Ten days and counting ladies! Ten days until you will get to see all the new images Karen has drawn for us to play with. I am going to add that they are not all butterflies, but I just can't help myself yet and continue to be enamoured with them! I LOVE the butterflies.
Yesterday was a simple, quick design. Today I went all out and went for complexity :D I thought I'd share the whole creative process with you being that I'm starting my write-up at a reasonable time - LOL! (That time being before midnight :D)
It all started with the Basic Grey Perhaps paper as inspiration. I wanted to share a more elaborate version of what these butterflies could be. I went in search of a small, overall paper design that was an appropriate scale, to be my inspiration when I spotted two large random designs. A lightbulb went off! Why not perch the butterfly on a large blossom, or hide it amidst an array of blossoms. So I stamped my butterfly in Palette Noir black and began my coloring process. I must say that I am VERY pleased at how the Palette ink held up to my coloring with the Colorless Blender as well as the color markers.
As you can see I selected markers that were reminiscent of the colors in the Basic Grey paper. With the yellows and browns I layered colors to arrive at the correct end color, first laying down the lightest color and then coming back over the top with the darker or complimenting color, if one was available. I colored little swatches below the image so that you could see the original colors I started with. I have a total of 32 markers I am currently working with; Sketch, Original and Ciao. I hope to give you a total breakdown as to what I like about each so that you will be able to determine better what would work for you. Being that I only had one red/violet color I used the colorless blender to add dimension to the shapes I colored with that marker. The Perhaps paper has variation within the colors, so I tried to emulate that look in the butterfly.
I then selected some darker toned Prismacolor pencils to add another layer to the colors in the butterfly and bring them closer to the colors in the paper. I felt that this worked really well to pull the two together and gave me courage that I don't need all 330 Copic Markers to create with - LOL!
Here is my finished butterfly just as I was ready to cut it out. After coloring with the pencils I added a hint of the Sakura glitter pen - I wish I could capture the shimmer this adds to this little creature.
Now is where you are really going to laugh - I got ambitious - yes, me - LOL! I pulled out my sewing machine!!! The Perhaps paper was just begging to be "quilted" - ha! ha! I ran my sewing machine around the exterior edge of the flowers that I wanted to draw attention too and add texture too as well. Julie Stainton has done a WONDERFUL tutorial on using your sewing machine - it is a must read IMO!!! Next, I made little wire antennae, added some Basic Grey ribbon and a Karen Foster brad, layering this all on top of a Memory Box note card. The big finale was approaching - I decided to add a Basic Grey rub-on being that the swirl just felt right. Well darn girls - I thought I had it all rubbed down nicely, but when I pulled up - drat it - the "birthday" portion pulled up and was wonky. Yep, I like the word wonky - it's the only word I can use to describe that sucker. In hind sight I wish I had just left it off - oh well, what's a girl to do?!?
So there you have it another butterfly to inspire you in your future creations.
Totally gorgeous! Love the paper, the colors, and the butterfly--especially how you colored him!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | April 06, 2007 at 09:45 PM
GASP, Oh my GOODNESS, this is through the roof fabulous!! I'definitely have to read the link later (that's one of the reasons I don't get through my blogs. I go to the link, read the referenced article, then start looking around that persons blog. I get LOST and forget what I'm supposed to be doing, LOL, TFS.
Posted by: Juanita | April 06, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Girl...it's gorgeous! Like all you do. I am drooling over your copic markers. I will need to save up for those! :)
Posted by: Beate | April 06, 2007 at 05:27 AM
You are just sooooo talented with the coloring....this little butterfly appears so amazingly real! Totally gorgeous card!
Posted by: Barb g | April 05, 2007 at 03:39 PM
PERFECT place for a butterfly - WONDERFUL colors! Thanks for all of those great tips!
Posted by: Linda Beeson | April 05, 2007 at 01:17 PM
Ellen you never cease to amaze me. I love how you have made the butterfly look as though its wings are quilted. What an awesome card. Can't wait for more previews and the 13th!
Posted by: Angie DiMeglio | April 05, 2007 at 10:33 AM
I'm all over these butterflies! You're right... I have not seen ANYTHING like these designs. Stalking until the 13th... You girls have outdone yourselves this time!
Posted by: Kiko | April 05, 2007 at 07:30 AM
Amazingly gorgeous Ellen! Thanks for the glimpse into your creative process. I really feel like I'm learning from a master. These glimpses really help spark my own creativity!
TFS!
Linda
Posted by: Linda (LSN on SCS) | April 05, 2007 at 06:25 AM
Your butterfly is beautifully colored and mounted (I never get tired of butterflies), and I love the sewing you did!! Gorgeous!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | April 05, 2007 at 05:25 AM
This is a stunning card! I just love that Phoebe paper! I used my sewing machine last night too....and NOT for clothes!
Posted by: Michele | April 05, 2007 at 04:58 AM
ummm that's flutterING...duh lol
Posted by: trudee | April 05, 2007 at 04:18 AM
wow that butterfly is awesome flutterung around in the land of Phoebe! :)
Posted by: trudee | April 05, 2007 at 04:17 AM