Saturday, October 15, 2011

Marker shading video and tutorial

Some of you have asked about my technique for coloring and shading with Touch Twin Markers, so I thought I'd share some thoughts here with a quick tutorial and video example. BTW, if you ever have questions, feel free to email me or leave a comment!

For each color area, I usually choose 3-4 colors that range from light to dark in shade.

Next I decide where the area should be shaded and where it should be highlighted. As a general rule for me:

Shaded areas:

  • areas that appear to be further away or curving away
  • areas that are lower
  • areas that appear to be behind something else
Highlighted areas:
  • areas that appear to be closer or curving toward me
  • areas that are higher
  • areas that appear to be in front of something else

I've just chosen a simple image to color to demonstrate the technique, but the same principle would apply for a more complex image with more areas to color in. The stamp image I used is called Teapot, and comes from Impression Obsession. These are the Touch Twin Markers that I used:I always begin coloring with the lightest color. I start my strokes from the areas that will be the darkest, working the color out toward the highlighted areas. The places that I want to remain the lightest I leave uncolored at first.Next I begin at the same points using the medium shade, going in the same direction and with the same motion, but not covering the lighter areas completely. After that is done, I work out from the same places, using the darkest shade(s).

When I'm done with the darkest shade, I repeat my shading again with the medium tone, to blend the dark and medium colors together. Finally, I repeat with the lightest color to blend all the layers together.

Here is a video for the visual learner:



(This is my first video, and the length of 2 minutes seemed to work pretty well for our upload speed here in the sticks! If there are other 'quick' techniques you'd like to see me demonstrate, let me know.)

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6 comments:

  1. Three colours - you make it look so easy. I think I've been stressing over nothing making it more difficult than necessary! I also think it's because you are left handed :D
    heehee!
    BTW, that tiger is gorgeous - and love the cutting and popping up tip. I recall you also did with it some flowers. Lovely effect!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Heather in Montreal, Cdn

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  2. Now this I think I understand! Thank you for showing the work in steps! Great tutorial!! Blessings to you!

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  3. Great tutorial. Thanks, I am a visual :)

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  4. Thank you for such a clarifying video. I also like your instructions but the video made everything very clear. I have started to purchase the Touch Twin Brush markers. I would like to see what colors you would use for African American skin tones. Thanks for all your inspiration.

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  5. Where do you purchase the markers?

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    Replies
    1. You can find them at dickblick.com or carpediemmarkers.com

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