Bark and Chipboard

Hello Everyone and welcome to another Copic Oz tutorial!  Today I'm playing with Chipboard and Sticky Barc!  Sticky Barc is a new product which are self adhesive sheets of ultra then wood - made of REAL wood!  You can stamp, ink, colour, varnish and anything you would normally do with paper, you can do to these wood sheets as well!  Oh, you can even put them through your inkjet printer!!  How Cool!!  :)

As you can see, there is a removable backing sheet on the back of your sticky barc sheet.

Did I mention you can die cut it??  This piece has been cut using the La La Land Crafts Heart Fence Die.

 

I really like the look of the fence cut with this wood, however, I've decided to give it a bit of a golden effect by colouring with Y21 which is a lovely buttery yellow!

 

How about Chipboard?  

You can colour chipboard in exactly the same way, by simply colouring direct from your marker, or even airbrushing!!  Remember the chipboard is darker and very absorbent, so lighter colours don't show as well.  I've used RV55 which is a mid-toned pink.

 

 Of course, you can leave your chipboard like this and it looks great, or you can apply some X-press It Clear Gel glue for a glossy effect!  (Make sure you have a scratch mat underneath!!)

Even out the glue with your finger so that all parts of your chipboard are covered evenly!

 Use your Sticky Barc and Chipboard to create a sweet hanging piece of art - I thought this would be cute in my daughter's room!  :)

 

Hope you've enjoyed today's tutorial!  Why not play around with some new surfaces and see what fabulous projects you can create??!!

Happy Colouring!
Kathy

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Copic Technique Journal #2 Skin Swatches

Hi everyone, I hope you are all working on colouring those swatches for your colour journals - I know that's what I spent my weekend doing!  Today I'm going to show you the second idea for your Copic Colour Journal - it's one we all use and lots of people have trouble getting something they are happy with - yes it's Skin Colours!

But first we have a prize to give away from our Copic Technique Journal #1 Colour Swatches competition, congratulations to Alashandra who did a fantastic job of showcasing Colour Swatches in her Technique Journal, we really loved how she used one image to nest a series of different leaf and petal colour options!  Well done Alashandra, please email Sascha with your postal address and she will get your prize out to you!!

And now onto this week's tutorial.... I find that keeping a record of skin colour combinations is vital to my colouring, both those I have discovered for myself and those used by other Copic artists that I've seen online or at certification classes.  Armed with this array of choices that I know work, it makes it much easier to choose skin colours to match hair or clothing.

Once again we are providing you with a fabulous and free Copic Blending Template, designed especially for Copic Oz and perfect for trying out those skin colour combos! 
You have two options depending on which way you like to work (landscape or portrait) both templates can be cut in half so they can be glued into your Copic Blending Journal, or you can use the full A4 size and pop the pages into an A4 ring binder.

Click here for the portrait template
Click here for the landscape template 

To get you started I've completed a page of beginner friendly Copic skin colour combinations - all of which are simple combos for guaranteed results!  The only tricky one in the bunch is the very last combo - which takes a little more work to blend than the others.  I've tried to stick to the same cheek colour R20 for most of these, so you can see how different it looks against each of the colours.  R20 is one of my 'go to' colours for cheeks as it gives beautiful results against most skin combos.

Pale Skin Colour Combos

Now I have to admit to also creating a few 'play' pages, this first page is perfect for people who do not have access to a Copic safe printer.  I've made this template page by cutting a circle from some scrap paper, tracing the circle onto a page in my Copic Colour Journal 3 times, then placing the template over the drawn circle and using this as a mask.  I stamped my La-La Land Crafts stamp (New Years Marci) into the circle using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I then cut out some pieces from the Copic Colour swatch template and used these to record my colour combos.  You might like to record hair and clothing combos on the same page.

Your other option is to go a bit fancy, now I wouldn't do this for every page (as it took a while) but it might be fun to have a few like this scattered through your Colour Journal to make it look that bit more special.  On this page I've used the same skin colour for each image, but have played with different shadow colours, hair and clothing.  I am always surprised by how different the same colours can look when paired with different combinations.  To create this page I die cut a circle in pink paper, then die cut the fancy frame behind, stamped Autumn Marci on some scraps of X-Press It Blending card and cut these to fit into the circle - instant gorgeousness!

I hope you've enjoyed this peek at some of my favourite skin colour combos and that you will enjoy using our new skin colour combo template!

So now it is time for the competition details.... similarly to last time, we are calling upon participants to  show us how they sample skin swatches in their Copic Technique Journal, feel free to use the FREE Skin Swatches Templates, links above!!!  Show us how you journal skin tone options and link up your blog post via the InLinkz below.  A FREE Journal will be awarded to the most impressive post... check back here in two weeks time to see who won and be inspired by the next feature in our Copic Technique Journal series.

