My Personal Motto

I got an Adornit coloring mini book set some months ago and I really enjoy the drawings and sayings in them. The pages are textured and take watercolor well. I've used colored pencil on them too, but the paper is rough, so you won't get a smooth look with pencils. I've also used markers on them and in these pages, I've used both Arteza brush pens (markers) and Prismacolor pencils.

The funny thing is that I can find two of my life's mottoes in these four pages...

and...

I think we should all be a little kinder in our dealings with others and I think everyone should have a cupcake once in a while. Ok, maybe not everyone, maybe just me. And maybe not once in a while but every week instead. That would make me happy!

Luckily, I have a great local bakery called Cake, Hope and Love that has THE best buttercream of any bakery anywhere. Just say'n. You can buy it in the link here, along with sprinkles and cake toppers. 

                                      

And they actually know my name and will get my order ready ahead when I call. And once, after my husband stopped in to get me a cupcake after my retinal surgery, those fine people sent me a whole salted caramel cake—because they rock and they know that's my favorite. I should probably be embarrassed that they know me so well, but I ain't a bit sorry! :)

Happy Friday!

Chark

Love You Birthday Card

Today I'm sharing a card I made with a 12x12 coloring page from Adornit. I picked it up at Scrapbook.com, and it's meant for watercoloring. The paper is thick and textured and perfect to paint. I cut down the large image and made a birthday card with it.

Here it is, mid-painting. I used Tombow markers and one Real Waterbrush marker and did both coloring straight onto the page and also applying water to make it paint before putting it on the page.

Here's the final card, with a few Nuvo Silver drops for flower and berry centers and white gel pen and colored pencil additions to the painting.

I like how fast you can make a card with these panels already painted...so, buy some (they have tons of watercolor panels here) and do an afternoon of painting and then on another day, trim them into card-size panels and attach them to card bases.

Happy Friday!

Chark

Watercoloring Without Paint

I think I was first introduced to watercoloring with markers and inks by a video by Jennifer McGuire. She is for sure full of inspiration, unique ideas and quality video classes.

For these two panels from an Adornit mini coloring book, I used Tombow and Arteza brush markers that I scribbled on a non-porous surface and applied like any watercolor paint. They are so much easier for me than pots or tubes of watercolor.

Of course, it's still a little looser and less precise than markers or pencils, but that's the interesting thing about watercolors...any version of watercolors.

For this full page painted piece, I used another art-on-watercolor-paper from the Jane Davenport art journal that I write about here so much. I used the Tombow brush pens and a glitter marker afterward. You can't see the glittery goodness in the pic, but trust me, it's lovely! Her hair started out blonde, but I wanted some darker shades and then I just went all in with reds and oranges and some pink.

For the sentiment, I used the nib point of the Tombow marker. Some people love the brush end for lettering but I wanted teeny letters, so I went with the smaller nib.

What medium do you use for watercoloring? You can check here for those mini watercolor books from Adornit, they have a lot to choose from!

Happy Monday!

Chark

Color Galore

First up, I want to share my sunrise pic from today, the colors were absolutely gorgeous and if you didn't happen to be up at 7:20 am, this is what you missed. :) I love how the black branches look against a colorful sky and I'm going to have to try to recreate this in a card.

Second up, I have three coloring pages from a free mini coloring book I got from Adornit. If you hop over to their page here, you can see where you can get three free mini books. You just pay for shipping and it's so worth it. I can't remember what I paid, but it was less than $10. I used Arteza markers and Prismacolor pencils for these. The paper they're printed on is a nice thick watercolor paper and these are just right for pocket scrap pages or the front of cards. 

Here's a close-up.

And lastly, the color item I have to share is this colorful dessert. Yum! Please make these and send them to me at your earliest possible convenience...lol.

Happy Monday!

Chark

Can't Stop Coloring

I joined about midway through the current 30 Day Coloring Challenge at The Daily Marker and here are some things I haven't yet posted. I love watching/listening to the tv and coloring at night with a cup of decaf tea. It's kinda become a thing now.

Here's a page from this Adornit mini coloring book. The images are printed on heavy textured cardstock (suitable for watercoloring or markers) and I used my new Arteza brush markers on this one. I've noticed the markers are hard to move around once they're on the paper versus the Tombow dual tip markers, but the colors are lovely and you get a ton. These little books are 4"x 6" and they have a ton of designs. I have some images from other books up on Instagram @chark99.

I love the Arteza markers for lettering, I can actually pull off some kind legible script with them, perhaps because they are true brushes and not felt tips. In this card I wrote the sentiment with an Arteza marker and then fussy cut it out. I wouldn't attempt to write directly on a card, I barely pull off stamping directly on a card!

I won this adorable stamp set from the Your Next Stamp blog during the Coffee Lovers Hop. I used Prismacolor pencils on the images and the marker just for the sentiment. I stamped her in light brown ink.

Here's a close-up. It's a pretty simple design, but I wasn't sure what else to do with it, so I'm leaving it as is until some inspiration strikes...or I need a thank you card!

Happy Friday!
Chark

Watercoloring Makes Me Happy

Since watercoloring has become so popular in cardmaking, I've been having a ball with it. I never liked oil paints and acrylic painting can be fun but watercolors are so forgiving and that makes it a fun medium for me. Plus, you never quite know what it's going to do. With acrylics, you put the paint on the page and it stays right there. Watercolor paints creep and blend and sometimes surprise you.

I also love that you can get watercolor looks with inks, paints, sprays and markers.

Here's an Adornit watercolor card I painted for my aunt's birthday. So easy and fun to do. I tried not to get too sparkly, but I did add some stickles to the cake.

Have your tried the Adornit watercolor panels? I think I need more!

Happy Friday!

Chark