Negative Space Coloring + Hop + Giveaway

Welcome! Today’s video is all about negative space coloring — a great technique for getting new looks from your outline images. I am also part of a fun hop for a great new coloring challenge.

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[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Affiliate links used. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

Coloring negative space is a great I-don’t-have-to-think-too-much-or-work-to-hard-to-get-good-results technique. I decided to use the new and gorgeous Altenew Botanical Garden and Peony Bouquet stamp sets. (To see a video showing a close look at the other new Altenew stamps, head HERE.)

I share two ways of doing this negative space coloring. The first is with Copics.

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I don’t like to use my Copic Markers up against a heat embossed image. (Two reasons: 1. I don’t want want to ruin the tip of my Copics and in the past I did have embossing powder discolor the tips. Be sure to test first. 2. I don’t want my markers to color the embossing powder – I want it to stay true.) To avoid the contact, I first stamped the flowers with a super light Copic-friendly ink (My Favorite Things Grout Gray Hybrid) and then created a blended background of coloring. After doing this, I stamped the image again in the same spot with Versamark and heat embossed with sparkling powder.

Since I used the MISTI Stamping Tool, it was easy to stamp the image in the exact same place on top using VersaMark ink. However, if you don’t have the MISTI, you could look carefully though your block to line it up.

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On this one I also added some Wink of Stella to the background for a bit of shine…

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A second way to achieve a similar look is to use Distress Ink for the background. I created a mask and placed it on top of the stamped floral image… and then used an Ink Blending Tool and three colors of Distress Inks over the whole piece. The key to getting good coverage is to blend well and overlap the colors.

Instead of using a plain mat under my colored pieces, I die cut pieces with the Memory Box Postage Layer dies. I just adore the look of those detailed edges!

On some of my cards, I heat embossed the Altenew Painted Greetings directly on the colored backgrounds. On others, I stamped an Altenew You Are sentiment underneath using a T-Ruler. (I highly recommend having a T-Ruler in your supplies. It’s inexpensive and helps keep everything centered and straight.)

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I hope this inspires you to try some negative space coloring.

BLOG HOP

Today I am part of a blog hop celebrating the kick-off of Kathy Racoosin’s 30-Day Coloring Challenge. I am proud to call Kathy my friend and am continually amazed by her coloring talent. She has really done a great job bringing the industry together for this challenge. The point of the challenge is to simply color a little (or a lot!) each day for 30 days. Be sure to use the hashtag #TheDailyMarker30Day.

chall

The next stop on the hop is the blog of my favorite gal, Kristina Werner! She will knock your socks off – I am sure.

GIVEAWAYS & DISCOUNT CODE

Like the Altenew Botanical Garden stamp set I used in this video? Here is your chance to win it! For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 2/10/16 telling me your go-to coloring medium. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)

Also be sure to head to Kathy’s blog for a chance to win one of four spots in an Online Card Class.

In celebration of the 30-Day Coloring Challenge, Online Card Classes is giving a one-time coupon code for $5.00 off Copic Markers for Card Makers  and/or for the Watercolor for Card Makers class. Both class will help build up your confidence when coloring. You can get the code HERE at Kathy’s blog.

SUPPLIES

Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those with an asterisk.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), Amazon (AZ), etc.


Leave a Comment

756 thoughts on “Negative Space Coloring + Hop + Giveaway”

  1. Colleen says:

    I usually use Distress Inks when coloring, but I have been trying watercolors and really like what I am creating.

  2. Colleen says:

    Amazing technique! Love this card! My favorite coloring medium are my Copics. Coloring with them always brings me to my happy place! Thanks for a chance to win!

  3. Vicky says:

    I don’t know what my go to medium would be. I’m still new enough at this that I’m constantly trying different mediums. I think I just need to get good enough at one. Practice, practice. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I absolutely love altenew products.

  4. Kristy Tyra says:

    The negative space coloring looks beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever thought to do that. My “go to” coloring medium is definitely my Prismacolor pencils. My second one would have to be their (and a few others) watercolor pencils.

  5. Cindy C. says:

    Charming cards!! Thanks for sharing this fun technique!!

  6. Becky Johnson says:

    love all the various ways to color!

  7. Carol Perry says:

    It’s amazing to me how you keep coming up with new ideas for cards. Love this process and it looks pretty non complicated which is right up my alley. I don’t really have a favorite medium but as of late, still trying to brush up on blending with my copics/coloring book. Practice Practice and more practice right?

  8. Diane Hanson says:

    Your cards are so-o-o pretty! The new Altenew stamp release has blown me over with the versatile images and varied possibilities. Your cards are fresh and eye-popping and it seems quite easy to accomplish. I will try this once I complete the online cards class in Intermediate watercoloring!

  9. SuzanD says:

    Love this technique… Can’t wait to try it. I usually use Copic Markers f or my colouring.

  10. Laura Beck says:

    I LOVE these cards! The colors are beautiful with the pop of gold or silver and the white background. The postage stamp die really adds to the card as well. Will definitely try this technique. Thanks for the chance to win an Altenew stamp!

  11. Michelle t says:

    Beautiful cards! I love to watercolor on my layouts and cards with Distress Inks or my small watercolors set. Thanks very much for a chance to win. Michelle t

  12. SentSue says:

    Lately Distress Inks. I love this technique and can’t wait to try it.

  13. Your cards are just beautiful, so colorful and happy! I love coloring with my Spectrum Noir markers but I am also enjoying watercolors because you can have a soft or intense color that flows together beautifully. Enjoying your wonderful tutorials, thank you for sharing them with us!
    Pam
    scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

  14. barb macaskill says:

    GOrgeous cards! My go to coloring medium is watercolor!! TFS!

