In a Facebook message. a new colorist asked me which medium is best for coloring animals like dogs and cats. (And of course, it depends!)
The new Anita Jeram designs from Colorado Craft Company were too perfect a chance to show the comparison. They are SO DANG CUTE. #justsaying
So in today’s hop, I’ll show you three ways to color the same stamps, and you can decide what YOUR priority is!
BLOG HOP PRIZE INFO IS LATER IN THIS POST
Tutorial: Advice for new artists – coloring mediums for dogs and cats
Watch the video below and scroll to the end to leave comments or questions — or click HERE to watch it on YouTube and leave comments over there. I read both dutifully!
Alcohol marker
Not high on my recommendation list for new colorists, because, well, they’re expensive, and it takes getting a few trios or pairs before much can be accomplished. By the time you spend on that, you might decide that maybe you didn’t really like the look or the process anyway. But if you’re totally attracted to the look and you have a budget? Go for it! I have a few free charts with suggested colors to start with here.
Then get yourself some Neenah cardstock and either stamps with a Copic friendly stamping ink or a multiliner (Copic friendly) pen, and get busy making art! Then there’s always a Copic Jumpstart class that might help out too. A hex chart is a help too!
Watercolor
Though it’s a favorite medium for me, it’s tough to learn if you’re trying for realism; loose splashy color is fine but once it comes to mixing, water management, etc, it can be rough going. Don’t go buying a gajillion tubes to get started though – folks who have palettes with 36 or 48 colors paint no better than someone with 6! Learn to mix from the start and you’ll save yourself hundreds of dollars in $10+ paint tubes. Daniel Smith has an excellent set of 6 essentials colors – 3 warm, 3 cool. Simple. In the Watercolor Jumpstart class you’ll learn some basics of mixing colors and make charts to show yourself how to achieve colors without buying lots of tubes. (Later you may want particular colors for ease of painting or techniques – but don’t start out buying them all!)
Also start with good paper. I know it feels counter intuitive and you want to save money. But honestly, it’ll make a difference in your practicing. Decent brushes for beginners are the Silver Brush Black Velvet line, try a round 4, round 8, round 12.
#1 recommendation: Colored Pencil
The new artist wanted to know about dogs and cats — and realism. So this is one of several reasons this is my best recommendation. The subtlety you can get, the fine points with a good sharpener (handheld or electric) – much to be said about them!
Pencils are something we’ve all used since we were children, so holding a pencil requires no special training. You can get a lot of colors without spending a ton (I recommend Prismacolor – a good artist brand, and has the best neutral range for animals). Colored pencils are also adaptable – trying out blending solutions and powdered pigments can give you lots of options inexpensively to achieve a lot of effects.
The Colored Pencil Jumpstart class is another that teaches color theory at the start so you get a good footing. You’ll learn about solutions and stumps and powdering your pencils – lots of techniques that’ll send you off on a coloring adventure. Pick up a hex chart here.
Pattern Stamping Class
The class I talked about that teaches how to make stamped patterned paper with Art Impressions Watercolor stamps…..it’s so much fun! Distress inks and stamping in the Pattern Stampinc Class.
The rest of the CCC release!
I didn’t have time to fully develop cards, due to lots of unforeseen things coming at me this week (watch the Superpower or Thanks videos for more on all that. Remember that purchasing using my affiliate links also helps with the goal I’m working on, I appreciate your help in meeting it!)…..but I did find a little time to at least color up the images! Tap on any of them to enbiggen.
LIFT HIGHER
I expanded the tree, there’s just something about not “finishing” a scene that makes me crazy 🙂
PICNIC CATS
Again, expanded the background. Also changed a cat into a raccoon, eliminated the picnic basket.
PLAY BALL
A simple scene – note that putting a shadow WAY under the dog’s feet makes him look like a real leap-er!
TEAM CATS
This tree NEEDED to be bigger, and darker, so the birdhouse took the stage. Imagine Pink Panther theme music!
WELL LOVED CATS
Here I pictured Tsuki and Punch out by the pool, chilling out! I may need to add a scene to this one before mailing it.
TINY BIRDS
These are the ittybittiest! What would be your sentiment recommendation for this card?
BEST IN ME DOG + STAY PAWSITIVE
I combined two stamp sets, with the dogs stamped partway off the page.
You can imagine their conversation! They often are chasing and wrestling – then suddenly they’re both sitting very very still catching their breath, giving each other the stinkeye. It’s so hilarious!
Something to note on the grasses: I colored the mass of greens first, and the greens stopped a bit low—the grass in my back yard is in desperate need of mowing, so I added some tall and going-to-seed blades of grass to bring the level up higher. Which looks more like what my puppers are doing when out in the grass!
