Copic Airbrush Mountains

I did a fall scene with the Serendipity Amish looking stamps with mountains done in fall colors. I have been wanting to do some calligraphy of the quote "The mountains are calling and I must go" and use it with airbrushed mountains.

I cut my mask for the overall shape using a Spellbinders die. I used double stick tape that I have then put on my jeans to reduce stickiness as an adhesive. For smaller masks, I use the sticky portion of Post It Notes.
First, I mask the mountain area and then airbrush the sky.

Next I move the mask down and do a distant layer of mountains. Since it is light blue, it is ok if some overspray goes on the sky.

I skip down one layer of mountains and begin masking the sky and distant mountains as I am using darker colors. I go back and add a light blue to that second layer of mountains. This isn't the best example in the world and I have not done my calligraphy, but it will give you an idea of how it is done if you are interested. You could do the same effect with ink on sponges if you don't airbrush.

Now, how do I get all this blue ink off of my fingers and fingernails....LOL!

Quiet Peace

Here is another winter scene and great verse from Serendipity. I used a Spellbinders die cut for the snowflake embellishment, but this is an example where the single bare tree could have been used next to the verse. The snowflakes stamped in the background were stamped using bleach. The sky in the scene was done with Copic airbrushing. K & Company embellishments were used in the shape of a triangle, which helps the eye move around the card. The curvature of the verse also echos the curvature of the fence in the image. I know most people do not break down these design elements. Normal people just look at a card and either like it or not, but most do not break down WHY they like it or don't like it.....but then, no one ever said I was normal! LOL!

Trick or Treat Bag

I love it when images come in two sizes, like this trick or treat bag from Serendipity. I airbrushed the background with Copics and then colored an extra bag to pop dot it over the original one. I used black button thread to echo the handle on the bag.

In this view you can see the depth of the pop dotted items. The stars and diecuts were done with Spellbinders die in the Wizard. I do so enjoy Halloween cards!

Peace & Love

Here is the first in a series of cards I made with the new stamps from Serendipity Stamps. I have a lot of new Inkadinkado stamps to play with too, so now I will get busy with those.

I have always loved the look of mountains in backgrounds (especially in real life!). I stamped all three of these stamps on one piece of paper (can we say simplify?) to create a scene and the verse all together on beige cardstock. I simply (catching a theme here?) tore paper to make a mask and then airbrushed the layers with Copics. Yes, I could have used chalks or inks stippled but the airbrush is so quick and I have it handy, so it is my first choice. I added eyelets and some black button thread on the side, layered it on a couple of pieces of cardstock and it was done. I did add a few leaves with a marker.

So many of the cards we see on blogs have layers on layers and intricate work....not this one. The airbrushing gives you depth and a look of layers, but this was one of the quickest and most simple of the fourteen I made with the new Serendipity stamps and I think it is one of my favorites.

This has me in the mood to see some mountains, so I am heading to the cabin, but I will post all the cards before I leave. Thanks for visiting!

Backgrounds

Continuing here with some of the new Serendipity stamps, let's look at some backgrounds. Above, the trick or treaters were given a background done with watercolor using a wet into wet method. I like the look of this for Halloween as there are colors when there is a harvest moon that you don't see at other times. I also like the look of the edges of a watercolor wash.

These bears make me think of my trip to Alaska. I didn't see any polar bears but I did go to several glaciers and would see the pieces of ice floating along on the water. I did get photos of a group of otters using the free transportation of a piece of ice floating near the cruise ship. I added salt to the sky background while the paint was wet to get the crystallized effect you can see above. I like to use watercolor for water because of it's fluid look as seen in the water portion of the image.

Here is another winter sky done with Copics and the airbrush system. I will have to try this image with watercolor also, but I like the fading look you can obtain with airbrushing.

This background was done with more than one color of watercolor. Well, as I have told you before, Picasa lets me post four photos, so that is it for today! Let me know if you have any questions....aren't you loving these new Serendipity stamps? I have new Inkadinkado stamps to play with too, also fall and winter themed. Stay tuned!

I love to color!

First of all, let's have a moment of silence for my new camera which I did not even have for six weeks before someone decided they needed it more than me last Tuesday, broke in my house (broad daylight) and stole it, along with my MacBook Pro and several other electronic devices and various pieces of jewelry. Hours of work editing photos also went with my laptop which had all my photos from Alaska on it. Numerous books on tape were on my Zen 30 gig and 60 gig mp3 players and all my music on my new iPod nano I had only a month. It is quite depressing so I decided I needed to do some coloring to try to cheer myself up.

So, here are some new stamps from Serendipity that I took with me this weekend while in South Carolina for my husband's family reunion. I also took my Copics and my watercolor. First, let's look at an image that I colored in all three methods. The image above was colored with Copics and then the background was airbrushed with Copics. I used post it notes to mask the pumpkins when airbrushing.

This example was done with watercolor paints on watercolor paper.

The image above was done with watercolor crayons used directly to the stamp and then watercolor paints to fill in missing areas.

