Hop Art Studio

Colonial Spring

 

I wanted to share an image that I colored in with Copic markers. This is a gorgeous stamp illustrated by Gary Robertson for Impression Obsession Colonial Spring.

I'm not planning on making this into a card but thought it would be beautiful framed instead. When you are coloring a detailed image like this you really need to stop and take a moment to plan out what colors you are going to use.

I used only 9 Copic markers. Something that you need to keep in mind, that helps unify the artwork, is to introduce the same colors used in one area into another area.

For instance. The house in the background has red brick. So I continued that same color down into the path. This draws your eye to the front of the scene. Since the path is in the foreground I introduced more details. (Objects lose detail the farther they are away.) You can see the different reds in the brick. Plus, I added W3 (Gray). But I didn't stop there. You can see that the flowers are the same yellow as the house, plus they have some red. The flowers in the foreground are more vibrant. With the flowers in the background having W3 added over the tops.

   

The fence is easy! Don't color it in and then just add some shading using E47! It's a wonderful contrast to all the darker colors around it. And it really pops!

Impression Obsession is doing something really special this weekend. 25% of all sales will be going to their fabulous Design Team as a thank you. Free shipping on orders over $30!  Impression Obsession was one of my first design teams and I love all of their stamps!

Impression Obsession

Copic Markers: R59, R35, Y38, G24, G94, YG95, W3, E57, E47

Orange and Black

So I'm in a Fall kind of mood. Got in the swing of things yesterday and created two similar color themed cards. So I thought I'd share both of them today.

The first one is fairly simple.

I used a Michaels $1 stamp of pumpkins I found. I colored them in using 4 Prismacolor markers - Canary Yellow, Spanish Yellow, Orange and Terra Cotta.

I first did a base coat of Canary Yellow. Next I added Spanish Yellow, allowing the Canary to show through as the highlights. Orange is next and then Terra Cotta along the edges.

Again, just a little bit of shadow added around the pumpkins with my Cool Grey 10%.

On the next card I used Impression Obsession's MC149_Build_A_Tree. This is a really versatile set. I just knew it would be fun as a Halloween tree.

The bones and the saying are by  Hambo_Stamps. I used a white gel pen to color in the bones. How did I make the tomb stones? Glad you asked! I used a stencil I made using SU! window punch. I placed the stencil over the paper and colored it in using my Prismacolor grey markers. And guess what? That's how I made the moon. I used a circle stencil I created and colored it in with my Prismacolor marker. Oh yea.!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far. I know I sure am.

From Our Home

I wanted to create something other than a card. Was in that kind of mood, KWIM?

This is a really cute, versatile set by Impression Obsession called From_Our_Home. It includes six really cute stamps. The mouse, candy, snowflake, ribbon and two sayings.

I bought a small notepad by Mead and by lifting one end of the wire on the coil, I  was then able to unwind it from the paper. I covered the front and back with scrapbooking paper. Then I punched the holes back in. I stamped the snowflakes using gold ink on the front and back covers.

Stamped the little mouse and colored him in using my Prismacolor pencils. Cut it out.

I used another great set (one that I'm really loving!) by IO Express_Yourself to stamp the background words on the brown. Christmas is one word from the "Merry Christmas" saying.

I added Diamond Glaze and Liquid Applique. (Add the Liquid Applique after everything is glued down. Also, add the Diamond Glaze after you heat the Liquid Applique.)

Recoil the wire back on the notepad. And attach the ribbons.

Ribbons from Michaels. (Sorry, I don't know by who. I just pick up ribbon whenever and take them off their spools.)

Ballerina

Okay, I'm going for the subtle look. Did I get it? Gosh I hope so, 'cause sometimes even the simplest of ideas can be a bear to create!

I started out with this great idea to use vellum behind the main layer, the dress. I cut it, stamped it (well, stamped and cut and stamped and cut it!) to fit. Then I realized that my Xyron machine is packed away in storage. Arrgggggggh! How the heck was I gonna attach it? Okay, I'm vellum challenged!

Okay, now for plan #2!

So I took out some shimmering white cardstock and cut it, embossed the saying in white and added some decorative edges with my scissors.

I stamped the dress by Impression Obsession, All_Dressed_Up on watercolor paper with Stazon black. I then stamped the dress again on vellum.

I watercolored in the dress using a small sable brush and dye inks. I then used my Prismacolor markers and added some color to the back of the skirt I had stamped on vellum.

I cut out the vellum skirt and glued it to the watercolored dress. (Just add a small bead of glue at the top of the skirt, where it meets the bodice.)

Saying is also by Impression Obesession.

ATC Believe

ATC's are so much fun to make.

This is a stamp that I've used before by Impression Obsession, Kiss_Me. I just love this little mouse!

A sweet new member of the CHF Design Team, Anne_Sanborn, hosted a ATC swap. This is the first one I've done in a very long time, and it was really fun.

