Distress Ink Marker Tutorial

Hi everyone, no card from me today, I think I out did myself yesterday, lol. I sat down to colour some images in and thought I'd do a sort of tutorial for colouring with the Ink Markers.

I appreciate that this probably would have been better as a video but, one I'm not very technologically minded, and I think I may be able to do the video OK, I'd get stumped on the uploading bit. Secondly, I'm from Hartlepool, a little town on the North East coast of England, about 30 miles south of Newcastle, but our accent does not have that twang, personally I think we have one of the horriblest accents and I'd cringe at the thought of my voice being out there, so it's pictures and writing from me.

I don't pretend to be perfect, and this is just the way that I colour. If it wasn't for other talented ladies putting together tutorials, videos and answering my questions I'd not be able to colour in at all, so first off I want to say thank you to them.

It took me a while to get started with the markers, I've used the inks for a few months, and I liked the smooth, relative whiteness of Hot Press paper, but when I've investigated the HP paper absorbs quicker, and I was finding this to be my problem, the ink was soaking in before I had time to blend. So, I bought some Canson Montval NOT (i.e. cold pressed) paper and wow, I am impressed.

I'm sorry, but this is a little photo heavy, I've tried to keep it to a minimum.

I've stamped Tilda with Daisy using Archival Coffee.

Go round the edge using Tattered Rose.

Then blend to the centre using a circular motion.

As the ink sits more on this paper, I find it better to do all of the skin or the paper tends to bobble.

Go round her hair line with the fine point of the Vintage Photo distress pen.

And any other bits that will be in shadow. Take your brush and using small circular motions, with a almost dry brush pull the colour out.

Then go round with tattered rose again, and blend to the centre, with circular motions using an almost dry brush.

I use Antique Linen as a base for her hair, start by going round the parts of her hair that will be darker.

Then, once again blend. I've also done her socks.

I've now started on her dress. Put the colour down on the areas that you want to be darker, I've used Weathered Wood, and then blend out. Don't worry about the shadows not being dark enough, this is only the first coat.

Blend using circular motions. I tend to work in sections.

The first coat of her dress.

Her bow is done, also in Weathered Wood. Her shoes have been done in Pumice Stone, and the daisy is Forest Moss, Old Paper and Wild Honey.

I like to use Frayed Burlap for the middle colour of her hair, I've used reinkers for this as I find the marker is quite a green colour and it just doesn't look right.

I now add more contrast, basically I go over the same areas I went over before, but I use smaller circles to blend, and don't blend all of the way out. So the lighter bits aren't getting any more colour on, but the shadow parts are. For fine detail, like the creases I use the fine end of the pen.

I've used the fine end of the Walnut Stain marker to add the third layer to her hair. Also, in the darker shadows I've put the smallest amount of black and gently blended in, just for a bit more depth.

If you want to add background detail make sure you draw right next to the image, I've used Tumbled Glass.

I then use a slightly larger, not quite as dry (but still not wet) brush, and blend outwards.

Here's my finished picture. If you have any question's just ask, click on the email link in my right column. Some of the pictures are a little blurry, but I was using my left hand for this.

I hope this makes sense, these markers are great for colouring, I actually find that I can colour in quicker.

Now for my disclaimer, if you are tempted to buy these, please do not blame me, lol.

Hugs,