Black; Flowers -V000, V04, V09; Leaves - G40, G82, G85, G94; Root - E31   
Accessories:  Thistle Stickles, Kaiser Rhinestones in Lilac 
Techniques:  Copic Markers

17 comments:

Chris said...

I am no expert but I love how your coloring turned out! The more you do .. the more fun it is! I love your card!!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Hi Donna
I can't believe all the techniques you are able to teach yourself!
This card is awesome, card making involves being an artist as you've demonstrated here.
Thanks for sharing.
Judith

Becky said...

This is gorgeous Donna.. Looks good to me, heck I started using copics last year and I am still learning :)

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi Donna: Your cards are beautiful. I just love how you are learning these new things. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha

KarinsArtScrap said...

hi donna, love your card, but in the center of the flower and leaves it could be darker and than get lighter to the edges.
You start with the lightist color that some darker, darker, darkst.
don't get with your lightist color all the way to the edges but leave a little from it.
and than with your darker color again not al the way over the lightist.
if you have don tree or more colors go with your lightist color over all the colors.
hope you understand it a little bit and help you with it.
i'm still learning too.
if you have questions ask me.

greetings karin

Linda said...

I honestly think you did a fantastic job with your violets... they're beautiful.
In your previous post I love your garden path with your little concrete cats.
This is the first time I've visited your blog. I'll be back.
Oh and I'd love you to stop in and visit me I'm having a month long giveaway...I'd love for you to join in.
Blessings, L

Bea said...

Very Nice Donna!!

Gisèle said...

What a beautiful card for your very first Copic, and self-taught! I don't have any tips to share with you. I do enjoy your work and your blog. I would like to relax in your garden today :)

Alicia @ Sweet Ava Kate said...

Hi Donna! I'm glad I was able to introduce you to Pinterest! It is a wonderful way to organize everything that inspires you! You can go to www.pinterest.com/aarmstrong to follow my pins and create your own.
I've just become a recent follower of yours, as you have inspired me to play with my stamps again! :) Thanks for your sweet comments and hope to have you as a follower. Have a great day!

Sherry Kushibab said...

Donna, don't stop with the Copics....for a first you did great. I am a believer that less is better when I get my Copics out - and a colorless blender can help a lot. There are some great tutorials on line (Dana as well as the Copic blog). I bought my first markers and was afraid to use them forever and then dove in and haven't looked back. I knew once I started with them I would only want more, so I am very choosey as I grow my color palette. Have learned the importance of the Warm colors for lots of things like wood, hair, snowmen, etc...I also purchased the book that recently came out on light sources as it helps give more depth to pieces when you keep the light source in mind. Looking forward to seeing more pieces as you experiment. Hugs

Pam~ said...

I think you've done very well, Donna! Your card is beautiful! I bought Prismacolor Markers instead of Copics ... huge price difference. But from everything I've read, Copics is the way to go. Keep coloring ... looks great!

The Mama Monkey said...

Oh I love my Copics! You will too! I find I do better with colors in the same numeric area...like 40, 42. 46...then blend over the top with the lightest marker when you are done. But I start with my light and work up shading where I want it. I have not taken a class, just what I found worked for me. :) There are videos on You Tube...

Jennipher said...

Donna, I love your card. I think you did well for a first time with copics. I'm no expert with those things either. You asked if we used Ciao markers and I can honestly tell you that have a few sketch and mostly Ciao. If you were wondering if the Ciao nibs were smaller for those little areas, they are not. The nibs are exactly the same size. The copic original marker does come with a a small bullet shaped nib. I have found this blog to be really helpful and informative with copics...http://ilikemarkers.blogspot.com/
Hope you will find it helpful today. Your card is gorgeous!

Rhonda Langley said...

Beautiful! I love your coloring! I have never tried Copics-not sure I could do as well as you even if I took classes.

Carrie Sampsel said...

This is very beautiful card and I think your coloring is fabulous with the markers!!

Polished Moxie said...

Lovely card. You should definitely continue on with your markers.

gale said...

Beautiful card. I don't find that the ciao and sketch are any different when coloring.