And for some further inspiration here is a look back at some of the Copic Oz Tutorials of past that focused on skin tone:
Copic Hair and Skin Colour Wheel
Dark Skin Tutorial
Colouring Dark Skin


Back soon with more,
Kate

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Time to Layer!

Hello Everyone and welcome back to another Copic Oz tutorial!  Today it's all about layering....not layering colour, this time it's cutting and layering parts of images.  When I was a little girl I had paper dolls and I just loved them - doing all of this layering reminds me of those days long gone!  :)

Today I've used Artist Marci by La La Land Crafts and stamped it several times in Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-press It Blending Card.

For the first image, I've coloured only the easel and left Marci blank since I plan on popping her up on foam tape for dimension.

Next I've coloured various pieces on each image.  One has the face, hair, shirt, shorts and legs.  Another the paint jacket and head scarf.  For another one I've coloured the head scarf again because I couldn't decide which colour I preferred and also the paint palette.

Then I cut all the pieces out!

Then I've started layering the pieces - just like creating your own paper doll!  :)

Hmmmm.....maybe the scarf to match the jacket.....

Attach each layer using X-press It High Tack Foam Tape for some fabulous dimension!

And create your card!!

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial - why not do some layering yourself and leave us a comment so we can see what you create!!!  :)

Happy Colouring!
Kathy

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Happy Australia Day!

Hi there- its Sascha from Copic HQ! There are a lot of sweet tooth's working in our office (I'm one of them!!) and when I saw some yellow and green Liquorice in my local supermarket I felt instantly inspired! I decided to make an Australia Day themed lolly bag, made using my favourite Australian Themed La-La Land Craft's Stamp- Koala Marci.

I coloured my image in with shades of yellow and green  that matched the liquorice. I used a few different techniques to add a bit of life to it. I used my Colourless Blender to add some texture to Marci's koala hat. I just dripped some of my Copic Colourless Blender onto a piece of textured towel, then lightly pressed it onto the areas I wanted to lighten. Click here for a great tutorial on doing this technique. I also used the feather blending technique to colour Marci's tutu. To learn more about this technique, click here! To create they green and gold string to match my image, I simply coloured some plain string in with coordinating colours.

I used the following Copic Colours:
Hair- E00, Y21, Y00
Skin- YR000, YR00
Koala Hat- C1, C3, C5
T-shirt- C1, C3, C5
Tutu- YG11, YG07,Y21, Y02
Ugg Boots- E31, E33, Y21
String- YG07, Y06

Happy Australia Day from everyone at Copic Oz!!Pin It

Halloween Hop!

Welcome to our Halloween Hop sponsored by Copic, FabScraps, La-La Land Crafts and X-Press It. Today we are teaming up to share some Halloween fun. Whether you love scrapbooking or stamping, colouring or card making there should be something to inspire your creativity. Of course there is also awesome blog candy to be won! Simply leave a comment on each of the 9 blogs throughout the hop and you have the chance to win a fantastic trick or treat pack of blog candy on EACH of the 9 blogs! This is the very first stop on today's hop and we're sure you are going to love all the inspiration waiting for you! 

For today's hop I've used Lil Devil Marci and had such fun colouring her with Copics!!  Colours used today are......
Skin - E000, E01, E11, E70
Hair - E50, E51, E53, E55
Dress, Socks, Hairband, Trident - R30, R32, R35, R37, R39
Sleeves and Boots - N1, N3, N5, N7

Be sure to visit the rest of the designers participating in this blog hop, click on the next name on the list below. Also don't forget to leave a comment to win some blog candy. This blog hop finishes at 12:01am AEST on October 29, 2012. Enjoy the hop and happy Halloween!

o   Copic Oz (you are here)
o   Edna
o   Mandi
o   FabScraps Oz
o   Marelle
o   Tarrah
o   X-Press It
o   Kathy
o   Sharmaine 

Don't forget to comment on each blog for your chance to win and enjoy the hop!  Pin It

Feathering Technique

Hello Everyone!!  Today I'm talking about my FAV technique - FEATHERING!!!  It is often said that this is the hardest technique, but I love it and when you practice a few simple things, you will love it too!!!  :)  This technique is primarily used when you want to colour something from two DIFFERENT colour families, such as dresses, fairy wings and flowers (think pansies or irises that change from purple to yellow).  The biggest thing to keep in mind is that, when using this technique that you use colours that end in the number 0, 1 or 2!  Why?  Because they are very pale and will blend from one to the other.  Darker colours are difficult to achieve this look, although with some practice you could also use colours that end in a 3. 

If you are practicing and you are still having trouble go for the colours that both end in 0 (BV00, B00, RV10, BG10 etc).  Once you've mastered the paler colours you can move on to the darker shades.

