Tree Coloring

First off, I wanted to say thanks to everyone for the comments you left on my previous Quick Process Post. I appreciate you taking the time to pop in and leave some love.  That was very sweet.  

So today, I have a new tutorial for you.  This is all about trees. I thought this would be a good one to show you because I've had several people write asking about the colors that I used.

Picture #1:  I will be coloring just the tree portion from the Sassy Sally's Winter Morning Social Digi Stamp.  This is a brand new image in the Sassy Cheryl's Digis shop and is probably one of my new favorites.

Picture #2:  Here is the digi portion of the tree as well as the finished version that I colored in the original illustration.

Picture #3:  Here is what you'll need. If you don't have the exact same brushes, pencils or markers you may use what you have available.  This is just what I used.

Sassy Sally's Winter Morning Social-or any tree image

W1 (Warm Grey No.1) -Copic Marker

(Faber-Castell  polychormos colored Pencils)

If you are using Prisma Color Pencils use the 2nd name which is in bold italic from the list below)

Bister, Bistre #179

Nougat, Nougat #178

Umbra Gebrannat, Burnt Umber #280

Walnubraun, Walnut Brown #177

#3 Round acrylic paint brush

#4 Flat acrylic paint Brush

Paper Towel

Gamsol

Picture #4:  I begin by coloring in the tree using the W1 (Warm Grey No.1) -Copic Marker.

Picture #5:  To figure out where I want to shade, I have the 'imaginary' sun coming from the top left of the image.  Keeping this in mind, I use the Bister colored pencil and lightly shade in the areas that would not have sun. Mainly on the right side of the tree and of course, under the birds and Sally's hand. There is no exact science to this and to be honest with you, I simply 'guess' at this.  LOL

Once I have the shading the way I like, I begin the blending. I dip my #4 Flat Brush into the Gamsol and wipe the excess on a paper towel.  I do not like a lot of Gamsol on my brush.  It is usually just a little damp.  You'll just kinda have to play around with it until you get as little or as much as you want. 

I pull the color away from the dark areas.  I am constantly wiping the color off of my brush, because I don't want too much of the color pulled at one time.  Remember, it's easier to pull more of the color, but once you start blending the color you can't take it away.  :)

The picture to the right shows what you should end up with or something similar.  Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect.  Just play around and have fun with it.

Picture #6:  Next, I use the Nougat colored pencil to add darker shading, and use the #3 Round  brush for the blending.  Use the same technique as before for pulling the color. 

Picture #7:  With that shading completed I still need it to be darker, so I use the Umbra Gebrannat colored pencil to add even more shadowing.  This time I use a combination of both the #3 Round and the #4 Flat brushes for blending.  I pull and sweep the color across the tree concentrating on the trunk of the tree where there would obviously be more shadowing.

Picture #8:  Then I move on to the last and darkest of the four colors. Using the Walnubrauna colored pencil I begin to add my final and darkest shading.  Again, I use a combination of the #3 Round and the #4 Flat brushes to do the blending. Use the same technique as before, pulling and sweeping the color across the tree and it's limbs.

Picture #9:  Going darker still, I continue using the Walnubrauna colored pencil and the same brushes and blending.

Picture #10:  Finally, I use the Walnubranuna colored pencil to add some 'strokes' into the tree for texture.

Picture #11:  This is the finished product.  It came out a little different from the original illustration, but you get the idea. . .and besides, no two trees are alike, right?!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  I certainly enjoyed putting it together for you.  Feel free to leave comments or suggestions if you like.  If you have any questions, feel free to post those here as well, or simply drop me an email.  I'd prefer you list any questions in the comment section, so that I may respond to benefit everyone.

And if you have suggestions on things that you'd like to see in future tutorials, list those as well.  

Have a fabulous Saturday.

Quick process.

Hey everyone. . . .and welcome to the new Illustrated by Cheryl Blog!  Lots of you have been writing asking me about my new found love of 'real' coloring and asked about how I do it.  Well. . . .that's what this blog will be about.  Process, tricks, tips and just all around fun chit chat!  I hope that you'll visit often, leave a comment or just write to say hi. . .because I'd LOVE to hear from you!!!

Now don't get excited just yet, because I don't have a video camera, but I'm hoping to invest in one soon.  So for my first post, I thought I would share some 'quick' process photos for you.  Kind of boring, I know, but I'll get better.  So don't fall asleep on this first post. . . .just run with me on this for now.  LOL

So, as most of you know, I create rubber stamps for Kraftin' Kimmie.  Have you all been to her shop?  Well, if you haven't, you need to pop over there.  She has some FABULOUS stamps from some AMAZING artists!  It's DEFINITELY worth the click!

This first photo is all three of the newest winter images that I did for Kimmie.  The set is called Lexi's Winter Fun and you can find them HERE.  And before you ask, no, they are not available as digi stamps.  Sorry.  :)

So, I have all three images ready to color, so let's get started.

Now, I don't know how many of you have trouble deciding on colors or a color theme for your images, but I know that I certainly do!  Many of you make cards with your colored images and use the papers sometimes as your inspiration, but I have to tell you about a book that you might want to pick up.  It's called, Color Index.  And it is WONDERFUL.  I have used it many times when playing with color in my digital work, but since I am now doing 'hands on' coloring, I use it right frequently when the right color combination just won't come to me. 

I have a screenshot here of just one of the pages, which only shows three color combinations, but it does go up to six.  I don't use it all the time, but it's a handy book to have around.  

 I won't show you my entire desk, but this is my usual set up when I begin to color.  Paper towels, acrylic brushes, stumps, Copics, colored pencils and Gamsol for blending.  I have these little containers that I bought at the Dollar Tree to hold my most frequently used pencils and then an extra one for the ones that I am using while coloring.  Can't stand those little suckers rolling all over my desk.  I'm sorry. . . .I'm just an organized artist.  Is there such a thing?  hee hee.

I usually tape my illustration down while I'm working on it, so I don't have to keep putting my fingers on it to move it around while coloring.  I also wear a smudge guard glove.  If you don't have one. . . you need to pick up one!  They are fantastic.  You can purchase them from Amazon, but I got mine here from the lady who created them.

Now that I have my image all taped down, I need to decide on the colors.  Since I am going to be doing all three as a set and selling them in my Etsy Shop, I am going to be coloring all three images using the same theme.  Here are the colors that I chose.

 And here is the image all colored in. . . .before the shading.  I hate it when it looks like this!  Don't you!!!!  So boring!

And, I promise that I'll share more process in the future. . . .just have to remember to take more photos and get better with the 'wording'.  Yep, I'm lazy, like that.  I totally admit it. But here it is, on my board. . . . .

and. .. .here it is, finished.  Just waiting for the other two to be finished to be listed in my shop. I'll try to take more photos during the next two.

So. . . .whatcha think?  Did I BORE you to death?  I sure hope not, but understand if I did.  

And you're free to leave comments, suggestions,. . . .I'd love to hear from you, good or bad.

Have a great Thursday. . . .until next time!

Happy Coloring!