Colouring with Alcohol Markers

I love to colour my stamped images but I consider myself a novice, especially when I see how others use their alcohol markers but don’t let that stop you from trying as practice really does make perfect.

The beauty of alcohol markers is the ability to blend colours together to create a smooth transition from one colour to another. I encourage you to try colouring with alcohol markers as it is so relaxing and the perfect mindfulness activity!

I stamped the cute Seasons of Fun stamp set from Stampin’ Up! and fussy cut around the images so I could raise it up off the background to give it some depth and dimension.

When using Alcohol markers you should always stamp your outline with a water based dye ink. If you use alcohol based inks for the outline the alcohol markers will also blend the outline of your image which doesn’t result in a crisp outline. I use Memento ink which is water based dye ink and available from my Stampin’ Up! shop.

And don’t forget to always make the inside as pretty as the inside.

Quick tips on how to colour with Alcohol Markers

• Use water based dye ink to stamp your outline images.
  
• Stamp on thick cardstock. Alcohol markers lay a lot of ink onto the card and the cardstock needs to be able to absorb the ink so thicker is better. I used our Basic White Thick or Shimmery White cardstock.
  
• Use both nibs on your alcohol markers. Use the thick brush tip for colouring larger areas and the smaller bullet tip to add definition and colour smaller areas.
  
• Choose several colour markers in similar colours. Don’t just purchase Old Olive Stampin’ Blends markers for example. Although you will receive one light and dark colour marker in Old Olive, if you really want to blend and create spectacular colouring you will need to add lighter and darker shades of other colour green blends to get real gradients. Choose a mid tone, light and dark green marker set to give you variation and choice when colouring.
  
• You can add layers of ink to blend but be mindful that the ink can bleed outside the stamped outline if load lots of ink onto your card. You will find the ink will dry lighter.
  
• I prefer to colour the darker shade first when using my Stampin’ Blends and then go over with the lighter pen to blend out the hard lines but you can do whatever works best for you.
  
• Work on one area of your image to get the best blend. If you are colouring a large image and colour all the dark areas first, you may find that the ink has dried by the time you try to blend the lighter shade.
  
• Consider where the light source for your image is. Look for areas which would be lighter and don’t be afraid to leave them without ink. Colour the areas of the image that are behind or set back in the darker pen. You can also use the Colour Lifter pen to dilute the ink on an image to lighten or highlight.

There are 4 lovely images in the Seasons of Fun stamp and I had fun creating this card using Autumn Colours. The leaf die cuts add texture and dimension. This stamp set is being retired from the current mini catalogue on January 3rd 2022. You can get the Seasons of Fun set for free with your earned Host Rewards when you spend £150 or more.

I hope I have encouraged you to get colouring. Don’t expect to be perfect the first time you try it, take your time and with each new design you colour the better you will get. If you want to treat yourself to some Stampin’ Blends, why not get all the supplies you need to get started and maybe get the Seasons of Fun stamp set for free when you spend over £150?

Please use my monthly hostess code when ordering with me via my online shop as I really love to spoil my customers with a handmade card and gift for shopping with me.

Have a great day x