  15. Peggy Pride says:

    The cards are outstanding. You are amazing! I love the Altenew collections. I have many and can’t wait to use these techniques. Take care and have a great day!!!

  16. Linda R says:

    Another great technique .My go to coloring is distress ink.

  17. Susan G says:

    I really like the look of the colored background. Very interesting. My go-to depends on the stamp, my mood, what look I’m going for. Could be Distress, copics, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, Tombow markers, etc. so many fun ways to add color.

  18. Judy M says:

    How beautiful! My go-to coloring is distress inks (a must-have, for sure). My go-to for adult coloring books is Prismacolor pencils and blending with baby oil (the toxicity of Gamsol and my special needs son= bad). I will definitely try this negative space look. Thanks for the idea 🙂

  19. valerie wood says:

    These cards are so pretty! I can’t wait to try this technique. I will try it with Distress inks as I don’t have any copics. Thanks again for the inspiration.

  20. Gorgeous cards! So elegant! My go to coloring mediums have to be Copics. Love em! tfs and a chance to win! Hugs, Kristina

  21. This is such a fun idea! Definitely going to have to give it a try later! And my favorite medium is Copics. Watercolors still scare me, but I’m learning to love them.

  22. Randee S says:

    Love your cards and the negative space coloring concept. Will have to try it. I seem to reach for my Distress Inks the most. TFS

  23. Dee says:

    Well I guess Copic ciao but also distress inks as it depends on what I am creating just like you say some mediums work better in certain situations than others but I would never have thought to use copics as a background :). Thanks for the tips. I have not been able to get any of the layering sets from altenew as importation to Sweden is rediculously expensive but have been checking them out :). I love the pionies you used though, they remind me of my childhood! Thanks

  24. Angela E says:

    Lovely cards! Easy to mass produce and a huge “WOW” factor. I use distress inks and a blender pen to color.

  25. Cyndi Morris says:

    I think my most used coloring technique is Distress Inks. I love that I can use them for blending, watercoloring techniques, etc. You inspire me to try new things.

  26. LauraR says:

    I don’t have any copic markers… yet! Someday I’m going to save up enough to get some. Until then, I’m taking this idea and rolling with my watercolors! Thanks!

  27. Laura P. says:

    Hi Jennifer, what striking cards! My favorite coloring medium at the moment is distress inks, thanks to you amd Kathy! I never tried them until I started following your blog and Kathy’s 30 day challenges!

  28. Lindsay Sherwood says:

    I’m just getting into Distress inks for coloring. Before that I used colored pencils and chalk. Love the negative space idea – I’m so “in the box” I would never have thought of this. We’re always taught to color inside the lines!

  29. Andrea A says:

    I love this Altenew release. Thanks for the great techniques on using negative space!

  30. mheringer says:

    Beautiful creations! My go to for coloring has been my Stampin’ Up! markers with aqua painter. I’ve recently purchased a bunch of Copic markers. I have a lot to learn and your blog is very helpful!

  31. Betty says:

    love this technique and am definitely going to give it a try – right now my favorite coloring medium is my Zig markers – thanks for all your great ideas and tips

  32. Donna Baker says:

    Thank you Jennifer , for another great video. I use colored pencils and watercolor for my medium

  33. Sandra F says:

    Awesome cards..I love my copics and watercolor pencils for coloring.

  34. TraciB says:

    Gorgeous! And they make quickly which is also an advantage. THIS week, I’m using my watercolors a lot. But it changes from day to day….

  35. Elaine says:

    I like colored pencils or Copic markers to color my images.

  36. Valerie Marcus says:

    My favorite go to coloring medium at the moment is colored pencils. I love to blend them with Gamsol.
    Valerie

  37. Angie Hall says:

    I have a few Zig color brush markers that I’m using some these days. I also use distress markers and some Bic alcohol markers. I’m also trying water coloring too. I admire you and others for their Copic skills but they are not my cup of tea. I’m going to try todays technique soon. As always you give us new tricks to try. Thanks, Jennifer.

  38. Linda Duensing says:

    Beautiful cards and love the negative space technique. I will certainly give it a try. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda D.

  39. Shelly Sweigart says:

    What a great technique! I love getting more mileage from my stamps! I love having another use for my Copics and MISTI too! Thanks for helping me with my New Year’s resolution to use my stuff instead of buying more! You are sooo inspiring! Thanks also for the opportunity to win!

  40. Shelli says:

    Love these cards! Great ideas! Thanks again!!! I think my go to is colored pencils because I have not quite gotten the marker perfected and not confident enough for water color but am really going to try more of them!

  41. Eveline says:

    What a great technique! I love the result.

  42. StampinLouie says:

    Love love love your videos Jennifer. Thanks for sharing. My go to coloring choice is Copics for sure.

  43. Mybonnetbee says:

    Wow! What a beautiful technique! I love this new collection! My favourite medium is Distress ink, but I also like very much the Chameleon pens 🙂

  44. September says:

    You are da bomb! This technique totally solves that “where do the shadows go” dilemma some of us struggle with and looks fabulous to boot. My go to for coloring is colored pencils because I find them easier to blend and more forgiving than my alcohol markers but I will definitely be dragging them out to try this.

  45. Snow says:

    I love using my coloured pencils, dabbing into some watercolouring every now and then, dont own any permanent markers yet!

  46. Essaying says:

    Love the intensity of the color. Amazing!

  47. Leen Mas says:

    Beautiful and elegant cards! My go-to coloring medium is copics!

  48. Toni says:

    I really liked this negative color technique. I recently re-discover my stash of twinkling H2O’s so I have be using them on many projects – like the shimmer.

  49. Denise Bryant says:

    These are gorgeous! Love the beautiful stamp set you used… my favorite of the new release!
    I am loving using the Zig markers at the moment! Just bought 4 more at my local craft store!

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