 I find the easiest way to teach feathering is to draw a long skinny box and mark it at 1/3rd and 2/3rds.  What this does is helps you flick far enough to the opposite side so your colours will blend in the middle.

 For my example, I've chosen R81 (a colour that ends in a 1) and flicked it in from the left side.  Notice I've flicked over to about the 2/3rd line.

Next I've taken Y21 (another colour that ends in a 1) and flicked it in from the right hand side.  If you find it difficult to flick from different directions, simply move the paper around - make it as easy as possible on yourself!!

 When I say FLICK, look at the top of the image above.  Notice how it's dark on the end when I put my marker to paper and then the end is almost at a point - this is because I'm lifting my marker towards the end.

The second image, I'm not lifting my marker - notice it looks more like a rectangle?  This is not going to work for feathering.

The final image above is what I often see when people say they find feathering to difficult.  This is because the marker is not being lifted at the end and they are using a motion like the second image and not flicking far enough in, causing a blocky looking cross over.

 Let's apply this to a stamped image.  Today I'm using Princess Marci by La La Land Crafts.

 First I flick down with my R81 marker (remember you can turn the paper if it easy for you!).

 Then flick up with the Y21 marker.  Keep applying the colours until you get the look you want!

Then finish colouring your image as desired.

Copic Colours -
Hair - E50, E51, YR31, E53
Skin - E000, E01, E11, R20 (for lips)
Dress - R81, R83, R85, Y21

That's all from me today, have a play with feathering and leave a comment with a link to your blog so we can see what awesome feathering creations you've been making!!

Happy colouring
Kathy  :)Pin It

Psst.....Have you heard????

There's a brand new Copic Marker Australia competition happening!  Simply upload a picture of a Copic coloured La La Land Crafts image to the Copic Marker Australia Facebook Page!!  The three images with the most 'likes' by the end of May 15th will each receive Two Acrylic Blocks AND a Copic Colour Swatch Book!!!!

Along with Copic Markers and La La Land Crafts Stamps, you can now buy acrylic blocks through your local Copic Stockist!

I've used Birthday Marci and coloured with Copic Markers.....

Dress - R81, R83, R85, R89
Skin - E000, E01, E11, R20 (for blush and lips)
Hair - E50, E51, E53, E55, YR31
Present - G40, G82, G85
Ribbons - YR20, YR21, YR24
Panda - C0, C1, C3, C5, 0

For more details about the card, see my personal blog - Inspired to Stamp.

What are you waiting for???  Start colouring, don't forget to 'like' your favourite and tell all your friends!!!  :)

Happy Colouring!!!
KathyPin It

La-La Land Crafts

Hello everyone!  Irina is here today :-)  I was super excited when Jacquie and Mandi invited me to be a Guest Designer for a day on Copic Oz blog!!  I think this is a great chance for us to tell you all first hand how excited we are at La-La Land Crafts to be represented in your country by X-Press Graph-X!!

Irina Blount (me) and Eric Berry are the owners of La-La Land Crafts AND the artists of Marci and Luka line of stamps.  This line of stamps was introduced in August of 2010 and received an amazing response from the crafters from all over the world.  Our images are adorable and sweet.  Our stamps are designed to be colored!!  There are a lot of open areas in all of our images to showcase your Copic coloring skills.  From the novice to the Copic coloring expert, everyone can enjoy coloring these images!!   Our stamps are made of red rubber and are deeply etched, they come to you mounted on a cling and ready to be used with acrylic blocks.

Today I would like to share my card with our Marci with Rose.  This stamp along with other Marci and Luka images is available through X-Press Graph-X.

I colored Marci in Black & White with a hint of pink, kind of like a photo tinting effect.  A few tips on coloring images in Black & White:

- I find Warm Greys to be the best choice for coloring images in Black & White.  Other option is Toner Greys.
- Color in small areas to keep the ink wet to avoid overblending.  I always start coloring the face and the rest of the skin on the image first to set the tone for the rest of the image.
- If desired, add some color to your image to tie it in with your project.  If doing so, color those areas with your greys first to give it a grey undertone.

I also colored this pretty silk ivory ribbon with Copic R85 to match the paper.

This card measures 6" x 6".

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Marci with Rose by La-La Land Crafts

Papers: Cardstock - Bazzill,  Designer Paper - Teresa Collins

Tools: EK Success Border punches, Spellbinders Circle Nestabilites, Cricut Eiffel Tower (from Paris in Summer Cartridge)

Embellishments: Crystal Stickles, Button from Buttons Galore, May Arts ribbon (colored to match with Copic in R85)

Copics Used:

W00, W2, W4

R83, R85

YG03, YG63

I hope you enjoyed my post :-) 

Hugs!!

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