Only every time I did this, the results were less than satisfactory. The multicolored images never looked as crisp and smooth and perfect as inking with a single inkpad did. The
This didn't stop me from buying the giant box o' markers from StampinUp for my 40th birthday, of course, or from buying the markers to match Memento inks when I went gaga for them.
This hobby turns us all stupid when it comes to hoarding stuff, doesn't it?
Eventually, I downsized my marker hoard again, keeping only a few of the SU markers and all the Memento ones, and storing them out of my immediate work area so they wouldn't be in the way.
While contemplating them for the Use-Your-Stash Challenge, however, I remembered one tried-and-true technique that I simply ADORE using markers for: thumping.
Thumping involves putting a light color all over a stamp and then tapping a darker marker over it in random pats. Then, you can either 1) huff on the stamp (exhale onto it) to dampen the inks, or 2) spritz lightly with water, which will blend the ink colors to create a lovely watercolor effect.
I hope you'll agree that thumping justifies keeping markers around. This lovely stamp (a very old Stampabilities one, I believe) is perfect for thumping. This image was colored first with SU Almost Amethyst, then Memento Bamboo was added to the stem and leaves, and then Memento Grape Jelly was thumped onto the Amethyst. A light spritz with water, and yay! A pretty, watercolor-y image!
After the image was completely dry, I stamped the sentiment in Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black...the dense and crisp ink contrasts nicely with the soft flower stem and is easy to read over it. Three rhinestones colored to match with alcohol markers finish the card nicely.
Not all stamps work so well with this technique, but it's my favorite with floral stamps for adding dimension and interest, even to very simple images.
Needless to say, I'm keeping the markers I have.
Do you like and use your markers? Are there markers that work better for you than others? What other techniques do you like to do with markers? Inquiring minds, you know....
Supplies
stamps: Stampabilities (discontinued)
ink: Memento Luxe black
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: SU and Memento markers, spritz bottle filled with plain water, rhinestones, alcohol markers for coloring the rhinestones
I have been scribbling on watercolor paper then spray it with water - its kind of a easy cool looking watercolor background or punch flowers out of it. But it might not be for the detail oriented person :)
ReplyDeleteVery pretty card, Susan. I do hoard markers, too, just as I am hoarding stamps and other crafting supplies. I love the look of water colours and I just had to buy some Letraset Aquamarkers but have not really used them as yet. I am currently trying to play with all of my colouring media because of Kathy Racoosin's 30 day colouring challenge, so I'mhoping this is going to change. Trying this 'thumping' technique is definitely on my to do list as well.
ReplyDeleteI tried the thumping technique 'once' but think I didnt understand what to do because it didnt turn out like yours. So will have to try again. I mainly have copics (which are nearly all empty and need refilling but the cost ahhhhhhh) I love love colouring in and I think I over use the copics, blending blending blending. At the moment I have a pile of sharpies that I am enjoying using to colour doodled flowers with lots of contrast colours.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Susan, I must try the technique you used. I've got the full set of tombow markers and I have tried using a few colours on one stamp but haven't liked the result. I haven't bought any alcohol markers yet as I tend to want to own complete sets..and copics have the most colours, so I'd have to spend a fortune! Have been thinking about the chameleon pens as they look interesting. Cathy x
ReplyDeleteI have a few SU marker sets - I LOVE them for thumping! I usually huff them - now I'm going to try the spritzing...
ReplyDeleteI also use the markers for colouring finely detailed images, and for word stamps - I like being able to "override" stamp pad ink to add a pop of colour.
I have a few SU marker sets - I LOVE them for thumping! I usually huff them - now I'm going to try the spritzing...
ReplyDeleteI also use the markers for colouring finely detailed images, and for word stamps - I like being able to "override" stamp pad ink to add a pop of colour.
Almost Amethyst was the best color. So was Creamy Caramel, Purely Pomegranate, and Close to Cocoa. Sigh. I've thumped, but have to remember to mist to get the beautiful watercolory affect.
