Stamp Spotlight - Wagon Wishes with a focus on Copics

Its Tuesday again, which means its me (Katie) here to greet you.  I hope your morning and week are going well for you.  Today's focus is going to be on a fabulous stamp set called Wagon Wishes as well as more of an insight on Copics versus a tutorial about them.  Read on and you'll understand what I mean.

So lets take a look at the stamp set first.  This set retails for only $14.99 and includes a whopping 20 stamps of images and sentiments.  I personally feel that this set is going to give you a whole lot of bang for the buck.  Just about every season and/or holiday is included here.

So what you will see are 3 sample cards that I made using this very set as well as how I colored in my images. 

I have the complete set of Copic Ciaos which you can find at Clear Dollar Stamps webstore.  I honestly feel that if you are going to go that route then you need more than just a handful.  I will also tell you that I chose the Ciaos because they are cheaper in price, but they are essentially the same marker as the Sketch marker.  If you are interested in in depth tutorials and information please go check out Marianne's blog called ilikemarkers.  She is definitely the ultimate Copic guru and go to for all the information.

So, like I said earlier, this isn't necessarily a tutorial on how to use the Copic markers, but rather I want to show you that its OK TO JUST COLOR with your markers.  Of course, I want to always improve my coloring skills, but in all honesty I will never be a master.  I too read all the tutorials and look at beautiful samples and do my best with shading, blending, shadowing, highlighting, mixing, and try to create the most realistic depiction of my images, but in the end I want my images to look professional, clean and colored nicely.

I feel that the Copic markers themselves help to achieve that without necessarily having all the know how of those magic words I used above.  They leave a streak free and even coating of color that in the end provides a well colored image.  I love the intensity and deepness of the colors whether they are light or dark.

Ok, what a lot of blabber huh?  Let me get on with the pretty stuff. This first card I am showing you is all girly.  I had to start with that since {Heart} day is just around the corner.  I'll show you my finished card and then show you a blow by blow of how I "just colored" my images.  The base of this card was created using a new set of nesties that I recieved just the other day from CDstamps.  I love it!  I cut the card with the largest die in white and then cut the same size out of the new Basic Grey Bittersweet for the top layer.  The heart was cut from my cricut and the ribbon can be found at the store too.  I added a lot of stitching to this card as well.

 Now here is my coloring process.   I first stamp my image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I never use anything else but that when using my Copics because it doesn't bleed. 

I also want you to know that I use cheap white cardstock.  Most of my coloring is done on Georgia Pacific that I purchase at Walmart, but I also use Papertrey ink white and I believe that Lori is looking into getting the white Neenah cardstock. 

This picture is of one "coat" of coloring.  You can tell that there isn't quite enough coverage to make my wagon nice and even.

This particular shot used the flash so it is a bit more washed out looking than my other photos will be.

Here it is with the 2nd "coat".  Now if you notice there appears to be a "natural" textured look to the wagon.  This is due to the paper I use and the results will differ depending on your cardstock.  It is also a personal preference as to whether you like that look or not. 

I don't know, I could be a weirdo or just not have an "artist's" eye, but I like it :)

I've used a different marker for the wheels just to get some contrast. 

I only colored once with no accenting or accentuating.

Here I used a grey to represent metal on the handle and joint.  Just a once over again.

Then I added the hearts to my wagon.  This is of course where this stamp set shines - there are such a variety of images to add to the wagon that will fit a number of purposes.  The wagon also allows for other Clear Dollar Stamps to be added to the bed.  Really limitless possiblities.

Ok, first heart colored - just one coat - nothing special at all.

Continuing to do one "coat" coloring

At this point, I chose a different pink marker to provide contrast to the remaining hearts.  You are seeing another one coat coloring.

Here is a picture of the 2nd coat of coloring.  As you can see the color has intensified compared to the above picture. 

One thing to keep in mind is that to get a true representation of a color you have to get several layers of color onto your paper. 

This does make it nice though because you can in essence create 2 to 3 shades just from one marker.  This is where your shading comes into play if you wanted to go that route.

But remember, for today's purposes we want to keep things simple and fast.

Here it is all finished and my point is: Don't be afraid of Copics.  Yes, they are a financial investment, but they are a great medium to use even in the most simplest terms.   And along with your monetary investment you also get an artistic investment too.  There is a lot to be done with these markers, but you don't have to start out "good" and to be honest, you don't have to go "there" at all - ever if you don't want to. 

