This class concentrated on different ways to use your markers, in ways that you probably wouldn’t think of straight away. It also concentrates on the very basics of alcohol markers; specifically the Altenew Artist’s Markers, so it’s a great base from which to explore this medium.
The variety of techniques in this class take us away from the classic smooth blended colouring that you may expect when you think of these markers, and whilst I do love spending a couple of hours with my markers and a beautiful floral image, I decided to do something different this time! (In fact three different approaches!!)
I wanted to create a design using alcohol markers in a completely different way than I normally would and once I had done that I was having so much fun that I decided to create two bonus designs showing a couple of alternative ways to colour the same image.
Creating A Fun Abstract Background
I started with an A2 panel of 80lb Neenah Solar White and very lightly drew horizontal lines every 1/2inch down the whole panel; whilst I didn’t want this background to be ‘perfect’ I did want to just give me some guidance to keep my rows straight.
I only have the three set basic pack of Altenew markers (though I DEFINITELY want to get more!!) So I chose the Mango Smoothie and Cotton Candy markers and began making some very roughly rectangular shapes with them. I used one colour to each row and offset them to the row above. I just continued in this way until I filled the whole page.
Once I had finished those I grabbed silver, gold and white gel pens and started doodling onto some of the shapes randomly. I just went for it, without over thinking it, which is not my usual state in the slightest!! ?
On some more 80lb Neenah I doodled some really loose flowers and leaves using the two markers I had already used and adding a Frayed Leaf one too. I added really loose outlines to each flower & leaf; I purposely drew these outlines quickly so that they were sketchy and that way I didn’t have the time to overthink them.
I finished the card off with a sentiment from Mega Label Love, some Nuvo drops and a black doodled border.
Same Image Two Ways
I stamped out some images from one of my smaller Altenew sets, Sunlit Flowers. This was part of a card kit that I got earlier this year; in fact it was the same kit I got my Artist Markers from also. I wanted enough images to make two cards.
Whilst the ink on those dried I grabbed a ruler, card panel and some different shades of green & turquoise Copics and started to just draw random lines straight across the paper. Once I felt that I had got enough lines to create a nice background, I trimmed the panel down to give me two strips that I could lay horizontally on my card but with the lines going vertically instead.
Then I set about colouring my flowers! I decided to do the first lot of images using a no blend, colour layering technique. I did this using just those two markers from before; I did two layers with the same colour and then added the other colour as the third layer. (I did two flowers.)
The most important thing to do with that technique is to leave the area to thoroughly dry for a minute or so, before you add the next colour otherwise it will begin to blend.
This is a super easy technique and is a really great way to explore the world of markers.
I coloured the flowers for the other card in another method which may just be even simpler!
I added all the colour onto my image with dots; I concentrated more dots in the areas of the petals that would be in shadow, allowing them fade out as I moved up the petal. This technique is perfect to do with Altenew markers because they have an amazing brush nib on one end and the other is a smaller nib which is great for more detailed work and also dotting!
I even allowed the ink to dry and then added additional layers on top; this allows the additional dots to keep their shape, rather than blending in with the rest, and also deepens the overall colour.
I finished both cards really simply with a strip of my handmade patterned paper, with a thin strip of black cardstock either side. I added simple birthday sentiments from the Birthday Greetings set, along with my flowers, some foliage and shimmering clear confetti sequins!
Isn’t it amazing that all three of these cards were made with the same three colours of Altenew Artist Markers!!! I love how different they all are and I actually had a lot of fun going back to basics with my markers.
Hey Crafty People!
Please be aware:
As part of my Design Team and Guest Design work I do often receive free products to use, but I only ever recommend products that I genuinely love.
Also, I know how incredibly lucky I am to have these opportunities, but you don’t always NEED the newest products or the ‘full set’.
So please don’t feel that you need everything.
I like to show a variety of brands and products; this way there will be something for everybody to enjoy.
— SUPPLIES —
— My Basic Supplies That I Use On Every Project —
MINI MISTI Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Alt | SBP | Trinity |
MISTI – Original Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Alt | SBP |
Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: Scrapbookcom | SBP | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US |
Neenah 80lb Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Alt | Craftstash UK |
Neenah 110lb Shop at: Alt |
Gemini Jr Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK |
Tim Holtz Trimmer 8.5inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Trinity |
Tim Holtz Scissors 7inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US |
Tim Holtz Mini Snips 5inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US |
Tidy Tray Shop at: Trinity |
Pick Up Stick Shop at: Trinity |
Reverse Action Tweezers Shop at: Scrapbookcom | SBP |
We R Trim & Scoreboard Shop at: Scrapbookcom |
Pressure Tool Shop at: Trinity |
Mini Trimmer Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US |
9.5 inch Shears Shop at: Craftstash UK | Craftstash US |
Bone Folder Shop at: Alt |
Self Healing Mat Shop at: Alt | SBC |
*Affiliate links are used, where available; this means that I may get a small commission if you purchase using one of these links, at no extra cost at all to yourself. A huge thank you goes to anyone who does purchase using my links, it is so highly appreciated.
— SUPPLIES —
— My Basic Supplies That I Use On Every Project —
Affiliate links are usedMINI MISTI Shop at: Scrapbookcom | PBP | SBP | Trinity |
MISTI – Original Shop at: Scrapbookcom | PBP | SBP |
Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: Scrapbookcom | SBP |
Gemini Jr Shop at: Scrapbookcom |
Tim Holtz Trimmer 8.5inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom |
Tim Holtz Scissors 7inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom |
Tim Holtz Mini Snips 5inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom |
Tidy Tray Shop at: Trinity |
Pick Up Stick Shop at: Trinity |
Reverse Action Tweezers Shop at: Scrapbookcom | SBP |
We R Trim & Scoreboard Shop at: Scrapbookcom |
Pressure Tool Shop at: Trinity |
*Affiliate links are used, where available; this means that I may get a small commission if you purchase using one of these links, at no extra cost at all to yourself. A huge thank you goes to anyone who does purchase using my links, it is so highly appreciated.
- Altenew Artist’s Markers – Basic Set (Mango Smoothie, Cotton Candy, Frayed Leaf)
- Altenew Sunlit Flowers stamp set
- Altenew Sunlit Flowers Card Kit
- Altenew Birthday Greetings stamp set
- Altenew Mega Label Love stamp set
- Neenah Classic Crest – Solar White 80lb*
- Neenah Classic Crest Solar White – 110lb (*Use code natashapapertree for 10% off)
- Uni Pin Black Fineliner 0.1
- Uniball Signo Broad White gel pen
- Uniball Signo Gold & Silver gel pens
- Versafine Onyx Black ink
- Nuvo Antique Drops Black
- Kat Scrappiness Shimmering Clear Sequin mix
- Copic markers
- Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive
- Arteza – Foam Adhesive tape
Gorgeous Tasha! Love both!
Thanks for the inspiration! Beautiful cards
Thank you for your kind words 🙂
These are both gorgeous and absolutely incredible the differences with the same markers bit different techniques! I’m definitely going to have to try them!
Thank you so much Michelle! You’ve made my day!!
It is incredible isn’t it, just how much difference you can get with the same markers!!!
If you do give it a try, I’d love to see what you make!! ?
Brilliant job! I love everything you shared. A very well-written post too!!
Thank you for entering your work to the AECP assignment gallery.
Thank you Erum, that means a lot! ??