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.

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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. Candy B says:

    Gorgeous cards & lots of great tips, thank you! I just love Altenew’s layering flowers but what a great way to also use the stamps. I haven’t yet purchased any Copics but use Zig and Tombow markers for bright coloring. For softer looks I use Prismacolor pencils.

  2. Ina says:

    As usual I love your cards and I will try this technique. I’ll probably go with distress inks as my ability with copic coloring needs practice. Thank you so much.

  3. Barbara Lambing says:

    Lovely cards and idea Jennifer. My favorite coloring medium is Copic Markers–and I want to try this with watercolors too (they are my second favorite).

  4. Sue says:

    would love this stamp set, just love Altenew stamps. My favorite coloring media right now is colored pencils, I am addicted to the Adult coloring and have been coloring the Calendar “Secret Garden”

  5. debbie26111 says:

    As always I love your cards, and am so going to try doing it this way.

  6. 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! Oops forgot to add my coloring medium! I do have Copics but find them soo time consuming so I’d like to try some watercoloring or colored pencils soon.

  7. debbie26111 says:

    My go color medium right now is distress markers!

  8. Heidi says:

    Hi, I like the Zig Real Brush Markers te best, they are so vived in colour. I live in the Netherlands and I had to buy them for Ebay UK to get my hands on them, but they are so worth it!

  9. Arlys says:

    Copics are my go to, want to purchase distress inks, and love the postage dies. Looks like I will be spending some money!

  10. Mindy Baxter says:

    Great card and technique! My go to coloring medium would have to be my Copics! I ♥ my Copics!!!

  11. Oliev says:

    Great cards and lots of tips, thanks! I’m learning to color with pencils atm:-)

  12. Saundra Rega says:

    Your cards are stunning, Jennifer! I love learning new techniques. Thanks for sharing!

  13. RedGem says:

    Wow… as usual you amaze me! It is a great technique and you’re a dear to share with us! Love coming to your blog to look for new techniques and great inspiration!

  14. Liddia says:

    My go to coloring medium is colored pencils. The copic markers are a little out of my price range. I also like distress inks.

  15. Avrawill says:

    My go to coloring medium is my Promarkers! I love this stamp set!

  16. Stacy Jones says:

    I learn so much from you! I am going to try this technique, love it. My coloring medium is copics.

  17. Tema says:

    Thanks for the inspirationLately,I have been using watercolor pencils or T H distress ink pads.

  18. Marianne C says:

    Thanks for sharing the great technique tips. The results are gorgeous.

  19. Jan O says:

    Wonderful cards! Thanks for the video and reasons to be leery about using Copics after embossing! Fabulous inspirationa and prizes on the blog hop!

  20. Kari T says:

    Beautiful cards! I love Distress Inks as they are the most versatile medium. Thanks for the video!

  21. Marianne C says:

    I forgot to share my favourite colouring medium…distress markers and then copies. Markers because I like the versatility you can getby using water.

  22. Cerlyne says:

    I love all of your card designs. I especially enjoy when you show different techniques

  23. Andressa says:

    I like many different coloring mediums but right now I am really enjoying using Inka Gold on my cards 🙂

  24. Rebecca says:

    My favorite coloring mediums are my colored pencils and my copics, although I don’t have many copics yet.

  25. Pat V says:

    Thanks for the great idea! I can’t wait to try it tonight with my Copic and Distress ink. Thanks for the tip about not coloring Copic over embossing powder. Did not know that!

  26. Annye says:

    Love love love this video and stamps. Thanks so much for sharing!

  27. Greta H says:

    Every time I watch one of your videos it becomes my favorite! LOVE this technique!

  28. Cerlyne says:

    I forgot to mention my favorite coloring medium….currently I’m liking the Koi, Tombow and Zig Clean markers

  29. Marise Nyberg says:

    My go to colour medium is and will always be my trusty Distress Inks. They work so well with watercolour paper and the lovely reaction to water splashes make them unbeatable! Thank you for yet another fabulous project.

  30. Nancy Ward says:

    All your examples are just stunning, Jennifer! The color really makes the image pop. It reminds me of fabric. Beautiful!

  31. Judy Estrada says:

    I love the look of these cards. These are beautiful cards! I like them with the colored backgrounds. Thank you for sharing the tips & techniques with us.

  32. Rosemary says:

    Thank you for the new technique. I love my Distress inks because I use them for so many things. Plus I can buy the mini cubes to see if I like the colors. before investing in the big pads.

  33. Christine says:

    i just can’t stop using distress inks!

  34. Sharon Jones says:

    I use copics and distress inks the most. Love your cards and this technique. You always have great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

  35. Karen Buchanan says:

    My favorite color mediums are watercolor pencils and now liquid pearls. I love the color vibrancy with the liquid pearls and the ease of use. I have just this past week found your youtube channel and have been an avid watcher. I love your cards and teaching style. I look forward to seeing more and trying out your techniques!

  36. Marianne Jakobsen says:

    Your cards are amazing…. again ?. I have never thought of using negative space like that.
    My favourite colormedium is Distress inks. I do not really have anything else because I am still quite new at this. My intention is to buy Inktense pencils in the near future because I think I will love them ?.

  37. Mary Holshouser says:

    I’m in a rut and use the stamp inks mostly.
    I do like the Tombow dual brush pens.
    I use them more than the copics or other pens I have.
    The cards are beautiful. The flower pops off the card.
    Great technique that I have to try.
    thanks for sharing.

  38. Cynthia says:

    Jennifer, I am always amazed by your card making ideas. I’m new to card making and often struggle for ideas. Your videos always give me inspiration. Thanks so much!

  39. Lee Anne says:

    My go to coloring medium has been distress markers, but my new Zig Clean Color brush pens arrive tomorrow! I can’t wait!

  40. Kathy Thisted says:

    Love your video! It never occurred to me to color the negative space. you have inspired me to try it out today. thanks

  41. Julie says:

    I like colored pencils at the moment…thanks for another great video!

  42. Cynthia says:

    I forgot to share my favorite medium…my go to for color are distress inks. I’m also getting more comfortable with copics . Thanks so much for this video.

  43. Sheri K says:

    Beautiful cards–I may use this technique to make cards for the Lasting hearts drive, have to get to those soon. This would be a beautiful design to use. I don’t have one standard go to coloring method–depends on the look I want for the card and what I know fits best with the person I’m giving it to. I love watercolor look–just received the Ziggies (as Laura calls them) for Christmas, so they are my favorite now. But just least night I used distress markers to add detail to 3D flowers. I also like Derwent colorsoft pencils and of course copics–love them all. Thanks for chance to win and another great video. I always participate in Kathy’s challenge–it’s awesome!

  44. Suzanne Webb says:

    Beautiful cards, and blending with copics. Copics are my go-to coloring method, so I’d like to try creating a card with an outlined image like you did here!

  45. Stef C says:

    Hi! I’m loving watercolor right now, waiting for my very first Distress Inks to come in the mail,pretty sure I will enjoy them ^^ Greetings from Belgium

  46. Jan Martin says:

    This technique makes beautiful cards! Love!

  47. I really like the distress inks for this cards, but let me tell you that the best of the video was the end, the very very end with that special face on it, it’s funny 🙂 🙂 🙂

  48. Jennifer Lubinsky says:

    I love it. Thanks for the tip with embossing and copics. I dint know that.

  49. Miriam Prantner says:

    Love how these turned out! Those Altenew sets are gorgeous!

  50. Nana Griffin says:

    Great video with wonderful information a great looking cards. My go to is the copics markers for coloring.

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