We’re having a blast sharing before-and-after cards on the OWH facebook page; I get lots of emails telling me they’re helpful. So I’m catching on that it’s a good way to teach 
I decided to try it with coloring an image – this one seemed to be a good one to do that with, since I didn’t like my first attempt all that much!
The image is a really complex one. When you have an image with a lot of parts to it, figure out what you want to draw attention to. On this image, I really wanted that candy cane to pop, as well as Marci’s smiling face – and in the first attempt (on the right), it blended right in with the image. There are so many white/red stripes that they start to vibrate against each other and your eye bounces all over. So I changed up a few things and came out with the image on the left….watch the video below for a further discussion of my thought process as I colored. (And I did put them in the wrong order in this photo. lol. Yes, I still have a cold!)
So here’s the finished card using the second image – I liked it a lot more. But also needed to work out what was going on behind her on the card! The paper was pretty busy, so I layered the image onto a rectangle so you can see her – otherwise she melted into the paper and you couldn’t see where she stopped and the paper began. The embellishment is twine wrapped around a scalloped circle. Beware of the thickness – Nancy had a great tip for you in THIS video.
To enhance the candy and berries, I added Glossy Accents to them….
This is my recovery of the “before” image; I’m debating going back in and coloring more of her shirt in, since I think her arms still fight the candycane for attention. However, at least the rest of the card is MUCH more mellow with the black and muted colors.
Hope you’re enjoying World Cardmaking Day – don’t forget to go MAKE something today too! Don’t just stay on the computer ALL day Be sure to come back tomorrow and leave comments on my official posts – CANDY!
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- WCD: Copic Coloring Lantern Marci | Sandy Allnock - [...] used the same sketch as yesterday…different image, and a very different color [...]
Could you stamp another Marcie, cut off her arms (eeesh, that’s horrible to type) and color the stripes green to match her collar and layer them over the red striped arms? You wouldn’t even had to redo her hands.
Thanks for the tut! I do love coloring, but I tend to stay away from such detailed images. I always enjoy watching you though – it makes me break out those stamps I’ve put away. I too like before and after pictures (unless its me before 4 kids and after 4 kids LOL).
haha too funny, Penny
I like how the candy cane “pops” by your use of colors with the brunette Marci.
It will be hard not to be on the computer all day with all the amazing hopping and card samples to look at, but will make myself participate in the card making.
Thanks for all you do!
Great tutorial! Your Before & After posts/blogs are so helpful and much appreciated – especially for those of us that are visual learners.
) And, I DID find the Before & After Gallery on the Website. Thanks for all you do to keep us inspired, encouraged & motivated to contribute to OWH.
So many of the coloring tutorials make things complicated. Thanks for keeping it simple and explaining the rationale behind the choices you made. Great job Sandy.
Thanks so much for the video, Sandy! I really enjoyed watching you color with your Copics, and really appreciate all the tips you offer us while your working…I mean, playing
Also, the angle and level of focus on you camera is perfect…we were able to see everything you were doing with clarity! Thanks again!!!
They are both adorable cards but I think the candy cane pops more against the green. But they both pop with the use of dark and light paper behind them. Great cards.
I think they are both gorgeous! The Copic coloring is beyond my talent set LOL! And can we talk about that FABULOUS peppermint you made with twine?? Gorgeous!
I do like both cards, but to have the candy cane pop you are correct that the after is much better. I wouldn’t be sad to get either of them ! ! Thanks for all you do.
Great tutoral with great coloring… it’s so cool to see 2 identical images look entirely different!! I love the layered ribbon on the 2nd card and I love the image mounted on black on the 1st card!!
I love both cards… but I totally understand about the stripes vibrating. I would recommend filling in the rest of the green on her hat, shirt and skirt. Since you’ve already made her collar green… perhaps you can go in with a darker green for shading. I like how you made her sleeves red on the 2nd image… I’d do the same for the 1st one. Hmmmmm… I’m at odds with doing the same to her leggings though… I love the all red leggings on the 2nd card… but I also really like the red & white stripes matching her hat.
Love your work!!
God bless & big hugs…
Tracy
I want to color with the big girls ;-(
I want more copics and more time.
I know I get needy when I am crafting.
Just got my anniversary edition copics on Wednesday and I haven’t even been able to use them yet! I hope someday to be as good as you!
Marci and Luca are SO cute – are they modeled after a La La Land owner’s child? I liked the blond hair, but the outfit is definitely a big improvement in the dark-haired version. Maybe you could use enough red on the blond Marci’s collar to get rid of the green there, and then you could do the shirt body in green.
Oh I love her on the dark background too! That mint is just precious!!
wow, what an amazing difference! I’m not a copic marker person here, but I enjoy watching these tutorials and learning about coloring/shading/highlighting. and the basic ideas can still help me in layout/design of cards! the ideas of how to pop and enhance a focal point~~~~ thanks! (plus, great reminder to use my glossy accents!)
Both images are darling but the blonde elf’s white accents do compete with the candy cane. The brunette elf looks warmer and more cozy due to keeping white only on the candy cane and having the tone on tone coloring for the formerly white areas. Thanks for showing this before and after, it really really helps.
Absolutely beautiful! Still learning how to use my copics. Great tutorial
The second little elf girl is so darling. I just love her and her colors so much more. Glad I came here to see it. TFS