I stamped the mouse using Stazon black and watercolored him in.

(Remember to click on the images to see  them in a larger size.)

Well, we went to our property yesterday and  walked in some of the other homes going up. There's wonderful new landscaping going in the common areas, along with a ton of beautiful Oaks, Crape Myrtles and Willow trees. It looks so pretty. I can't wait until they stake off our home and start working on the foundation.

Meanwhile, I'm having fun walking through the other homes on the street and seeing their progress. Can't wait until it's my home I'm walking in!

Sheltering Tree

Friendship is a Sheltering Tree. What a lovely saying. It is part of a very cute set by Impression Obsession called Build_A_Tree. (Clear Polymer Set)

I love the fact that this is a clear set because it made it super easy to see where to stamp all of the leaves.

See that cute scallop? Well, that's another very versatile set that everyone needs to own. Clear_Stamp_Set_Borders. Again because it's clear I could place it exactly the correct distance from the edge of the paper. And It can also be bent! Oh boy the possibilities are endless.

I stamped the cute little owl in brown then I went back over him using my Prismacolor marker to add some detail (All the dark areas). I then outlined the tree using my Cool Grey 20% marker (Oh, I just bought Cool Grey 10% and it is soooooooooo perfect for that oh so subtle shading.)

Don't forget to leave a comment on the post below. You have until 12 noon (EST). I will announce a winner tomorrow.

Happy stamping!

Inspire

Inspire. Such a wonderful word. I find myself drawn to it often. Using it in my artwork. Hoping that in small ways I inspire others.

I found this cute board booklet in my LSS. It's by Creative_Imaginations, Veronika gift card holder.

I covered the front and back with papers from Basic Grey Infuse pad. I glued Martha Stewart's twill brown ribbon onto the spin. Before gluing the papers on the covers I distress them and stamped some fun images from Impression Obsession called Flourishes.

The flower stamp is by me and you can find it at Cornish_Heritage_Farms. I stamped it in black and colored it in using my Prismacolor Markers. I only used the markers as a base color. I watercolored in all the details in the flowers and the shadows. I then splattered some brown acrylic paint all over the image.

Inside covers, I used Martha Stewart paper with some Basic Grey. Stamps are by Impression Obsession, Stampin' Up! and Hero Arts. And of course a pic of my cute boys!

I hope I have inspired you today.

Believe

I had a chance to play with the new stamps from Impression Obsession. This is another one of the cute mice they have. You can find it here My_Sweet_Friend.

I stamped the image using Stazon Timber Brown. I then used various Stampin' Up! dye ink pads to watercolor in the stamped image. I don't use an aquapainter. I use several sizes of sable brushes and water when I watercolor in an image. (Tip: I use a brush dipped in clean water to first wet in an area before I apply the color.)

I also used white arylic paint. I applied it on the fur lined hat, dots in the eyes and frosting on the gingerbread man. I used plum arylic paint on the gum drops and his eyes.

The flower brads were originally black. I took my Prismacolor Gold Metallic marker to add some character. The background was created using 3 different stamps by Impression Obsession.

You have got to check out IO clear word stamp sets. They are awesome! I used the word believe from the set  Express_Yourself.

IO Flower Trio

I had fun coloring in this pretty stamp by Impression_Obsession. There's really something calming about coloring. It's almost like when you were little and spent hours with your Crayola crayons and a coloring book.

Oh I remember I had this Archie's coloring book that I loved to spend time in. Veronica, Jughead, Archie, Betty and Reggie ( http://www.archiecomics.com/ ) Remember those? (Oh wait, that's dating me now, isn't it? LOL)

I first colored in the stamped image using my Prismacolor Markers. Then I added more depth and detail using my Prismacolor Pencils. You know what I love about using these in combination? They match! Yep, and the pencils add an extra layer of vibrancy. Gotta love that!

I stamped the background in using the Small_Butterfly by Impression Obsession. Aren't those brads cool? I found them at a cute shop in Daytona Beach.

Well I'm getting antsy here. I have some new stamps coming and I just can't wait to play. Ain't stamping grand!

Celebrate

Oh I'm doing good with my Christmas cards. I'm still trying to get a few done a week.

I stamped Holly_Vase using Achival Graphic Black and heat set it (Okay, I'm being extra careful...lol.) I then used my Prismacolor markers to color in the holly leaves. I used 3 different greens. Which greens? Well, you chose. Why? 'Cause I want you to experiment with what you already have, not run out and buy something else.

I then colored in the vase using Canary Yellow and Spanish Orange. I didn't color in one side, leaving a highlight. Then I added some Brick Beige to tone it down. Then I added a shadow on the other side of the vase using Cool Grey 20%.

I cut out the image and used my postage stamp decorate scissors around the edges. Then I took a piece of acetate and cut out a window. Placed it over the image and sponged around the inside edges. 

