Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Shades of Grey

Hello! Today I am participating in the Odie, But Goodie Blog Hop with the Design Divas.  If you came here from Cathy Edger's blog, then you are in the right place. The hop challenge is to use stamps and supplies that are at least six months old. I pulled out my very first stamp set I illustrated for Gina K, Out West, along with another of my very first sets. I also used a piece of hemp twine, one of the first embellishments I ever bought.

The card is also for the Moxie Fab challenge to use the color grey in an innovative way. I'm not sure this qualifies as innovative, but I decided to make a scene all in grey, then add a splash of color with the boots. Ordinarily, the scene would be the focal point, but doing it all in grey really allows the brown boots to pop.

I have step by step photos below, but first, be sure to check out the next blog on the hop, Brenda Turner.

To start, I stamped the mountain scene, from Happy Camper (Gina K), using Memento London Fog ink.

Stamped it a second time, to create a mountain range.

I added color using my Neutral Copics, starting with N3.

Then added N1.

Using my Jumbo Sponge Dauber, I sponged Memento London Fog Ink for the sky, starting at the edges and working my way in.

Then I used torn sticky notes to mask some rises/shadows in the scene and sponged more Memento London Fog.

Moved the sticky notes and sponged again.

Then I removed the top sticky note and sponged lightly in the white space above.

Then I masked off again with the same sticky notes and sponged more Memento London Fog ink.

I used my N3 Copic to add more shading to the mountain and add some wispy lines and dots for grass & rocks in the foreground.

Used N5 for more shading on the mountain and more lines & dots.

Next, I stamped the cactus, from Out West, using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I stamped off on scratch paper once, first, to make it appear lighter.

I saturated the entire image with N1.

Added N3.

Added N5.

Then added N7.

Next, I stamped the boots, also from Out West, with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and began my coloring with E59.

Added E57.

Filled in most of the bottom section with E35.

Then scrubbed in with my blender pen on the blank areas to let the color bleed in a bit.

Added E19 to the top section.

I decided that was redder than I wanted, so I went over it and blended out a little further with E39.

Added E15 and also remember to add some E59 to the heels.

Then I filled in with E35 and E53.

I went over the heel and sole with N5 to darken them a bit, then used a Memento Rich Cocoa marker, fine tip side to fill in the stitched lines of the boots.

After coloring, I cut out both images.

I layered with Pure Luxury Black Onyx card stock and used a Moonlit Fog card base. I added a hemp twine "rope" and adhered the boots and cactus with Pop Dots. The sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

38 comments:

Angie Williams said...

This is really nice! Thanks so much also for the tutorial!

Auntie Em said...

Love your card! Great pics for the tutorial as well. The rope behind the boots is such a great touch.
Thanks for sharing! :o)

Dawn B. said...

Beautiful card.. I love western themed cards.. Thanks for always sharing your techniques.. Great job here.

Barbara said...

Theresa, this is absolutely amazing!! What a treasure -- it is a piece of ART! And so generous of you to provide the tutorial which was perfectly done.

Barb

Maria Matter said...

Wow, what a dramatic effect with the grey background Theresa! Beautiful card and your coloring, as always is fabulous!!!
hugs & blessings!

Karen (TLgirl353) said...

Theresa You know I am a big fan or yours, and this card is another gorgeous creation! Thank you for sharing your talent!

Payne Holler Cards said...

another knockout!! and this is still one of my fav "go to" sets - i think every male in my family has gotten a card using this set LOL
so glad to see you in Design Divas
hugs
Linda

Heather D. ~ Fresh Brewed Designs said...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH wow this is amazing!!! I love the country scene and how you layered the stamps... added shading. Such an amazing creation. Thanks for the tutorial too. :)

Grace said...

Oh I think it's VERY innovative! I love your western scene and love the tutorial on how you did it! It's totally amazing! Have a great day!
Hugs,
Grace

Vicki Dutcher said...

Love the pop of boots!

