Hi friends! This is marker week here in the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom and I (Carolyn Peeler) am really happy to walk you through a few techniques with Distress markers.
First, let's walk though some basic 'getting to know you' questions about the Distress Markers (please tell me I"m not the only one who now has the "getting to know you, getting to know all about you" tune running through my head after reading that sentence, lol!):
Q: What kind of marker are Distress Markers?
A: They are water-based dye inks which are also water reactive.
Q: What is the nib type?
A: Distress Markers have a brush and fine tip.
Q: Do they have any special properties?
A: They are totally blendable and also water reactive.
Q: What kind of surface do they work best on?
A: They work on any porous surface, but if you are using the markers with a great deal of water, watercolor paper is the best bet.
Q: What techniques do Distress Markers work best for?
A: You can use Distress markers for many different techniques including: direct to stamp, watercolor, creating backgrounds, and coloring images.
Q: Are Distress Markers difficult to use and would you recommend them to a beginner stamper?
A: Just like any coloring medium, Distress markers take a bit of shading know-how in order to get the best results. However for backgrounds, watercolor or direct to stamp applications, Distress markers are great for every level of crafter from the newbie to the seasoned vet.
Q: What colors would you recommend to someone just starting?
A: I think that the answer to this question is different for everyone. You should purchase the colors you use the most. If you color a lot of dogs and cats, purchase the browns and blacks. If you color a lot of flowers, then you'll want to pick up the greens and your favorite shades for blossoms. I will admit to owning the whole collection and I enjoy having the entire catalog of colors available to me.
Q: Why do you like these markers?
A: I am currently enjoying a love affair with watercolor - or watercolor looks - and I love using Distress markers in those applications. I have also used them extensively in direct to stamp applications.
So now that we have the basics of Distress Markers under our belt, let's jump into today's project!
This adorable card features imagery and a greeting from the Essentials by Ellen "Sock Monkey Surprise" stamp set. Using the Tea Dye Distress ink marker, color the image lines and stamp it onto watercolor paper.
Next, I used the Distress marker line to watercolor paint the monkey. First, I colored the markers onto a paint palette - you could also color onto plastic or the Ranger Craft Sheer. All these surfaces create the perfect base for picking up the ink with your paint brush. In this first time lapse, I am using the Tea Dye marker.
In this time lapse I am adding the darker brown (Vintage photo) and a grey (Weathered Wood) - to create the shading which adds depth to the image.
Before filming the time lapse shown below, I used Worn Lipstick as a watercolor to color the mouth and cheeks of the monkey.
In this time lapse I added the blacks directly with the Black Soot marker.
The balloons were the next card element that I tackled and they were also colored with the Distress Markers, but this time using a different technique. For each of the balloons first I stamped them by coloring with the Distress markers directly onto the stamp. Then I colored directly onto watercolor paper with the markers. Notice that I only colored onto part of the balloon. The area I colored will be the darkest area of each balloon and the other areas ends up lighter when the color is dragged over to them. After coloring, use water and your paintbrush to spread the color as seen in the timelapse shown below. The balloons were colored with Fossilized Amber and Picked Raspberry.
After the balloons are dry, cut them out with the matching Sock Monkey Surprise die. Then, using tape or glue attach kitchen string (or bakers twine) to the backs of the balloons to be their tales.
Next we'll work on the sky background. This one is simple and fun - Using a Ranger Craft Sheet color with your markers directly onto the sheet. Color going dark to light, top to bottom. The colors I used were: Salty Ocean, Broken China and Tumbled Glass. After coloring, mist with water then drag your paper across this water/ink mixture. Set aside and allow to dry (or dry using a heat tool).
Cut a strip of this awesome striped paper from the Cute Girl 6x6 paper pad and glue down the left side of your card front. Then, using the Mama Elephant Borderline Trio dies cut a piece of vellum and attach on top of the striped paper using a sewing machine and white thread.
Using Tuxedo Black Archival ink stamp the 'cheer up' greeting on the front right of the card as seen here. Then, using thin (low profile) 3d foam squares or mounting tape attach the balloons to the card front. To attach the monkey use normal profile 3d foam squares
or mounting tape.
And with that, you're done! Super cute little guy who is ready to brighten someone's day!
Thanks for your visit, here are the direct links to the products used in today's project:
