Coloring Tip: The Secret to Beautiful Colored Backgrounds (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil, Distress Ink)

Coloring Tip: The Secret to Beautiful Colored Backgrounds (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil, Distress Ink)

Are you a fan of simple backgrounds?

I am too. If I’ve spent hours coloring with my best Copic Marker and colored pencil skills, I want people to see the coloring.

But simple doesn’t have to be boring. Let’s look at how to create dynamic simple backgrounds.

Coloring Tip: Student-Grade Watercolors Slow the Learning Process (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Student-Grade Watercolors Slow the Learning Process (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

It’s your first real watercolor project…

You’re finally going to learn how to combine watercolor paints with colored pencil for realistic or artistic coloring. So you pull out the cute little set of watercolors you ordered from a scrapbooking website. You’re ready to watercolor!

Except you don’t have…

Coloring Tip: Leave Air Space for Light and Delicate Flowers (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Leave Air Space for Light and Delicate Flowers (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Do your Copic Marker or colored pencil flower projects look solid, heavy, and unrealistic? It might not be the colors you’re using, perhaps you’re coloring too many spaces? Lightweight natural flowers have gaps and airspaces between the petals. To add more realism, leave more spaces.

Coloring Tip: Don't Talk Yourself Out of Realistic Shade Colors (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Coloring Tip: Don't Talk Yourself Out of Realistic Shade Colors (Copic Marker, Colored Pencil)

Copic Markers and colored pencils are big, mean bullies!

I’ve been teaching artistic coloring classes for over a decade and I’ve got to say, it’s pretty rare for me to meet a new student who isn’t afraid to take control of their colors.

Do you let your supplies run the show? Then your coloring is flatter than it ought to be! Let’s look at why and how to fix it.