Horse Birthday Hugs & Wishes

Well, I should have titled this post "belated" as the recipient of this card had her birthday two weeks ago! I know you all *know* how it is - now that you stamp cards, buying one is akin to cutting off a body part! heehee

I stamped this horse image several months ago when we went to visit our cousins (you know, the CreativePlayStamps people). It isn't a CPS stamp, but I thought it was a beautiful horse image(edited to add - the stamp is by Serendipity Stamps), and of course, with Copics on the brain (a condition I am *thrilled* to have! lol), I knew this image would be great to use my Copics on.

So this past weekend, as we were driving to the campground, I worked on coloring a couple of these horse images. I simply *must* say again how I ADORE these Copic markers. I hope the shading and blending shows up for you when you click on the pic and see it a little larger. I was really pleased with how this turned out. When I look at it, I want to touch the picture becuase I think I will be able to feel the softness of the horse's head!

So how did I do it? I am sooo glad you asked! One of the many great features of Copic markers is their blendability. I began with a solid layer, except for the nose's white spot, of YR00. Yep - you read it correctly - YR00. When you color with Copics, you really want to soak the paper (and type of paper *does* affects this!), and soak it evenly. You can tell how even your soaking, I mean coloring is, by turning over your image and looking at the back of it. Then I covered over all the YR00, with E25 - many layers of it. Then I went back over the E25 with MORE YR00, but not coloring evenly this time. The lighter shade of YR00 pushes around some of the E25 color and creates the texture you see in my horse. I also used the YR00 to blend the edges of the E25 around the white spot, and to highlight the horse's eyelids and just under it's mouth to differentiate it from it's neck. Tip: Always remember to have several sheets of crap paper under the image you are soaking with your Copics!

Card Details: Stickles played double duty here as I used Cotton Candy Stickles to add a little more pink in, and then covered them with Microbeads for extra pizazz. I am happy with how the pink shows through the Microbeads.

Stamps: Hugs & Wishes (SU); horse image (Serendipity Stamps)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, and Loves Me DSP(retired) (all SU); Stampers Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU; Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics: YR00; E25
Accessories: Marvy Scallop Circle Giga Punch; Stickles - Cotton Candy; Microbeads, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals & 1/4" Rose Grosgrain (retired) Ribbon (all SU)
ENJOY!