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Inspiration

Whew.... have I been inspired this week!!!  These new Spectrum Noir markers are a BLAST to color with.  But this particular image inspired me quite some time ago when my blog buddy Melanie of Paper Blessings by Melanie colored this gorgeous Chrissy Armstrong image.  The minute I saw this beauty the quote from Twilight popped in my head:  "And so the lion fell in love with the lamb."  I just KNEW I had to color this one.  But I didn't;  I've been sitting on this one for awhile and finally pulled it out for none other than my fellow Spectrum Noir teamies!  We've been in a discussion this week about how the Spectrum Noir markers work for hair.... because Spectrum Noir markers don't have brush nibs.  Well.... hair is sort of my thing and these markers make hair a snap!!!  Really, could there BE a more perfect image to show how these wonderful markers perform?  Check it out!!!

I began this gem by coloring in the entire lion using the chisel tip in the lightest color GB2.  I used the chisel tip because the coloring area was larger than most.  And yes, for those of you who know my coloring style.... I BEGAN with the lightest color first!!!  Yay me!!!  I'm finding that with Spectrum Noir markers, starting with the lightest color when doing hair works perfectly!!!

Next I used GB6 and flicked small and long lines around the inner and outer edges leaving the center light.  Honestly, these two steps by themselves makes for a pretty good looking lion... but I wanted him to be REALLY gold!!!  And because dark always makes light visible, my next step was to define my shadows.

So all I did for this step is to outline where the shadows would live throughout this lovely lion using EB5.  Once the areas that I would shadow were defined, I then continued flicking with EB5 just as I had with the previous color.  I only flicked where I had placed the dark line.  You can see where I started flicking at the top by his right ear.  The flicking subdues the actual line I drew.


I then took EB8 and further darkened the edges where I wanted my shadows to be the darkest.  I used a combination of stippling and flicking to blend the dark brown into the medium brown.  I finish the lion off by flicking GB10 to add more gold accents into the lion's mane.  This final step also helped to blend the light gold colors with the brown colors since GB10 is goldish-brown in color.  To finish him off, I used IG2, IG6 and IG10 to color in his nose and I called him done.

While I like lines in my coloring, those who like more of a blend could go over the ENTIRE lion image again using the GB2.  Be sure to go over the whole image only once and very lightly.  Key word here is LIGHTLY.  Pressing too hard or applying too much ink will actually skew all those beautiful flicks that makes the hair look like hair.  A quick, light coloring is all you need.... and let the image develop.  The Spectrum Noir markers blend on their own.  For those who are new to alcohol ink markers... they are magical!!!

Okie Dokie, that's it for my hair tutorial.  I will be sure to do another one in the next few weeks using one of the cute Swalk images I just got.  Those cuties are PERFECT for practicing hair!!!

Have a great one gang.  I hope this one inspired you.

Comments

Wellllll the reason that quote stuck with you is cause Edward's better! LOL!!! I know that will get you going! LOL!!! But you know I'm right! LOL!! LOVE YOU!! I loveeeeeeeeee this too!!! Soooooooooo gorgeous!!!
Marijo said…
I love love love this lion!! Great job. I might have to try out these new markers.
Scrappychick said…
Totally awesome Danielle!
Krista said…
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!
Unknown said…
Now see, all of the coloring you did in elementary school has finally come full circle. Anyday now, you should be receiving your coloring degree. For You Have Hit It Big Girlfriend. You are AWESOME!!
Unknown said…
So gorgeous and a great step by step!
hugs
Sandie x

Past 7 Days....

My Favorite Things Birthday Give-Away!!!

IT IS ON! Ok... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! I get to give stuff away! And not just ANY stuff.... MY FAVORITE STUFF!!!! Well, not ALL my favorite stuff, but certainly my favorites for at least ONE of my obsessions: NAILS!!! Maybe next year for my birthday I will be giving away craft supplies and exercise equipment... that would be AWESOME!!! But, this year's birthday give-away is HUGE with my favorite nail and beauty products and is open to ALL my followers. You guys are the best and deserve the best, so here is what ONE lucky winner is going to score: The Prize Haul: Konad Nail Art Stamping Set - Coraline I (I am addicted to Konad and I LOVE this set) Konad Nail art image disc - M63 (A little something extra from Kathleen... thank you) Fragrance Oil Set, types: China Rain, White Linen, Obsession (I love these for my relaxing baths) Nail Aid Nail Treatment Set including: Pink Natural Growth Therapy, Instant Wrap, Clear Liquid Bandage, Cuticle Cure, Peeling Nail Intense Repai

Make It Crafty Blog Hop

Woo Hoo!!! Isn't this hop AMAZING!?! All the projects on this hop are incredible!!! If you are mid hop, you should be arriving here from Carisa's awesome blog, WELCOME! If you haven't started this hop from the beginning, you're definitely going to want to.... so many prizes in store!!! Click HERE to start at the beginning. Prizes Up For Grabs 1st prize - Rubber Collection (Peaches of Plenty, Petals and Palings, Daffodil Dell, Ivy Swing) 2nd prize - Whole Digital Collection (10 digital stamps) 3rd Prize - Four digital Stamps from the collection The hop will end Friday 24th and the main winners will be announced Christmas Day! Random winners will be announced at a later date. How To Play Along Along the way, look for puzzle pieces. They won’t be on every post so you need to keep an eye out for them. The puzzle pieces make up one of the NEW images. At the end of the hop there will be an email form where you can submit your answer. This is so that your answer is private.

THE Spectrum Noir Blog Hop You Don't Want To Miss!!!

Welcome to the very first Spectrum Noir Blog Hop EVER! And we are celebrating BIG TIME!!! Wait till you see what's up for grabs!!! Wait till you see all the amazing projects the design team put together for YOU!   If you are new to blog hops, simply visit each of the blogs below in the order shown and leave a comment on each designer's post finishing the hop at the Spectrum Noir Blog. Danielle Leann Angelique Linda Jennie Louise Kristine Marcea Taylor   Suzanne Cyndi Wendy Jacqui Spectrum Noir Blog When you arrive at the end, be sure to leave a comment on the Spectrum Noir  Blog telling us one fun new thing (tip, trick, interesting combination of colors, etc) you learned about the Spectrum Noir markers while hopping with us this week.  A random winner will be drawn using random.org at 9:00 AM GMT, Saturday, June 23, 2012 and posted at  Spectrum Noir .  The winner will have one week to claim their prize and will win a full set of 72 Basic Spectr