Shop the new CCC release
- Entire new release at Colorado Craft Company
- Treat Yourself stamp set (used in this video) *diesL
- Complete Bundle 10% Off
- Stamps Only Bundle 5% Off
Bloghop!
Check out all the creations in the hop…..with 2 giveaways! The commenting for the contest will end July 12th at Midnight eastern time and will be announced July 14th on the CCC blog.
- One complete bundle or equal value gift card to one winner. The winner will be randomly drawn from orders placed that use a designer’s affiliate link.
- Giving away one stamp set on MY blog. CCC will randomly select the winners from the comments and will notify winner.
The bloghop list:
What would YOUR best recommendation be for a new colorist?
Think about someone brand new – needing to buy everything AND learn everything. Do you agree with me? Disagree? Why or why not? Leave me your feedback, I’d love to hear your answer!
Supplies
Some product may be provided by manufacturers for review and use. Compensated affiliate links are here at no cost to you. I appreciate your support of my work with your purchases! Full affiliate and product disclosure | My trusted partners in art
- Colorado Craft Company New Release
- Treat Yourself (used in this video)
- Complete Bundle 10% Off
- Stamps Only Bundle 5% Off
- Colored pencil:
- Colored Pencil Jumpstart Class
- Prismacolor pencils
- Prismacolor Hex Chart
- Polychromos Pencils
- Polychromos Hex Chart
- Stonehenge Drawing Paper Pads: AMZ – BLICK
- Tea Strainer https://amzn.to/3f6si87
- Gamsol Blending solution https://bit.ly/357eHKq
- Blending stumps: Blick – AMZ
- Blending stump sanding block
- Use any ink to stamp with; just let pigment inks dry well first.
- Fadeout No Line Ink, Ink On 3
- Watercolor:
- Watercolor Jumpstart Class
- Daniel Smith Watercolors Essentials set of 6
- Squeeze paint onto a white tile from the hardware store ($1) or a Whiskey Painters tiny paletteif you neeeeed to throw money away, lol
- Arches Cold Press Pad
- VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black, waterproof
- Fadeout No Line Ink, Ink On 3
- Sharpie Ultra Fine, waterproof
- Silver Brush Black Velvet Round #4 BLICK • AMZ
- Silver Brush Black Velvet Round #8 BLICK • AMZ
- Silver Brush Black Velvet Round #12: BLICK • AMZ
- Alcohol markers:
- Copic Jumpstart Class
- Free recommended color charts
- Copic Markers
- Copic Hex Chart
- Sketchmarker Brush Pro Alcohol
- Sketchmarker hex chart
- Olo markers
- Olo marker hex chart
- Neenah Cardstock, Solar White 250pk
- White Signo Uni-ball Gel Pen
- Copic Multiliner
- Alcohol-marker-friendly stamping ink
- Fadeout No Line Ink, Ink On 3
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Great post Sandy – I appreciate how ‘real’ you are with your advice
Watercolor it is.. Appreciate the comparison.
Sandy – I love how you showed different versions of the same images! You rock the coloring!
The Tiny Birds card you made is my favorite–my first thought for a sentiment is “I love hanging out with you.” Thank you for sharing all your tips and especially for sharing your many talents.
I always look forward to getting the emails from you! You’re so talented Sandy! I love the Furry Friends stamps!
Hi Sandy,
I’m so appreciative of you sharing your information and knowledge!
I love your helpful comments and the comparisons.
A big fan!
I’m loving this release and your coloring is amazing as usual. Thank you so much for the inspiration today.
Wonderful cards! The colored pencil definitely gives animals the fur texture and may be the easiest to begin with. I think the paper/card texture also makes a difference. Love this release!
I definitely agree about colored pencils being the best to start with, especially for more realism (because of the same reasons you discussed). Paper really does make a difference, too! I also HIGHLY recommend your Jumpstart classes.
Absolutely adore everything you’ve colored, but my favorites are Tsuki and Punch sunning (no surprise there LOL) & the one from the video (I cannot get enough of G watching V lick Tsuki!). ^_^
I love watching you, I have taken several of your tutorials and classes online and have learned so much. Practice is so important! Time and grace towards ourselves as we learn is also important, so hard for many of us who want to be awsome artists like Sandy right out of the shoot. I can definitely see improvement as I learn techniques and that I have learned through your tutorials. Take Sandy’s classes, wonderful and worth it. Getting good supplies a major game changer. I think your sentiment would be more personal on the inside. Thank you for your spirit and talent.❣
Such beautiful cards. I love all of them!
I love all the different mediums you used. I need to try a new one.
To me starting out as a newbie I would first try Prisma colored pencils as they are affordable. I would need to familiarize myself with different papers to achieve the best result. I would watch lots of your videos to learn technique. This new release is right up my alley. I love animals and your helpful tips to create them.
