While many love the graphic look that layering stamps create….there might be times you want to “soften” that look and do a little blending. On these beautiful swans you’ll get some tips on making that happen!

Supplies for this project are linked at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Video
Watch the video below or click HERE to view it over on YouTube.
I started by diecutting my MFT cardstock – then stamping the swans in 3 successive inks to get the look I wanted. Then layered on the pencil!

Here’s a closer look at the texture on the swan from the pen, and the simplicity of the background reeds.

Confession time: I had to peel up my layers – and ripped one! I had to add a nice big ribbon to cover the problem ara…so the card will have to be hand delivered – but it was worth it to save all the work that went into the card!

Want more inspiration?
Check out this blog post with a collection of a whole bunch of my coloring on colored papers!

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
- Modern Swans, Altenew Clear Stamps: EH ALT
- Modern Swans, Altenew Dies: EH ALT
- Sno Cone Carsdstock, MFT STamp
- MISTI Stamping Tool, My Sweet Petunia
- Yeti, Lawn Fawn Ink Pigment Pad
- Twilight, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad
- Midnight, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad
- Mint To Be, Catherine Pooler Ink Pad
- Polychromos Pencils: EH – BLICK
- Polychromos Hex Chart
- White Polychromos Pencil
- White Uni-ball Gel Pen: EH – AMZ – BLICK
- Slimline Series: Modern Embossed Frames, Trinity Stamps Dies
- Blending stumps: EH – BLICK
- Gamsol Blending solution: EH – BLICK
- Solvent jars
Love the look of those swans. Another great video. P.S. Great “save” with the bow!
This is so so pretty
Sorry, but great to hear I’m not alone in having a hard time to stamp layered stamps.
I totally love this beautiful card! Great to see how you made those swans more realistic with
pencil and pen. Awesome scene.
Thank you so much for sharing, stay safe and have a wonderful day.
WOW! I did not think you could get white swans on colored paper like that! That is amazing! I can NEVER get white pens to work….maybe I’m pressing too hard, I don’t know, but I think I’ve tried them all. I love the textures and dimension you achieved with the pencils and white pen. Maybe I will give this a try….again. Thanks for the great information!
This was a great learning video Sandy.Thanks so very much.Never gets old watching and learning from you.❤
Great tips on layering stamps and colored pencils… oh, and using gamsol! I haven’t bought any layering stamps because I always thought they looked like they’d been printed from the computer or something… But I could see myself trying it with this information. Beautiful card! Thank you.