This month’s Creative Challenge is called “Through the Trees ” and I love this theme.
Every week my fairy friend Freya ventures through the Enchanted Forest to find a perfect spot for fishing. But if you thought she was going to catch fish, you’ve got it all wrong. There are no fishhooks in Fairyland, only love for all creatures great and small. She uses her fishing rod to deliver some special treats to her fish friends in the lake.
Step-by-Step
- Step 1 First, stamp the Tree Den onto A5 size Multifarious card, using Versafine Clair, Fallen Leaves. As the tree is too short for the card, just turn your stamp upside down and extend the tree trunk. Use the same technique with the Tree Stem, stamping it twice in Versafine Clair, Pinecone. Next, put masking paper or masking fluid on the trees, to about halfway up. Now you can stamp Freya, also in Versafine Clair Pinecone.
- Step 2 Taking a waterproof pen, draw the fishing rod in her hands. A Micron pen in the dark brown colour works well.
- Step 4 Some rocks can be drawn with a light grey Micron pen. Don’t worry about getting them perfect first time, because any mistakes can be hidden when colouring them. We are going to make a beach, so just add some dots to define the wateru2019s edge. Now use the Leaf Spray stamp with Versafine Clair, Rain Forest
- Step 5 Add branches to the trees using the gorgeous new Vine Branch stamp. Stamp several of the Tree Scene in Versafine Clair, Shady Lane, to the far side of the lake, and then do several second-generation versions to create the impression of many trees in the distance. Also stamp a few Mini Leaf Creepers in Versafine Clair, Rain Forest.
- Step 6 To add even more trees in the distance, stamp the Forest Scene behind the main tree line, using second and third generation stamping to give a misty effect and create depth.
- Step 7 Since we are close to the water we need some Bulrushes, stamped in Versafine Clair, Pinecone.
- Step 8 And then in the misty distance, add the fabulous Far World Castle using second and third time stamping in Versafine Clair, Morning Mist.
- Step 9 We need some mountains on the horizon. One of the Lavinia Hill Masks is perfect for this, and you only need very little warm grey to get the desired effect. Next, add reflections of the small trees in the water by turning the stamp upside down. We donu2019t need to use any fancy tricks for these reflections, just be sure to do a second- or third-time stamp.
- Step 10 Remove all the masking and colour the trees. Choose a pencil similar in colour to the Versafine Shady Lane and make all the gaps green to give the illusion of a thick forest. Add colour around the base of the flowers and on the ground, using browns and ochre to get a sandy colour.
- Step 11 Add more colour to the trees, with a selection of dark browns, brown, reddish brown, and ochre. Keep the trunks dark in the middle, and towards the ground, and use ochre along the edges for a three-dimensional effect. Do the same for our wonderful Freya, using beige where the light hits her, keeping her back in shadow. Add a little colour to her wings but not too much because we want them to appear transparent.
- Step 12 Give the rocks form too, using dark and light grey, taking care to observe the same direction of the light as the rest of the scene. Then do some black to create more shadow on the bottom of each rock.
- Step 13 For the sky and the water, choose the Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. You only need a little, so as not to add too much colour.
- Step 14 Next, we need some highlights. Sometimes the white Posca pen is too wide and the white Uniball pen is too thin, so utilising both is a good strategy. Do all the vines and branches that the light would shine on, as well as the front edge of Freya. Let’s also put highlights on the castle and have lights in all the windows.
- Step 15 Using a grey pencil, slightly darker than the colour of the castle, create some little soft shadows. Put some white dots on the beach and draw lines in the water with the white Uniball pen.
- Step 16 You can use Posca pens, Gellyroll pens or your colour pencils to colour the flowers pink, burgundy and dark blue, varying the depth to create form. Choose a lighter shade for the Bluebells, and yellow/green for the Mini Leaf Creeper. Finally, add a white highlight on all the foliage.
I do hope you’ve enjoyed this Picture tutorial. Happy Crafting!