Polished to Perfection

Copic Airbushed Twilight with Stampscapes

From Sunset to Twilight and all the hours inbetween I can't stop thinking about the Copic Airbrush Possibilities.I have always loved Stampscapes stamps, but I must admit the past three posts are actually my first venture into designing with them and as you can see I am totally thrilled - OH NO!! NOT ANOTHER GOTTA HAVE IT ALL MOMENT!!! Yep!!

I started this card by purusing the stampscape website and lesson section and decided that I would try my hand at using the Copic airbrush system to try to create the effect that they were achieving with ink and I was amazed at how easy it was to airbrush this scene.  Many of you have asked which colors are the best for using in the airbrush system?  The answer isn't simple - it is really a personal preference based on your color palette and the your desired end effect.  In yesterdays post I used very pale colors to achieve my beautiful sunset, but here I used a darker selection of Copic Sketch Markers.  I am still experimenting with a variety of stamps, styles and techniques to determine my personal recommendations in the intirum I will try to always post the colors I have used in any particular project.

To create this card I used the following Copic Sketch Markers: 0 - Colorless Blending pen, B06, B29,V09, and 100 black.  I also used the following Stampscape Rubber Stamps - The small lakeside Cove 048E, Oak Branch 203G and cat tails.  I used a 2" x 2" square of stampbord which I stamped with a versamark watermark pad and embossed with super fine black ranger embossing powder.

To airbrush the image I began with B06, near the tree line I laid in a very light coat and got progressively heavier as I approached the top of the sky.  Then I repeated this technique in a mirror image on the lake. Next I airbrushed in B29 leaving the area near the tree tops simply airbrushed with B06. then on the top 1/4th of the sky I airbrushed in V09.  Mirror image the airbrush colors in the lake.  To create the clouds in the sky I used my blending pen in a circular motion, which made fluid and removeable some of the color I had airbrushed in.  Using my scratch tool, I highlighted sections of the trees and rocks.  Then I scratched in highlights in the water. 

Next I added in the cat tails stamp and embossed in black embossing powder (make sure that your stampbord is dry before adding the cat tails) Now scratch in the North Star and it's corresponding reflection.  Scratch in a few smaller stars.  Using Black 100, I then airbrushed around the entire edge of the stampbord.  I cut a mat for the stampbord square from Black Kromekote. 

Now cut a  3 3/4" x 5 " mat of Murdock Country Creations Turqouise Polished Stone Paper.  Use just the edges of the Oak Branch stamp I add branches to this mat.  Stamp and emboss in black.  Using an opaque white paint add highlights to the trees and add stars to the Turqouise Polished Stone Paper. Mat with Black Kromekote and place on a A2 size card made from Deep Sea Polished Stone Paper.  Now enjoy the Twilight!!! For tons of instructional information visit the Stampscapes Rubber Stamps website. There you will also find a complete listing of stores that carry Stampscapes Rubber Stamps.

More Beach Memories

For those of you who have never used stampbord, you are in for a real treat.  Ampersand Art Supply makes these beautiful clay boards, which you can stamp on and then scratch into the surface to create highlights or add detail to your image. I love dimension and this is a great way to add embellishments to your cards and scrapbook pages.  Give your old stamps new life on a new stamping surface.  Stampbord is available in a variety of sizes including coasters,and jewelry boxes.  To create this card, I used Murdock Country Creations -Meditation Scenic Paper.  I cut out the seagull from the paper, placed it on chipboard and placed it on the card. The summer sky stripe is from The Paper Company and the polished stone paper is Robin's Nest from Murdock Country Creations.  To make the stampbord embellishment, I used a make-up wedge to randomly apply three or more shades of blue ink to the stamboard.  Using the wedge I smoothed out the ink and heat set it.  Remember that the clay surface is not like stamping on paper and even dye based inks will need to be heat set before moving onto the next step.  Next I stamped and embossed the image with Ranger extra fine detail black embossing powder. Using the scratch tool, I scratched the image creating areas to leave white and areas to add color to. I used my Copic markers to color the pylons, starfish and life preserver. This stamp has been in my collecton for awhile, it was a design from PSX, I believe it has now been picked up by Inkadinkadoo.

                              

For the second card , I used the same paper and switch to a circle stampbord.  The verse is one of my favorites from Impression Obsession. The sandcastle is from Ann-ticipations. There is something so calming about the roar of the oceans surf. I used gold foil tape from Ranger to trim the outside edge of the stampbord.