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!