Hello, Crafters -- Sharon Harnist with you today, to share some tips for coloring an underwater scene with Copic markers! So let's get started . . .
The stamps I'm using today are Essentials by Ellen Otterly Awesome and Otter Ware. I stamped them onto X-Press It Blending Card with Memento Tuxedo Black ink using my Misti, to create this cute underwater scene (the sand was hand drawn with a Copic Black 0.3 Multiliner pen). The top waterline was stamped with Memento Bahama Blue:
Color otter head above the water line with E40 and E41, with a little E42 shading. Color otter body under the water with darker combo of E42, and E43, with E44 shading:
TIPS:
- If objects are partially in and out of the water, color objects above the water lighter since they will have sunlight on them. Or color the entire object then use 0-Colorless Blender marker to lighten areas that are above water.
- In underwater scenes, keep marker color numbers smaller/brighter towards the top of the image where there is more sunlight coming through the water. Use larger/darker/more gray color numbers towards the bottom of the water.
Color shell with E00, E02, E04. Color sand dollar with C0, C2:
TIP:
- For underwater objects, use marker colors with watery blue and/or green undertones -- I chose cool grays for the sand dollar and bluish greens for the seaweed.
Color seaweed with G12, G14, G16 and G19. Using the same lighter colors (G12 and G14) color lilypad, adding in some sunny Y15 since it would be reflecting some sunshine:
TIP:
- Underwater: Keep lighter coloring towards the top of your images, since your light source would be coming from the sun above. Color objects darker towards the bottom, since less sunlight will reach them.
(Below): Color sand with a base coat of E42, then dot E43 along the top portion of the sand, to give it texture. Color more solidly towards the bottom of the sand, to create shadows beneath the otter, waterlily and seaweed since those objects would block the sunrays entering the water:
(Above): Give water a base coat of lightest B0000. I used the chisel tip, for a little quicker and more even coverage. Color directly over the top of the otter's body, giving it the appearance of being under water. Notice the otter's belly, hands and feet now have a bluish tint:
TIP:
- Color "water" directly over the top of any colored underwater images, which mutes them and gives them a watery look.
Next, use a little darker B000 to flick some shadows downward, directly underneath objects that are on top of the water (otter and waterlily). Again, color directly over the top of the otter's body, giving it the appearance of being under water. I was careful not to take the B000 over too much of the otter's darker shading -- just mostly his belly, hands and feet. Notice the otter's belly, hands, feet, and the shells now have a blue tint:
Use darker B00 to flick color upwards from the sand:
Deepen shadows underneath otter and waterlily with B02 and B04. Deepen area closest to sand with the same colors:
TIP:
- Keep water coloring lighter towards the top where more sunlight comes through, and darker towards the bottom where less light is reaching.
Make bubbles using the NEW Copic Sketch Fine Nib Replacement for your Sketch marker! This nib is firmer than the Sketch's brush nib and fits in the chisel end of a Sketch marker, giving you a finer detail option for your Sketch markers! Just hold the 0-Colorless Blender marker tip onto the water coloring for a few seconds. The blender solution will push the Copic color out of the way, revealing the white cardstock underneath, creating the perfect bubble!
TIP:
- Use 0-Colorless Blender to add underwater bubbles around objects, to show movement of the water. Optional (not pictured): Make additional bubbles with some of the same marker colors used in the water, to add to the realistic look.
Add Clear Wink of Stella for shimmery highlights to otter's nose, waterlily, tops of waterline, where sunlight would hit:
Add Copic Opaque White dots/dashes/swoops around and to enhance bubbles, and along the top of the waterline where the water would be disturbed by the otter and waterlily and also be catching the sunlight. Gives water the appearance of movement and sunlight reflection:
TIP:
- Use white gel pen or Copic Opaque White to accent bubbles.
To finish the card, the colored image was die cut with Lawn Fawn's Large Stitched Rectangle Stackables and clear sequins added around sentiment:
TIP:
- Do shading to your underwater objects with blues, since water will reflect its color onto the objects.
I hope you have enjoyed these tips and will give them a try with your watery Summer projects!