ReplyDeleteLovely card! Thanks for reminding me about the thumping technique--I love the results!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! The only thing I tend to use my watercolor markers for these days is to color the edges of my diecuts and fussy cut images unless, of course, I purposely want white edges :)
ReplyDeleteHA! Do I have markers.....does a bear sh*t in the woods? :) -- I have every Marvy Marker they made, I have a complete set of SU markers from oh ...a long time ago, I have a bunch of Copics and oh yes, I won a set of Marvy Uchidas - oh yea and let's not forget the sharpies [I had to have], and finally 4 sets of Spectrum that my friend GAVE me. I use my Copics. I will retry the thumping technique since I really do.need. to use my other markers. If they are dried out, they go in the trash. Trick is using them to see if they even work.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love markers. Do I use them all? Well, no, but who does? LOL. Thanks for reminding me about "thumping." I love that technique with floral stamps.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful card, Susan. Yes, I have my markers, and yes, I "thump" with them. I also have this stamp:) I get rid of almost nothing!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card. Of course I have tons of markers......LOL
ReplyDeleteI do use this same technique, and have favorite stamps that I use for it, but I do agree that the water base markers are not my favorite. I do use them for mixed media because I can make then run with a little spritzing..........;))
Just tried thumping for the first time and love it. Thanks for the lesson! I still do use my SU markers for coloring images as I just like to color! I shade a bit with an aqua painter or using light and heavy touches. Haven't gotten into alcohol markers because of the expense.
ReplyDeleteMarkers...sigh. Have too many...but they sure seem to last a long time! Fell in love with them when I learned the Stamp-in-a-Hand technique years ago...made my work look so artsy...and I'm SO not artsy! Loved it...still do. Haven't tried that technique with my new Distress markers...bet they will be great!
ReplyDeleteI still use my water based markers to color, but I watercolor with them by scribbling them on an acrylic block and using a water brush to pick up the color. I start painting where I want the color more intense, then fade it out into the areas I want lighter. This technique is best with line art stamps. I have also used them to color a stamp with multiple colors, then use a fine tip water brush to activate the pigment and give the image a more watercolor-y look, but one that gives me more control than misting. I haven't thumped in a long time, but I need to give it another go soon. Something about that sentence makes me blush... anyone who read that comment out of context would perhaps have a totally inappropriate take on that ;-) BTW, I still have the Sir Mixalot song stuck in my head thanks to you! Not something you want to inadvertently start humming while on a school field trip or standing in line at the grocery store. Have to say I'm still wow'd that you even knew the song. Have you seen the spoof called I Like Big Books? A middle school has a video on youtube that does a good job at it.
ReplyDeleteGreat card, Susan, and appreciate the reminder to use the thumping technique. Must admit I own a set of SU markers and mostly use them to write my inside messages on cards so the color ink coordinates with my design. Also like to use my SU Spritzer with them for a cool splattered effect.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card & stamping. I've been doing this with my distress markers, but didn't realise it had a name! I've been going through a phase of using my distress markers at the moment, but I also love my ProMarkers. They have 3 nibs so you can get very fine detail :)
ReplyDeleteLove this look! Can't wait to try thumping! I'll have to see which of my stamps would work well with this. I'm with Karen, I didn't get that sentence right the first read through. Hate to think that's where my mind goes....
ReplyDeleteI have a set of Martha Stewart water color markers that I've had for years and years. I also have some Sharpies, Bics, a couple of Copics and the basic 72 piece Spectrum Noir set. I almost forgot that I have about 14 Distress Markers. I guess I have more markers than I thought - LOL!
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful! I have some SU markers. I mostly use them when I want to do stems in green, and flowers in another color. Sometimes I use them to make a two part sentiment two colors. I'll usually ink the whole thing with a pad, erase the smaller word with a blender pen, then re-ink it a different color than the rest with a marker.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried huffing or much of any kind of card making using markers or watercolors. Your card is beautiful and I am definitely inspired to try it. Thanks for sharing your technique.
ReplyDelete