The Saltbox Sampler

coloring technique part 4 + new contest for Friday

Today's coloring technique is the addition of colored pencil.

•White colored pencil for highlights on basket and presents-
•Dk brown colored pencil added around edges and throughout basket for depth
•Med. Brown pencil added in basket for balance

The basket is done.  Next, I will "paint" the background.  I enjoy adding background because I think it gives movement to a drawing or painting.   A great  thing about The Saltbox Studio art  is it can stand alone or be used in any of the phases seen in this tutorial. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for the last installment in this series. Also our last contest (until our next release) begins Friday  (tomorrow)

Contest winner

Good morning.  I am a bit late  "surfing" today.     The card I have posted is another Lexi card. I love the simplicity of this as a quick Valentine's Day card.  On the scallop clear sticker (by A Muse) she put glitter on the backside.  So clever. 

Our winner of the Celebration Sayings companion set is:  Whitney (Hennes).

Congratulations!  You'll love making cards with the mouse.

Be sure to email me with your address.

Beth

our contest continues until

Scroll down to the balloon mouse  to see our contest of the day if you haven't already.  It lasts til' I log on tomorrow.
Have a peaceful evening

marker technique part 3

Today you see most of the detail added in.  I began with base colors and then added the darker for shading.
The lightest areas have not been added yet because I will do that with pencil.  One key element to shading with only a couple different markers is blending with a neutral grey.  It needs to be french/warm grey  or cold grey depending on what your palette is for the design you are coloring. Your design at this point will not be so much like mine because this is where an artist's own style will start to come into play more. I will create a step by step for this card, Thursday's and Friday's card and link it to the blog at the end of the week, but, remember yours will not be exactly like mine.  (The colors will be on  the list too.)

It's a contest day

We have a contest beginning today for one of our Companion sets (only 2 left)!  You just have to leave a comment noting your favourite time  of day to "surf" online.

Back later today with the marker card technique part 3.

marker technique part 2

PHOTO A

PHOTO B

I have posted two pictures tonight.  One is just the very basic background area to begin filling.  I use ONE color and layer it on top of each other at least 4 times.  Let each layer dry a few seconds.  Then I add a darker color for the base shadow only.

Once I finish just the basics of background (photo A) I do the biggest piece of the image.  In this case it is the basket. (photo B)

A.  I filled the basket with a light color brown (with yellow undertones)
B.  I then layered that color over itself shading the basket.  For simplicity sake I did a center light source
(It's not "straight on"  it is a bit more from above to give presents depth later)
C.  Next I used a darker brown this time with a touch of  grey undertone and added the darker shaded areas around the edges and in the basket weaving.
D.  I left alone a center area that almost looks white with the other shading on the basket, but really it has the first layer of brown on it.
E. I added a much darker muddy brown under the basket in the background for the final shading there.

Until tomorrow...

Would you like to swing on a star...

I just love all the different things our DT has done with the mice.  This one is perfect to send to a friend.

The monochromatic color scheme keeps it simple and quick. Later today I'll have day two of the

basket card.  It will be "just a touch of marker".

Card of the day

Our card this evening is designed by Lexi Daly.  Today you see the image and how it "holds its' own" without any coloring...  Each day this week you will see the card progress from no coloring to different marker use and finally colored pencil added.  I hope you enjoy the "tutorial" and it brings you lots of ideas.
Enjoy!

Beth

Contest Winner

Our "Submit your Stamping Style" contest winner is:  Sara, WI

Congratulations and please send us your mailing address and the set of your choice request.

The week to come

This week will be busy here at The Saltbox Studio blog.  Yesterday's last contest winner will be announced.
We will have another contest, however, it won't be"announced" in advance.  So, check back periodically to enter.   More samples shall be posted.  Oh, I'll have one of my marker technique tutorials up this week too.

If you haven't signed up for our weekly email "Peek of the Week"  head on over to our web site.  Our first mails out soon.

Don't forget to visit the Design Team blogs...