Today my project is all about this little set. When the fest was over, there were some extras in this make and take, so I was given 4 to take home. I decided to share my Copic coloring methods using 4 different color families. I've been a little under the weather, so I did a photo step-out rather than a video.
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| Hero Arts Dahlia |
------ RED ------
Reds are often hard for people to grasp. In my mind, I break down what colors go into making a red flower. That determines my colorway.
You can see my list of colors - R89, R39, R27, R24, R05, R01, E01, R000. I begin by determining my drop shadows using my darkest color, R89. Drop shadows are the areas that are directly beneath the petal above. Then I add quick flicks of that color into the leaf. Shadows are composed of the deepest color of the flower plus any coolness dependent on the light. I'm staying neutral with these, but you could go warmer or cooler depending on your light type and source.
I chose a warm, brighter color for the next application. Quick flicks again, but I'm staying close to the R89 areas. This pulls a little of the R89 out into the petal, softening the line and brightening things up.
I shift into the lightest color. This helps even everything out and shows me where I have overly or under-saturated points. I start picking up colors with the R01 to add contrast, or let the maker linger to push ink out of the way.
You see my little porcelain dish? I love these. They come in a stack of 5 with a lid. I scribble a little of my darker colors into this dish for tip-to-tip pickup. If I do actual tip-to-tip, I inevitably drop one of the markers splat on my project. When you see the photos in succession, you'll note when those streaks change. A sure sign that I've picked up another color to be the 'tween combo.
My next colors fill in gaps, and the I finally start addressing the center. Some dahlias have vibrant greenish-yellow centers. My red color palette leans towards orange, so I'm adding more orange and yellow bits in there.
The color palette on my paper is not always a complete list. It's my starting point. I realized the E01 wasn't going to fit in, and that I needed those yellows.
I'm bringing in the YR65 to those centers, and little touches on the other petals to carry the orangeness around.
Smoothing with R01.
And finally tightening up the shadows with my next to darkest in this line up, R39.
Still with me? Great!
------ GREEN ------
I follow the same process with the leaves - determining the shadow areas, and where I want the lightest part of the leaves to fall. If an image has a ridge, it can be lightest (nearest your eyes), or deepest if you want that to bend away from the light.
G99 begins with the outer edges, bending away from the eyes.
YG67 starts to brighten and lift the leaf.
YG17 brings more light to the raised portion of the leaf.
Lastly, FYG2 (a newer addition to Copic's line) becomes the brightest of the greens.
YG01 finishes the effect. I run a light coat of YG01 all over the leaves to pull it all together and limit harsh lines between the colors.
------ YELLOW ------
Yellows can be tricky. It's such a light, bright color that deep shadows can pose a problem. Here's my palette, Y11, Y06, Y08, Y26, E37.
Are you scared? I was. I admit it. I wasn't certain this was a good idea, but hey, it's just paper, right? It's ok - it works out in the end. Note the use of the dark marker on the end of the petals - those define where the folds in the petal are. Petals are seldom flat and smooth.
I added the lightest color and learned my marker was very dry and I had no refill. Still, it did its job. I leave a white space on most of the petals where I want the very lightest effect. This is an important step. If you get nothing else out of this post, read this.
Leave yourself room for highlights. Dark areas are easy to darken. Getting lights back is nigh on impossible.
The mid-tone brings on brassiness. I pull a little of the E37 out with this Y08 application.
A little Y26 adds more definition. So that's where I left this - finished the leaves as shown above.
So here they all are. I used the lovely delicate petals stencil from Hero Arts with Distress Ink Tumbled Glass using Clarity Stencil Brushes. These brushes... so awesome if you want a delicate blend without any harsh lines.
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| Clarity Stencil Brushes |
I added some twine, a sentiment from retired Verve set Rise Above, plus some Tonic sequins and Crystal Drops in Morning Dew.
Color palette RV02, RV06, RV17, RV19.
Color palette YR01, YR65, YR15, YR68, YR27, and E37.
I hope these bring you some inspiration. Pull out your favorite colors - enjoy coloring even if the final result isn't stellar. It's only paper!
Ta for now,
~ky
