Spectrum Noir Tutorial Sillhouette background.

So today is my turn to share a tutorial over at the Spectrum Noir Blog, if you would like to find out how I created this funky little background that YOU can create with your pencils and blending fluid, click on the link here

 

It works perfectly in conjunction with the Die'sire Christmas range, I couldn't resist this beautiful Nativity scene.

 

 

Don't forget that it's not just a technique for Christmas, try using pastel colours and adding a fairy for instance!

 

I love to see what you create with your pencils and today I am in the shop for our Macmillan Coffee Morning, so bring your colouring along and let me see your creations, there is a great raffle and you could also have a go at decorating your own cupcake, I will be on hand to offer any advice you may need (on colouring not decorating the cakes!!!)

 

Thanks for stopping by today,

 

Happy Colouring

 

Nicky x

Fairy sure I love these stamps!

 

Good morning everyone, today I want to share a recent commission card that I made, I had no brief whatsoever, but knew that the last Sara Burrier card that I shared was popular so I chose another of her stunning digi stamps, you can check them all out here.

 

I of course used my gorgeous Spectrum Noir pencils, and thought I would give you quick step by step skin and hair tutorial.

 

 

Firstly I started by putting in the shading, why do it first I hear you ask? because it cuts down blending time later! I used 088.

 

 

Next I used 008, going into the white area a bit more blending over the first pencil as I go along

 

 

Then I went over these with 005, again blending into the second colour and then added 004 as the last skin colour.

 

I then went back in to really deepen the shadows with 109, but was very sparing with it. 

 

 

Then her hair...after colouring her ear (bet you didn't even notice!) I started by going all over with 084, pressing slightly harder in the darker areas.

 

Then onto 088, this acts as a link between hair and skin!

 

Then I used 095 to really darken the shadows, I don't tend to blend hair I think it looks more natural without.

 

 

Then I finished colouring the image in shades of blue and turquoise

 

 

The rest of the colours are:

Dress: 062, 064, 063, 055

Bodice: 050, 052, 055, 063

Wings: 061, 056, 055

Moon: 074, 055

Ribbon: Spectrum Noir Marker IB2

 

I hope you are all loving your pencils as much as I love mine, and remember to practice lots, as you can't improve a blank page!

 

Happy colouring

Nicky x

 

 

 

 

 



Friendship - it's a challenge!

Wow, its September, Happy the little peeps are back to school and life can get back to its usual routine? I know I am!

 

So what does this month have in store?

Well there is a new challenge over on the Spectrum Noir Facebook page, this months theme is:

 

Friendship

 

The design team have been hard at work creating some beautiful cards that you will get to see over the next few weeks and here's mine!
 

 

The image and friendship poem are from Lili of the Valley, and the papers are a My Minds eye 6 x6 paper pad called In Bloom.

 

I just love this little poem, I for one am very lucky and have 5 of the best and most wonderful friends anyone could wish for, and these words make me think of them instantly.

 

I stamped onto Neenah Desert storm paper with brown Memento, and coloured in with my pencils,

the colours are:

Skin: 001, 008, 091

Hair: 001, 004, 006, 085

Dress: 001, 028, 032

Socks: 001, 031, 032

Bear on Drawers: 001, 089

Drawers: 001, 101, 102

Bear hug: 001, 110, 111

Background: 001, 009, 115

Shadows: 102

 

I also coloured the ribbon with a SN Alcohol Marker CR2.

 

Don't forget there is a prize for the winning challenge card so get those pens and pencils out and join in, you can add your card here!

 

I'm going to finish today by dedicating this to my friends, Rita, Teresa, Wendy, Maggie and Rose, I love you all to the moon and back, Mwah xxx

 

Happy Colouring

Nicky x

Autumn Apples

Good day my fine fellow crafters, can you believe its nearly September already? It's certainly feeling autumnal, and so thoughts turn to harvest and harvest festival, traditionally celebrated here in England throughout September, I used to love the service the little ones used to do at primary school,  although I was one of the totally unorganised mothers who scrabbled around the back of the cupboards on the morning to find anything suitable, and in date!!  and then of course sitting in church hoping no-one would notice what produce my lot were traipsing in with!

 

 

So with that in mind, todays card is Harvest Fairy Apple from Mo's digital Pencil. I have coloured him with my Spectrum Noir Pencils.

 

 

Not wanting to quite let go of summer just yet, I have used The Freshly Picked stack of papers

from Die Cuts With a View 

I also used my bunting Epiphany tool from Crafters Companion,( my favourite one!)

 

 

The Spectrum Noir pencil colours are:

 

 skin 023, 009, 005, 091

Hair: 087, 096, 104

Nickers: 056, 058

Wings: 017, 047

Leaves: 056, 050, 058

Apple: 017, 056, 020, 024, 027, 033

 

 

Happy autumn everyone but most of all...

Happy Colouring!

Nicky x