I do want to make a note here though saying that I personally have no experience with any of the other similar types of markers out there ( as in cost wise).  I chose these because I didn't have anything at the time that was comparable and I did want to color in my images.

Another card example here.  I love this little snowman.  Christmas is over, but Winter is definitely not!

Another great simple way to use these markers especially the lightest of the colors is to do a simple outline or in this case an in line.  I don't even know if that is a real term (lol).  Its the essence of color I guess.

Here I based my color choices on the background color of my designer paper - ala Basic Grey.

And once again, just simple fill in coloring.

Final card.  If you notice, this little guy didn't even need to be in the wagon to use.  Gotta love versatility.  Accented him with some oval nestabilities and some buttons from my stash

And one last one for you.  Here I went with a festive Independence Day theme, but change up the colors and you could have a festive birthday theme :)

Again, 2 rounds with the wagon section and just a once over for the rest.

I used Close to my Heart papers for this one and another set of nestabilities to frame the wagon.  And even another variation on the wagon.  I didn't even add the handle this time around.

So in conclusion, if you think you would like markers to color in some of your stamp images don't let the word Copics scare you.  They are a wonderful coloring medium no matter what skill level you are.  Practice always makes things easier.  Clear Dollar Stamps has many, many sets that are a blast to color inside, outside, and around the lines. 

Stay tuned for next week where I'll be showing you how I use watercolor pencils to color in some great Clear Dollar Stamps.  So until then, remember... JUST COLOR and have FUN!

Signing off for Clearly iStamp,

~Katie

Comments

[Katie]

Hi Kelsie!

If you haven't gotten the answer yet. Here it is: Yeah for us - it doesn't matter which way you store your Copics - Up or Down - whichever suits your organization style :)

-Katie

[Kelsie-girl]

Great tutorial! One little question.....how should these markers be stored? vertical or horizontal? Thanks!

[Shell]

Great overview on the Copics!! I got 2 of the sets from CDS for Christmas and ordered the other 4 sets with Christmas money the next week. I love them, but hated that I got a few duplicates. Now, I need more Copics .... just because. :) Thanks for the overview and the adorable use of the stamp set!!

[Karinn]

Great tutorial, thank you! And thanks for more ideas on how to use this wonderfully huge stamp set. I have it and love it, and I really love the cards you made with it :0)

Thanks!

[Joan Ervin]

What a wonderful tutorial, Katie....thanks for all the useful info!!! I love your cards, too...AWESOME work!!!

[Monique]

Very nicely done Katie! I'm so glad you gave this tutorial and clearly stated that Copics ARE for EVERYONE. You certainly do not need to be a pro to have good ole' fashion fun colouring ... cuz I LOVE to colour, even with my Copics. I love unlimited possibilities that set has to offer, and by the way ... your cards are great as usual!

[Judy]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! What a GREAT tutorial. I have many of the Copic markers and am leary about using them, because I know that my cards won't look as good as others who use them. You just made me realize that it is o.k. that my cards won't look as good as the others ... the ones I make them for will appreciate them.

I also wanted to note that this blog is AWESOME!! I am a beginner, and you can't even begin to understand how helpful the information you provide is. Without today's tutorial, I wouldn't even have considered this stamp set, because I would have thought it would be too difficult for me to use (yeah, I am a REAL NEWBIE at this ~ smile). Now, I've added it to my wish list, because with your inspiration, I can see a whole realm of possibilities.

I know it is time consuming, but I hope that you continue to provide tutorials at this level. There are literally dozens of stamp sets at CD Stamps that I want, but figure I am too much of a novice to use them. Now, I am beginning to see it differently ... :)

Thanks again!! Sorry to be so long-winded, but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your blog!!

[Candyf]

Another great tutorial. This set is great for all occasions. Love the cards that you designed!

Candy

[Becky Sorensen]

This is pretty cool. I need to borrow that stamp set!! lol

Thanks for all your hardwork - you always inspire me!

[Tracey]

Thank you so much for this Katie!! I have some of the CIao markers and am slowly building my collection. I have been a little scared of the markers as well since I 'just colour' too! It's nice to know I am not the only one out there!!

Fantastic cards by the way!!