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. c says:

    Gorgeous cards, Jennifer. Right now, I’m loving polychromos pencils…not too messy and they blend wonderfully.
    ~carol

  2. Jacqueline Valade says:

    I generally reach for the Copics. I’ve recently purchased a set of Zig clean color markers but haven’t quite gotten the techniques down yet.

  3. Marilyn C. Lojek says:

    What a great idea! I love using my stamps (a huge investment) in different ways. Thanks for the tip. I like to use watercolor as my go-to medium.

  4. Carolina A says:

    WOW! this cards look awesome! I love the postage look, so cute!
    I like using watercolors the most, even though I’m not that good. I am a bit messy while I paint but I love how gestural the results can be.

  5. Reine says:

    Those peonies are simply beautiful. You inspire me. Thanks for sharing.

  6. Nora says:

    Thank you for this technique!! It looks so FUN and I am going to have to try it!!

  7. Trish says:

    Great video on coloring the negative space. I really love the ease with which you colored all your projects with Copic or distress inks. I’m surprised but I think I like the distress inks best.

  8. Jennifer Hovermale says:

    Currently, my go to coloring medium is colored pencils. This is even though I have Trimcraft markers (similar to Copics). I have watercolors, but am no good at it. I just received a set of Prismacolor pencils, so I’m excited to start using them.

  9. Lisa says:

    Love this idea! My go to coloring medium is distress ink or distress markers. I love the colors they come in and how easily they blend. You can do so many different things with them and get totally different looks spending how they are used.

  10. Karen says:

    For me, the easiest thing to use are colored pencils. Inks and topics are awesome but a bit more difficult.

  11. Martine M. says:

    I use Copic or Distress ink or Tombow depending of the project.
    Thanks for the chance to win the stamps!

  12. ENelson says:

    Another fabulous technique. Thank you for sharing. Wish I had found your posts before buying an electronic cutting machine – your stamping is WAY better!

  13. Christine R says:

    My go to coloring medium is watercolor, pure and simple. I like to mix in watercolor pencils also.

  14. Janelle says:

    FAVORITE?? I’m just starting to color. Got my first package of ZIG Clean Color Markers, and I’m anxious to try them out.

  15. Mariclaudi Benitez says:

    My go to are the Zig Clean Color markers because they can be so easy to blend.

  16. Robin Buchholz says:

    What a beautiful technique! Thanks for the video. I have started to learn how to use Copics but usually use colored pencils.

  17. Sabina says:

    Such a beauitful video. Wow, I love these new stamps by Altenew. I use my copics. Am learning how blend with them.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

  18. Kathy Salido says:

    These cards are absolutely gorgeous!! Love the colors and the embossing

  19. Nancy Lynn Kenny says:

    As always Jennifer lovely cards and looking forward to trying this design of a white focal image surrounded by gorgeous colors! My fav coloring medium is most definitely Copics! TFS

  20. Kathy W says:

    I have been using Distress Inks for coloring but am interested in trying the ZIG Clean Color Markers next!

  21. Clemencia says:

    I would have to say watercolor pencils, love your technique, super awesome 🙂

  22. Celeste H says:

    I have not been able to put my Zig Clean Color markers down since it got them. They are fantastic!!

  23. Carey Nusbaum says:

    I use Chameleon Pens! Love them!

  24. Karen Lai says:

    Great technique tip! My fav mediums definitely the distress inks and peerless!

  25. Amrita says:

    Beautiful technique and lovely cards! My go-to coloring medium is Copics. Thanks for the OCC discount code! I love the Copic Class, but haven’t taken the watercolor one yet!

  26. Kristen L says:

    I LOVE these cards!
    I mainly use brush markers right now (that’s what I own), but I’m starting to branch out into distress inks.

  27. Cathy says:

    I’ve recently rediscovered my Lyra watercolour crayons and find myself using them alot, both to colour in images and to colour directly on the stamp and then spritzing with water before stamping. I love the look you get.

  28. Kim Badelt says:

    My favourite would have to be copics. It takes time to get the blending right but that is part of the joy of it! Thanks for the video – negative colouring is a great idea and one I will try out for sure!

  29. Tammief says:

    My go-to coloring technique is coloring with Copic or Tombow markers.

  30. Jean Bullock says:

    Great tutorial as usual. I pinned. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/415386765611684186/ My go to coloring medium is Prismacolor Colored Pencils.

  31. Lindsey says:

    These are gorgeous! Must try this. I think my go-to colouring medium right now is using distress markers (or ink pads when I don’t have the right markers) to watercolour.

  32. Laurie B. says:

    Wow jus gorgeous cards and such a fun technique!! I’m currently using my zig markers-such bright colors!!!

  33. JulieC says:

    Copic girl!

  34. Kelly C says:

    Hi Jennifer, my favorite ways of coloring are (in no particular order) distress inks, my new zig markers (I even did the little dots on the tops like you did!) and watercolors. One thought I had with a stamp set that has both the outline and the shape of the flower, stamp the shape in versa mark, emboss with clear embossing powder, color with your choice, then, iron between two sheets clean newsprint. The embossing powder will lift off, so you can stamp the outline and emboss again. A lady by the name of Cathy Allen uses this technique. She’s a regular contributor to the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine. Hee hee! Love the peony set. Kelly

  35. Stephanie W says:

    Copics are my go-to coloring medium. Love them!!

  36. Lindarub says:

    Love using colored pencils and watercolors.

  37. Loly Borda says:

    I don’t own Copics, so I mostly use colored pencils or distress markers. Thanks for the chance!

  38. Paula Laird says:

    Copics have been my go to medium, but lately it’s been tied with watercolor. Watercolor seems like less work. 🙂
    These cards are gorgeous! I can’t wait to try this!

  39. JaneenK says:

    your ideas just keep rolling out. very pretty and simple.

  40. Judy says:

    I love the cards that you created and think the idea of coloring the background of the flower is terrific–TFS! I try to tailor my coloring medium to the stamp I am using and the look I am trying to achieve. Distress inks are one of my favorites because I love the colors and they lend themselves to so many techniques.

  41. k_dragon16 says:

    It is hard to pick just one! I use Distress, Sharpie markers, and colored pencils. I would like to get some Copic markers sometime, but can’t afford them yet. 🙂

  42. Terry B. says:

    My go-to medium is watercolor pencils!
    Thanks for the chance to win!

  43. Molly S. says:

    Great technique! Thanks for sharing. My go to medium right now are is the distress markers/ink pads. There are so many techniques you can do with them.

  44. TerriJ says:

    Fabulous technique! I am a beginner and always absorbing from great card makers.

  45. Maureen Chandler says:

    This is a terrific idea and I love how your cards look! I also love the postage edges and have put both sizes on my wish list! Thanks so much!

  46. Karanw says:

    Great idea for cards! I will definitely need to try this. My favorite coloring right now is watercolor pencils or wax pencils and Gamsol. I gave away my spectrum noir pens as I wasn’t using them but this might make me want them back. Thanks for the inspirations!

  47. Mary-Anne V. says:

    Gorgeous cards…love this interesting technique. My go to colouring medium is watercolour or pencil crayons right now.

  48. Susan V says:

    I love to color with my distress inks and an Aquapainter. I have some newly acquired markers (Zig Clean Color and Tombow) that I want to try too. I have some adult coloring books that I’ve barely touched that I want to play with too! 🙂

  49. janet Wilson says:

    Fabulous cards and video – thank you 🙂

  50. My is water coloring. I’m not a big fan of coloring, so I avoid stamps that need a lot of coloring.

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