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. Jo says:

    Such a great new technique and I love it! I would never have thought to color outside the image! Great one Jennifer! Thanks for sharing. My favorite “go to” medium is copic markers!
    Hugs,
    Jo
    xox

  2. Wanda Reynolds says:

    You are such a great teacher with inspiring ideas! Love the sparkles tool I would love to use oe of the new stamp sets!

  3. em says:

    I use a variety of markers but the distress inks in all their forms seem to have a prominent place on my work table.

  4. suespeigner says:

    Jennifer thank you for sharing your wonderful talent again. These were just beautiful!! I have placed my order but the Peony one is out of stock….ugh!! I left a note for them to let me know when they are back….lol

  5. Louise says:

    Copics are favorite coloring medium.

  6. Becky Kinsinger says:

    Love this technique. Since we are snowed in today, it was the perfect time to try it out!

  7. howlin says:

    I’ve been dabbling in all kinds of different coloring mediums…lots to learn and even more patience is greatly needed. I most definitely need to do the 30 day challenge. Want to say, “Thank You” for all the technique videos and inspiration.

  8. Myrle Chisholm says:

    As usual, beautiful! Love all of these idea, techniques and cards. Thank you for sharing.

  9. Barb says:

    Jennifer….am new to your posts and videos. Don’t know how I missed them, but, am excited about all of them and your reviews. Thank You !

  10. Laura says:

    My favorite way of adding color is with Distress Inks. I love the colors and they are so blendable and vibrant!

  11. Bernice Pierre says:

    I never thought about negative space coloring and I will have to try it! My favorite coloring mediums are either markers or colored pencils.

  12. Carina Nilp says:

    I love colouring with watercolour or pencils.

  13. Harriet Skelly says:

    Love this video! I don’t really have a go to coloring medium – I am all over the map with Copics, water color paint, markers, etc!

  14. janlm says:

    Wow! Beautiful cards. Loving this negative space technique and the beautiful Altenew stamp sets! My face is Copics and/or pencil crayons. Thank-you so much for this wonderful video.

  15. Anastasia says:

    Great idea Jennifer!
    At the moment I’m using distress inks as my main colouring medium but I can’t wait to try copics. Just trying to save for them as they’re a little pricey and not very easy to find in Australia!

  16. Jayell says:

    I love the Zig clean color real brush markers, wet or dry they are fabulous.

  17. Vicki Smith says:

    This technique and the beauty of your cards is one of my favorites and I can’t wait to try it. Yes, I would LOVE to win this stamp set and you are a sweetheart!

  18. Marcy says:

    Distress would be my first choice – then watercolor schmooching – I like what you did on the copics though – never thought of that, and god points on the potential problems. An easy work around is always appreciated. Wonderful inspirations – as always!

  19. Nancy W says:

    I must say I love copic coloring without streaking.! Of course, watercolors and using the Distress Inks for coloring run for tie after copics.

  20. Megan Harp says:

    Copics are my current favorite. Love your videos!!!

  21. Cathy Homan says:

    Mostly alcohol markers (Spectrum Noir, some Copics, Sharpies).

  22. Ashlee says:

    Great video and tips!! I use my Spectrum Noir markers all the time:)

  23. Kathryn M says:

    I have the most luck with distress inks but I am trying watercoloring.

  24. Kona Rose says:

    Thanks Jennifer! You have such clever and gorgeous techniques! Also thank you for the links for the discount code. I would love to take the watercolor intermediate class. With Aloha ?

  25. Lesliediana says:

    Every time I look at your videos and creations, I admire that there are such nice sharing talented people in this world. Thanks.

  26. Elizabeth Davey says:

    I never thought of doing this before – now I can’t wait to try it on cards and scrap layouts.

    Go to colouring medium – inks

  27. Patti. G says:

    I have been trying out Zig Clean markers for coloring stamps.

  28. Kris B says:

    Wonderful cards! What a fresh look! Thanks for the video! Right now I am in a water color phase, so must of my coloring is done using Distress inks and a water brush or my new water colors.

  29. Kathryn A says:

    Wow! This is a really striking technique! Thanks for the inspiration! Oh, and this stamp set is on my wish list. Thanks for the chance to win it!

  30. Debbie Peysen says:

    Distress ink pads and markers are my favorite. Thanks for such a great idea.

  31. I love using distress inks for backgrounds so I LOVE your card with distress inks the best! All of them are just beautiful!

  32. Michelle S says:

    Thanks again for a new technique. My go to coloring medium is copic markers.

  33. Linda Langes says:

    Love that idea as another way to feature certain parts of an image – thanks Jennifer!

  34. jengd says:

    Gorgeous cards! Yet another thing I’ll have to give a try!

  35. Susan Egan says:

    Another great video. My go to would be watercolors if I was better with them. I get closer to the look I want with watercolor pencils, so far. I’m still learning and practicing.

  36. Nadinebd says:

    Due to educational videos, like yours, I enjoy using so many coloring methods…..pencils, watercolors, distress markers & blocks everything I can try.

  37. I hate the title of this tip or style — has such a negative connotation when the affect is actually pretty great!

  38. Char says:

    I like the distress markers best for coloring, but now water colors are closing in on that medium. So much fun to color no matter how you do it!

  39. Janet Cobb says:

    My go to is my Spectrum Noir markers. Although I do like watercolors & watercolor pencils.

  40. Rushd Lady says:

    I like the idea of this technique and may have to try it when, at the end of this challenge, my inspiration gets to flagging! At the moment I am using coloring pencils, but also like watercolor, inks, acrylic paint, and watercolor based markers (don’t own any copics).

  41. Marcia says:

    I used to always grab my Zig Clean Color Markers but after taking the OCC Watercolor class last week, I’m really enjoying playing with the DaVinci tubes I got.

  42. Susan B. says:

    Hi Jennifer,

    I’m not sure I have a favorite medium for coloring. What I use depends on the look I’m going for. But, lately I’ve been really into watercolor. I took my Peerless water colors on my beach vacation and found them really portable and fun. I love their vibrant color! I just signed up dorm the intermediate watercolor for cards class. Can’t wait to begin.

    Thanks,
    Susan

  43. Jessica Stull says:

    These cards are so simple but beautiful!! I love this technique. So far I’m using distress inks for coloring. I want to try Copics, I just have to start collecting some colors.

  44. Harriet says:

    Wow, Jennifer, an excellent idea and thanks for the video.

  45. Cyndie says:

    Cool technique! I think it would work great with watercoloring, which is my current favorite medium.

  46. Harriet says:

    Sorry, I forgot, watercolor and copics.

  47. Leola M Johnston says:

    Thanks so much for sharing your talents and others with us. Now to sit down and DO IT!

  48. Carolyn says:

    Talk about a color pop! Bam!

  49. diana says:

    Great cards and technique video!
    Distress inks are my favorite coloring medium – stamping, blending, watercoloring, … 😉

  50. Gracie G says:

    Copics. It used to be watercolour pencils but since I started collecting my copics, they are what I love to use.

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