You are a genius. Using the different mediums to demonstrate how they look is great. I like the pencils because you have captured fur the best. I love all your scenes. I am such a sucker for cats and dogs and your work shows what to do with the Stamps.
Thank you.
I especially love the kitties. But the dogs are precious, too. Your coloring technique is cool..
Wow, I love how you color all the cute Anita Jeram stamps. I think I need to get them all seeing your samples.
DOG MOM HERE! I LOVE these dog stamps! Your coloring is OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the walk-thru of the different types of colouring media. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
As usual, lovely coloring. I love this release. Paws-itive is my favorite. I love the birds too. So glad they added those in.
I love the way you color the Anita Jeram images! I agree that color pencils are the best medium to start with as a newbie. I think you tend to have more control over the medium than with watercolor and alcohol markers.
Adorable cards! I can’t wait to get these stamps and start creating! Thanks Sandy!
These are the most realistic cards! Just stunning. I have to agree that pencils are the easiest medium for beginners. Thanks for sharing!
I love Anita’s art! She is so talented!! Great video. Thank you for sharing!!
Your no line coloring is phenomenal! Beautiful cards, Sandy.
Thanks for the g great information on coloring! I’ve been stamping for many years, but I can always use some advice!! Your coloring is awesome, as is this release. I cannot wait to get my hands on this one!!
After watching your videos for a few years I have been able to move into uncomfortable territory and try coloring with pencils, markers and watercolor. Still a beginner but not as scary to try now. Thank you!
Love the comparison video and the release is my favorite! Also perfect touch finishing the cards
I think a sentiment for the birdie cards could be: Have aTWEET day.
As for a new coloring artist, I agree with your view but add; markers are easier then pencils on my hands.
I agrée that pencils are the best choice for starting out. I inherited a few prismacolor pencils from my daughter and was able to add to them easily. Took the Colored Pencil Jumpstart; eventually moved on to copics but am coming back to pencils.
Stunning as usual. I have been following you for years and years….you just keep getting better and better. Thank you so much for teaching, encouraging and inspiring us always.
These are so cute Sandy. The stamp sets are super fun just like all of Anita Jeram stamps, but your way of adding the coloring is super cool!
I tend to struggle coloring animals and you have given me some great ideas and tips. Thank you!
Enjoyed reading your comments on your
projects. I do not consider myself an
artist – can’t seem to get shading correct
but love to see what others can do. Your
“paintings” are fantastic. thanks
for sharing.
How do I find your paper making class…using AI stamps?
Thank you for sharing all about coloring for us beginners!! Wonderful cards!!
Thank you for the wonderful video. I think the sentiment should go inside the card, as not to take away from your wonderful coloring. Do you still use the Pro Sketch markers? I downloaded all the info that you put out about them and have started to collect them ( I also have Altenew markers). I am terrible at picking out new ones to purchase. Any ideas which might help?
Do you mean the Sketchmarker alcohol markers? Yes I use them occasionally, but find myself coming back to Copics when I’m busy and don’t have time to fuss; the numbers on the ends of my Sketchmarkers have rubbed off so much I can’t find the one I want quickly now.
Yes, I was referring to then pro sketch marker alcohol markers. There are so many pretty colors and wanted to add more to fit in with my Altenew markers.
Great coloring tips. I needed that. Such great images to play with!!!
You inspire us to keep going.
This new release has me needing it ALL! Oh my word, your cards are gorgeous – I love how detailed you are.
Oh my…I am such a dog and cat lover. This release is so adorable and your coloring is fantastic. Love it
Your coloring is always amazing. My favorite is the pencil. This is a great release to work with…so much fun.
I love your cards, they melt my heart. They are just so sweet (love the Vienna and Giallo cameos, and the kitty too). You coloring Anita’s stamps are a match made in heaven.
What a great post, showing different ways to color these wonderful stamps!!! Thanks for the information!
I really appreciate your tips and charming cards! It is so fun to see the different mediums so close together. Also love the use of floral frame – such fun!
Thank you for sharing your coloring techniques! Love these cards and would not have thought to mat on patterned paper!
You never cease to amaze! Such a great collection of ways to color!!! Thank you for creating and sharing.
I am so intrigued by your coloring in any medium and the story that you tell with your images. Thanks for all the lessons over the years.
Fantastic cards and great explanation on medium choices!
What’s cute images. They really paint a story in your head. Thanks Sandy.
Sandy…these are all so amazing! I am still working on my copic coloring skills,but you are so inspiring and extremely helpful with your tutorials! Thank you soooo much for sharing your knowledge and expertise with these adorable images of the cutest fur babies! Love from Virginia!
Very creative using patterned paper for the background and the ribbon adds that little something extra!
Thanks for the tips and for sharing your cards.
What cute cards I love these new stamp sets