Guest Tutorial: Coloring and Shading Flowers by Sharon Harnist April 17, 2012

Papercrafting designer Sharon Harnist, one of our Design and Education/Instruction team members, is back this month to share her tips for coloring and shading roses with Copic markers.

Flowers and botanical images are my favorite things to color and one of the most requested tutorials, so today I’ll show you a few tips for achieving realistic coloring, shading and shadows for flowers and leaves.

Roses:

1.  Stamp image with Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Copic X-Press It Blending Card.

2. Choose a 3-color blending group (here I used R20, R22, R27) and quickly base coat the roses with the lightest color.  You don’t need to be concerned with taking your time and coloring in small circular motion; you’ll be doing enough blending later!  You can even leave the a few areas white, like the very tip ends of the petals. Here, I’m using R20:

3. The illustrator will usually give you an idea of where the shading, or deeper/darker colors should be; those areas will usually be cross-hatched or indicated with lines or stippling. Color those areas with your mid-tone color (R22):

4. Go back with your first, lightest marker (R20) and blend the colors together:

5. Also, keep in mind that areas/petals that are closer to you will appear lighter and petals that are towards the back or bottom of the flower will naturally appear darker; color those areas with either your mid-tone or your darkest color (I used R22 and R27):

The rose on the left has the darkest R27 color added, while the rose on the right does not — you can really tell the depth this adds, can’t you?

6. Go back and add some depth to your mid-tones and deepest recesses of the flowers with your darkest color (R27). Also, where some petals cast a shadow on other petals, use your darkest color to indicate shadows. Blend with your mid-tone color, if necessary.

Leaves:

7. Again, choose a 3-color blending group (I used G21, G24, G28). Quickly base coat the leaves and stems with the lightest color in your blending group (G21), leaving a few white spaces as highlights if you wish:

8. Use your mid-tone color to add depth to the areas indicated by the illustrator (usually on the lower half of the leaf) and on leaves that are further away from you or towards the back of the plant (G24):

9. Go back and use the lightest G20 to blend the two colors together, if needed.

10. (Above) – Use the darkest color in your blending group (G28) to add depth to the leaves and where any leaves might be turned away from you, showing the bottoms of the leaves (where they would naturally have less sunlight cast on them). Do the same on the stems and other leaves, where some leaves might cast a shadow on the stems and leaves below them.

Note: White seam binding ribbon was custom colored with Copic R22 and R24 Various Ink Refills. Roses were cut out and popped up on Copic High-Tack Foam Tape.

Find more Copic papercrafting inspiration from Sharon:
Blog: www.PaperFections.com
Copic Color Gallery: http://www.copiccolor.com/SharonHarnist

Supplies:
Copic Sketch Markers: R20, R22, R24, G21, G24, G28
Copic Various Ink Refills: R22, R24
Stamps: JustRite Papercraft-With Sympathy clear stamp set
Paper: Copic X-Press It Blending Card; Lily Bee Design-Head Over Heels 6×6 Tiny Tablet;
Gina K Lipstick Red Heavy Base Weight cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic Double-Sided Foam Tape; Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles die; white paper doily; white seam binding; sewing machine + thread