I thought the blue sky airbrushing on this winter scene worked especially well. I think I will add some Martha Stewart Crafts fine crystal glitter to the snow for an icy look.

When I get new stamps I like to get to know them and color them in different ways. Some stamps look and work better in certain mediums but you don't always know until you try it.

I have many more images to share and then I will be making finished cards to share. I also have some new EK Success calligraphy pens I want to try out.

Even though the robbers did take one of my monitors I use on my desktop (as well as my external harddrive I use for backup), they did not take my desktop tower. Makes you ponder about what to do about backup though....anyone use Carbonite or one of the other backup systems? I always thought that having things on two computers was a form of backup, but if someone stole both computers you would be up the creek without a paddle. Thanks for listening to my whining, but it has been a very upsetting experience. My daughter calls me the "Queen of Electronics" and they really wiped me out.

Airbrushing with Copics wrapup

I mentioned earlier that I used the airbrush capabilities to color metal the color or colors I want it...above is an example of how I used more than one color to make this flower.

You can also use the space around a die cut as a mask for airbrushing. Above, it is very subtle, but I used the opening cut with a Spellbinders butterfly to create a shadow, making the image repeat to give the look of motion. You can see it around the butterfly at the top of the card.
Below, I used a mask cut from a nestability to create a design around the stamped and colored shell (Inkadinkado). The lower card was embossed only, the one on top simply airbrushed.

Below is a simple background airbrushed around a stamped image (Serendipity Stamps).

As you can see, airbrushing can be used in many ways. It is often very subtle and you might not even notice it, but it adds to the overall effect.

More Airbrushing with Copics

Here is a shot showing the trigger that you push when airbrushing. You just take the top off the marker and slide it right in the opening on the Air Grip. Push down that lever and as long as you have air, you will have airbrushing! I am using the magnetic spacer plate underneath to help keep the die template in place. The die doesn't move around like the paper mask will want to do. How close you hold the air grip will also determine how forceful the air spray is when airbrushing. Better to begin farther out and then move in rather than to begin too close and get a big spot that is darker than you want.

Here is a close up of using the die as your mask.

You can see on the example below that I do have one of those beginning darker spots than what I would really want. Once I stamp on the square or use it for layering, it will not be as prominent.

We are about ready to move on to coloring with Copics, but let me know if you have any questions about airbrushing with them.

Airbrushing with Copics

Copic has two Air Brush Systems available. You can check them out at the Copic website. You can also see a video about the new DVD on airbrushing that will be coming out this spring.
ABS1 comes with everything you need to get started and then you can then transition into using an air compressor. With it you get the air grip, air hose, air adapter (it is attached to the air grip in the above photo), a can of air (Air Can 80 - not the one pictured above...it is also available in a larger size too), and an air can holder (a foam holder to set the can in when using it to keep it from tipping over). The air adapter is what regulates the flow of air that goes into the grip. The hose connects the canned air to the air adaptor. You simply slip the marker into the grip, open up the valve to release the air and push the trigger with your forefinger.
ABS2 is more of a "see if you like it trial". It does not come with the air adapter. The D60 can pictured above has it's own regulator. If you like the process and results and want to do airbrushing with a compressor, you will need to purchase an Air Adapter.

Air compressors come in the small version (pictured above) that artists often use and the larger models that you will find in workshops or for house painting, etc. The smaller compressors come with a smaller hose, which usually will fit into the Air Adapter. The larger models of air compressors have a larger hose and you will need a connector to size down from the larger hose to the smaller nozzle on the Air Adapter. This can all be very confusing, but if you are going to airbrush with your Copics, you will save a lot of money by getting a compressor. If you don't use it much, you can stick with the canned air.

Above are some examples of airbrushing using Spellbinders die templates. Since their die are open (unlike other companies die), you can use them as a mask to airbrush through. The ink does get on the die, but it cleans off great with the EZ Tool Cleaner that Inspired Crafts makes. I really like this all purpose cleaner (great for scissors, cutting blades, rubber stamps....and die!). It cleans great and doesn't leave any greasy residue.
You can see above that I used a die to emboss only (around the shell), another die to cut out an opening (I can use both the cut out and the opening portion) and a border die for the decorative images.

The original Copic markers and Sketch markers are the two that can be used in the airbrush system. Ciao markers do not fit. Thus, I do not own any Ciao markers....they also contain less ink, so you have to refill them more often. If you are using the markers to just color with, the Ciaos are fine.
You might ask, doesn't airbrushing use a lot of ink? Actually, not as much ink as coloring uses. A fine mist of the ink will cover a large area of paper compared to coloring where the ink sinks into the fibers of the paper.
Notice also that I did two types of airbrush spray around the shell. The chisel point (comes on both of the types of markers) does a fine mist whereas the brush (comes on the sketch markers) does the "spattered" look.
I use the sticky portion of a post it note to make a mask for my stamped image. Simply stamp the image on the post it note, cut it out and you have a mask to save the white of the paper.
Let me know if you have any questions....more will be coming.