Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Alice in Wonderland Redux

'Alice in Wonderland' was one of my favorite books when I was young, and I count the original illustrator, Sir John Tenniel, as one of my artistic influences.  I thought I'd see if I could bring some new life to one of his drawings.


Supplies
VLVS! Stamps Used:
Alice With Caterpillar - Item 19300 Plate 941
Mushroom - Item 19118 Plate 923
Small Mushroom - Item 19121 Plate 923
Leafless Trees -  Item 15881 Plate 1260
Tall Tree - Item 14917 Plate 1210

7Dots Studio 'Love is in the Air' 6 x 6 Scrapbook Paper
Sakura of America Standard Gellyroll White pen; Stardust: Golden-star, Sky-Star, Green-Star, Copper-Star, Red-Star
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers-BT7, CG7, CT3, DG3, OR1, TB3
Ranger Archival Black ink pad
Distress Vintage Photo ink pad

I often find myself using products in the same way over and over, and it's a shame.  The phrase 'thinking outside the box' is a cliched saying, but only because it is true.  For the month of November, I was challenged to use 7Dots Studio scrapbook paper and Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and it suddenly occurred to me that I could use them together.

You don't generally think of using alcohol markers on colored paper and, truthfully, I don't know why not!  Most of the colors are translucent so you can't use them on black or dark colors, but why not lighter paperstock?

I started with a sheet of 6x6 scrapbook paper in bright yellows and oranges.  I laid out the VLVS! stamps I'd chosen until I was satisfied with the layout, and I stamped Alice and the Caterpillar, and the mushrooms in black.  The trees I stamped in brown, so there would be a feeling of distance.  (NOTE: It is important that you do NOT use StazOn ink for stamping when you will color with alcohol markers.  The solvent-based StazOn will react and smear.)


Even without color, the scene almost looks finished with the 7Dots Studio background!  

I chose my Spectrum Noir colors based not only on color, but on opacity.  Rule of thumber-darker colors tend to be opaque, not allowing the background to show through at all.  Lighter colors tend to be more translucent, letting some background show through.  There are exceptions so I do recommend testing first.  Your colors might look entirely different based on the background behind it.

I had a scrap of the same 7Dots Studio paper and I tested several colors on it.  Most collections do have more than sheet of the same color.  If you don't have a scrap, then do some abstract images--lots of circles or stripes, and use your test sheet for another project.



I used a mix of Citrus and Dull Greens in the foreground.  The Citrus allowed a little of the background color through, but the Dull Green didn't. I used Citrus in the midground.  Both True Blue and Turquoise Blue were used on Alice's dress and for a touch of shadowing on the mushrooms.  Orange was used to color the mushrooms and the Caterpillar.  I used True Blue to border the entire page, but left the background uncolored for a mottled yellow sky.  Citrus Green was used for the tree's foliage, and I added some Dull Green shadows in the midground.

The biggest issue with using colored paper now presented itself.  Everything was too dark.  I had expected this, and had my gellyrolls ready to go.  I used white for highlights, and to tone down the Caterpillar and mushrooms.  I used the green Stardust all over the grassy areas to tie everything together.  The yellow Stardust was used for Alice's hair, and the center grass of the midground. I blue Stardust was used to even out Alice's dress.  Alice's skin tones were created with copper Stardust overlaid with white.

As usual, it was difficult to get to get a scan or photo that shows the sparkle from the Stardust pens.  They added a glitter that made the scene other-wordly and defined the magic that is Wonderland!



I hoped you enjoyed my Adventure in Wonderland!  

Viva Las VegaStamps! is having a swap with 7Dots Studio for the whole month of November!   and don't forget to check out the VLVS! November Challenge for a chance to win (plus it's fun!).

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Wonderland!For more of my work with Viva Las VegaStamps!, Amazing Mold Putty, zentangle-inspired art, and daily links to tangles, tutorials, and giveaways please visit my "Life Imitates Doodles" blog.   ~ Sandra Strait

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2 comments:

VicR said...

Oh, Sandra, I LOVE ur artistic piece! Gr8 stamp choices & paper used.
I love coloring with the different gel pens too -- only have the reg. stardust, but need to get some of those other colors u mention.
Thanks for the inspiration. Just awesome! :)

Tera Callihan said...

Fun piece :-)