Mary G. said...

Beautiful! Thanks for the tutorial!

LindaS said...

I really love all the grey and the pop of the boots. TFS another amazing tutorial.

Jennie said...

Look at the Sponge Queen in action!!! :o) LOVE this Theresa and such a great desin with the twine and boots.

Deb said...

GORGEOUS, Theresa! I love how the colored boots pop off the page against the paler, more neutral background colors. Another FAB tutorial!

Sharri said...

Theresa, This is stunning! I love how the gray background scene lets the boots take center stage! You are a rockstar my friend!

Tenia Nelson said...

What a super awesome card!! LOVE your coloring!!!!

Brenda said...

Love this one Theresa! You always amaze me with your fabulous cards. I happen to know a certain cadet that would love this one to.

Unknown said...

I bow down to you!! Thank YOU so much for the coloring and stamping tutorial. I don't come across real stampers like you online. You know what I mean. Wow!!

Unknown said...

so yes...I'm your new follower!!

Unknown said...

It's innovative to me LOL! WOW thanks for showing how you accomplished this look. I would love to do better scenes, so I'm going to come back and have a better look at your blog later.

redwasher1 said...

Beautiful Theresa!!

Kirei na Kami said...

GORGEOUS!!! I love the beautiful scenery and the wonderful rope detail!! Thank you for the tutorial and all the inspiration!!

Smiles:)
Carolyn

Gina Lindsay said...

This is just beautiful, love all the coloring tips too!

Helen F. said...

Love your fabulous card, Theresa..thanks for the tutorial, it looks easy when YOU do it :o)

Paulette S said...

Theresa,
Your cards are just like Paintings on Canvas! They are so amazing and I'm constantly in awe of how you take stamps, ink and copics to create these wonderful mini works of art. I'm so surprised at how much time people think I've taken when I aqua paint in stamped images, when it's really just playing and not much effort involved. LOL It's my relax time, so I guess I shouldn't be so afraid to make a scene. I bought a couple of bare tree stamps just so I could try and duplicate some of your scenery techniques. I only had 1 art class ever and that was in the 1 year of college I took and it was horrible because I had no idea of how to shade or highlight! Your shading and highlighting are always perfect. Thank you for taking the time to show your tutorials. When Donna Dewberry came out with her One Stroke acrylic painting technique, I knew I had it made (highlighting and shading all in one stroke of the double loaded paint brush). LOL I'm going to come back with my bare trees and give it a go. =D

Linda Anderson said...

Wow, now that is one stunning card partner!!!! Thanks for the step by step coloring instructions too. Looks like I NEED those neutral gray copics too!!!!!

Linda

Karen @ Misplaced Mojo said...

Stunning, as usual! And I would certainly consider that innovative :)

Jan Castle said...

Howdy Partner! Great card...thanks a heap for the tutorial!

jkreucher said...

Hi Theresa, what an amazing card! love how you created this wonderful scene! those boots are fantastic! they have great dimension, shading and highlighting!
lovin this!
Judy

Cathy said...

Hey T, wonderful card as always, You know I love this set and you have created another beauty with it. Hope all has been well with you GF!!!

Lee said...

I don't know how you do it girl....but every time I come here my jaw hits the floor! I never get tired of your amazing creations.....who would have thought gray could be so stunning!!!

A Consuming Passion said...

Your colouring as always is beautiful.......even just using grey!!! Love the splash of colour on the boots and the added twine too!

Cat Tidwell said...

O.M.G. you even make grey look GOOD!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely great card! Love your tutorials. Thank you soo much

Cindy (Stamp With Me Cindy G/Stamping Therapy) said...

Such lovely artistry. Love what you did with those stamps and how your card turned out.

Sharon Harnist said...

What a great mix of inks and Copics, Theresa -- beautiful card!

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Hey Theresa! Thanks for entering the Gray is the New Black challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)

gpassion said...

Très joli et merci pour le partage. Bises