Happy 2022! It feels like today starts that new adventure I talked about last week….and I hope you’re as excited as I am! This is taking far longer than my old style of posting, at least for the moment – because I’m coordinating social media posts all week, and tying everything up so it works together. I’m developing a system though, and am very hopeful it’ll become smooth sailing over time!
In this first episode of my new format – the “Deep Dive” video takes a look at 3 different ways to achieve a bokeh effect, which is what photographers get when the background is 1) out of focus (foreground is IN focus) and there are 2) either twinkly lights (think night city scene) or light filtering onto dust particles in the background. It becomes soft and out of focus – and makes an excellent background for all kinds of art projects!
Video
In the video, three different ways – starting from easiest, and going up to hardest. Watch below or click HERE to see it on YouTube – where you can also click on “chapters” to advance to the medium you’d like to see.
Colored Pencil
This is the easy one – pick some analagous colors, and I recommend having a black or dark color included too, just to create some drama/contrast. It looks great with some light and some dark areas. Grab your tea strainer and cotton balls and get busy!
Colored Pencil Supplies
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- Polychromos Pencils
- Polychromos Hex Chart
- Stillman Birn Gamma Sketchbooks
- Erasers:
- Afmat Long Point Pencil Sharpener
- Tea Strainer
Watercolor
This one’s a little tougher – the rabbit not included in that descriptor! You can use whatever image in the foreground you want. But for the bokeh background, let colors bleed together, then when it’s mostly dry – damp but not puddly – you’ll lift off the bokeh lights with a baby wipe. And by the way this original painting is for sale HERE – and prints are HERE.
Watercolor Supplies
Some product may be provided by manufacturers for review and use. Compensated affiliate links are here at no cost to you. If you choose to shop using my EH (Ellen Hutson) links, please accept cookies on that site in order to retain the link to my blog, or that compensation does not happen for me. I appreciate your support of my work with your purchases! Full affiliate and product disclosure | My trusted partners in art
- Arches Cold Press Paper
- Daniel Smith Watercolors:
- Brushes:
- Mottler Flat Wash, DaVinci
- Silver Brush Black Velvet Round #8: BLICK – AMZ
- Winsor Newton Kolinsky Sable Series 7 Round #8: Blick AMZ
Copic Marker
This one might be a bit tougher! Lots of color layering – the yellows felt unrealistic so I tempered them with blue-violets, then that got so purple I added the yellows back….but it came out so gorgeous I don’t really care how much time it took. Ha!
Colors used…
Copic Marker Supplies
Some product may be provided by manufacturers for review and use. Compensated affiliate links are here at no cost to you. If you choose to shop using my EH (Ellen Hutson) links, please accept cookies on that site in order to retain the link to my blog, or that compensation does not happen for me. I appreciate your support of my work with your purchases! Full affiliate and product disclosure | My trusted partners in art
What will you try?
What’s your medium? Can you picture these backgrounds behind a particular image in the foreground?
Wow! These demos got me excited to get my out my pencils!
Your work is beautiful and your instruction is very good! Thank you!
Oh wow, these are so cool!
Wow, totally love all three of the art pieces Sandy, the bokeh effect is so dreamy.
I did this a few years ago with a ink background but only use one colour and one layer.
I never tried it with my coloured pencils and hope to use my daughters alcohol markers to try it with also and hopefully I can at some grass like you did, so awesome!
Thank you so much for sharing, stay safe and have a wonderful day.
Watched the colored pencil version as I need “easy”. Wow, these got me inspired to go get my camera out again and fiddle with that! I am so distractible! Love your smiling face on the intro…a real day brightener! Thanks again for sharing your talents/inspirations. xoxo
These are beautiful, Sandy! I’m new to following you and am doing so in part because I’ve been a card maker who has fallen in love with colored pencils (after trying different coloring mediums) and want to take what I’ve learned and been practicing to the next level. I already have a stamped and colored image in my stash that I haven’t known what to do with for a background. This very well might be it and I can’t wait to try it!!!! BTW, I finally took your suggestion and got some Stonehenge paper to try. O … M … Gosh!!! I was playing with it yesterday and I couldn’t believe the difference!!!! I LOVE it!! Thank you so much! I don’t subscribe to social media, but I’ll be looking forward to seeing your “big idea” on Friday. Thanks again!
Oh I’m so glad to hear that! Bokeh is an EXCELLENT solution for the “oh crud what do I put behind this image?” problem. 🙂
And Stonehenege……what a difference. They should give me a lifetime supply. LOL (They don’t even know who I am, but still…..)
I love the bokeh look– that bunny is precious!
I used some bokeh patterned paper for some New Year’s cards, but I never thought of trying to create my own bokeh backgrounds. I might try the pencil technique, but first I have to buy that tea strainer! 🙂
Thank you for the great instructions. I learn most when teachers tell me the reason for the step. Now I know why it’s important to LAYER the colors! Wish me luck!
Good luck!!! Definitely try it and lmk how it goes :0)
Love this! I like the choices presented, the longer format, and – having you back with my morning coffee! Can’t wait to try all of these bokeh backgrounds. So soft, after all the Christmas cards I made with snow falling! Love the bunny, but I’ll be trying the grasses first. Thank you-thank you – for everything you do.
Yay!! Hope it works out great for ya 🙂