Distress Ink Colouring Tutorial

For those of you who would like to try colouring images using the Distress Ink Pads ; or Distress Ink Refillers: here is the tutorial that you wanted.
I have taken pictures after each step, so that you visually see what I'm talking about in the process.

Obviously, I will be explaining the steps I usually take, and the specific inks I have used THIS time. You are encouraged to use your own creativity in the process. It is important though to get everything near you before you start; and have a piece of white cardstock and tissue paper nearby. When you colour, always remember to start from the lighter shades.

In this process I will be using a Magnolia (Tilda) image,Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink Pads, Distress Stickles and Fiji waterbrush. All materials are available here


Off to start now! :)

1. Choose the Designer paper/s and cardstock colours you will be using for your project. Individualise the main colours; and select the pads/ inks. Try to limit your selection to maximum of three colours (excluding flesh colours). Prepare different shades of those colours' and put away all unnecessary inks from your workplace.
In this particular project, I chose green and pink as the main colours. Browns for hair and tag.

2. For me it is a rule to ALWAYS try the colour each time I pick ink with the brush. I do this on a scrap piece of white cardstock; before actually putting the colour on the image. This will prevent me from having to start all over again when the colour gets too strong.

Sometimes if you are using one of the darker shades, you'll find that certain types of cardstock absorb the colour quickly; and if you don't blend or try the colour before; you may not be able to make the colour light enough as you may wish.

Always work from the outer edge to the inner area (centre). This will give the image (especially body parts and rounded objects) a 3D look. You may find it helpful to start noticing how shades look in real life when you are outside, especially in the sunlight. You also get to decide where/ from which direction you want the light to come from.. if it is from a particular side, or from the front. That side has to be lighter than the rest of the image.


3. It is time to start colouring. I always start from the flesh colour : Tattered Rose.
I cover the whole face, hands and every part of the body that shows: feet etc..
Leave to dry, and meanwhile colour another area.
I chose to make her dress green. So as I explained, I covered that area with the lightest green: Shabby Shutters. Consider this to be like a foundation .. the base (like when doing make-up)> It has to be very light and even.



In this particular project, I decided to make her socks and matching top pink, so I covered them also in Tattered Rose ink.

4. While leaving those areas to dry, I decided to make the base colour for her hair. It is best to work on an area that is not too close to those parts you had just coloured. This is because many times if you use too much water, or have common cardstock (I don't find watercolour paper here.. which is the best for water-based inks) colour tend to run.. and you will end up with a mess!
I used Scattered Straw, and left some areas in white. I made this because I would like to have a shine in her hair. I covered also the tag in this colour; as you can see.




5. Now the base colours have dried, so I can start adding some depth to the first parts I coloured. I started with the pinks, using Worn Lipstick. I made her cheeks (as we said.. working slowly.. blending the colour on an extra piece of cardstock first, as it is quite a strong colour. When I was satisfied with the cheeks, I shaded her socks and top, and light shade on her hands.



Remember that you can always click on the pictures for a better view.

6. Now I added some depth to her dress and hair, using Peeled Paint for green, and Brushed Corduroy.. on different parts of her hair. Notice the shades. The parts of hair that are curled inside, and the hairline are coloured darker than other parts.



At this stage I used also other brown shades on her hair: Frayed Furlap, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo .. I have also worked on the tag, mostly with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo.
Last shades of brown were done with Walnut Stain. This ink is to be used for the darkest shades of brown. I leave it for very small selected areas.




Last but not least, when I add some more shade .. and re-touch other areas.. (till I am satisfied); I highlight with a white gel pen some folds, cheeks etc.. Then I added some bling with the Tim Holtz Distress Stickles. I touched the bow on her hair and the seam of Tilda's dress. I love those Stickles! They are awesome, matching exactly the inks' colours.


This is the final result of my sweet Tilda. I hope you find this tutorial helpful. Please use it as much as you wish, and I hope that you'll feel free to ask me any questions you may have. You can do this in the chat box you will find in my sidebar. You don't have to have a Blog to write in it.



Have a lovely time bringing these babes to life!!


Thanks for looking

Blessings
http://craftingmagic.blogspot.com