The shadow beneath the the vase is created by using the negative space left out when you punch an oval. I place that over the image, where I want the shadow and color it in using my Prismacolor marker. Cool!

The saying is by Impression Obsession.

Hope everyone is enjoying my new farm images. Remember, the sale ends on Thursday. (Erin K just shared this with me - "you can order all the animals and one backgrounder for 35.09 getting free shipping" Thanks Erin!)

New Cattty

Remember this cute mouse stamp? Well, it's now available, along with all of his cute mice friends.

You won't want to miss scrolling through all the pages of the new designs available.

So follow the link below to get to Impression Obsession and take a peak.

You won't be disappointed!

http://impression-obsession.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=NEW

Peace on Earth

Here's another one of the cute mice that Impression Obsession will have later this month. Oh I can't wait to get more of them! Seriously, how cute!

I stamped the mouse using black dye ink. I then colored him in using my Prismacolor pencils and Odorless Thinner. Remember when you are coloring in with Prismacolors to do one layer at a time. Building, blending, and building more layers on top of each other. Don't be afraid to experiment with your color choices. Have fun.

I added some snow details using a small sable brush dipped in white acrylic paint. I used this on the hat, scarf and snow. It's fun to try different things.

The mouse, swirls (stamped in gold) and saying are all by Impression_Obsession. Love the red background paper. It has a shimmer to it and can be found at The_Paper_Cut. (I have their Color Shade Chart and it has real cut out samples of their papers. Man it's cool!)

Well, I'm off to see what I can spend my 40% off coupons at Michaels today. Let's just say, I have a clue...hehehehe

Candy Cane Mouse

Love the little mouse series that will be coming out soon at Impression Obsession, July 23. They are all so cute! http://www.impression-obsession.com/

The backgrounder is stamped in Olive and accented with a red pencil. You can find it here Swirl_Background.

I stamped the mouse using Stazon black and then heat set it. (I do this just to make sure it's completely dry.) I then used my Prismacolor Pencils, odorless thinner and blending stumps to color it in. I started with the browns and pinks. Blending them together then adding in the shading. I used my Coluzzle Oval template and cut him out.

The saying is also by Impression Obsession. Ribbon found at Michaels.

 

Sneak Peak Impression Obsession

Sneak peak at Impression Obsession's new Fall and Winter line coming out on July 23.

I stamped the image using Black ink on Kraft paper. Then I colored in only the leaves using Mellow Moss SU! marker. I then colored in the image using my Prismacolor Pencils. After the image was colored in I then took a white Prismacolor pencil and started to color in the background.

For the orange background I used IO awesome clear stamps. I'm getting more use to using these types of stamps. The best part was that I could position all the words on a clear block like I wanted. Then turn the block over and see where I wanted the words placed on the background. You can find the stamp set Family at Impression Obsession beautiful site.

I layered 3 ribbons together, twill is by Martha Stewart, the rest Michaels.

Well, we have decided to go ahead and build our retirement home. We saw the floor plans that the architect drew from our ideas and they blew us away. The builder we will be working with is amazing. This is a once in a lifetime chance for us and we just don't feel like we can pass it up. Today we will meet again with him and his wife to let them know that we have decided to step forward.

Big decision for us, but I feel it's the right one. Now we just have to see what we are going to do about are stuff in storage. We will need to make a decision come the end of July. It won't fit into the Condo we are in. (Mind you I don't own a lot of things, at all. But the condo is smaller than the last home we owned.) So much to do and think about over the summer.

But lots of exciting things ahead for our family.

Freshly Picked

Whew! What an exciting weekend of non-spot stamping I had. I'm glad I had my eyes checked before I left Cali. (Yep, I need reading glasses! He suggested bi-focals, but I'm just not there yet...lol.) And boy did I use those little glasses a bunch.

This is one of the new stamps that I got from Impression Obsession in my box of goodies when I made the design team. This stamp is designed by Alesa Baker (Ahhhhh Ha...see any similiarities in our first names? I get called Alesa all the time plus my name gets mispelled that way too! Asela, Alesa...just different placements of the letters. Too funny!) Her illustration style is really adorable.

You can find this stamp Freshly_Picked at their wonderful online store. You'll also have to get you hands on their catties. OMGosh are they not just the best!

The background is another wonderful, versatile stamp by IO Solid_Leafy_Border. Saying is also by IO Greetings_Galore. (I'm glad I recieved a sampling of their clear stamps. They are too die for!) I was impressed by the quality of the clears and how perfectly they stamped the very first time.

I stamped the image using Stazon Black on watercolor paper. I then used a small sable brush and my dye ink pads to color in the image. All papers by SU!. Inks by SU!.

I will be sharing more and more of these wonderful stamps as the weeks follow. Plus, some sneak peaks at their new line! Coming out very soon.