Colouring on Kraft

Colouring on Kraft cardstock is still a relatively new experience for me but the more I do it the more I love it. It makes for especially nice Christmas cards and gives things that automatic vintage feeling. Be mindful though when colouring on it that itis completely different to colouring on your usual marker paper. Colours will automatically appear darker with the brown base, Kraft is also more absorbent so you will need to colour lightly and quickly to prevent bleeding. I have found it best to work from dark to light (darkest colour first, then medium, then light) as using a base layer of the lightest colour proves too much for the paper. Below is a short tutorial on colouring with Kraft using a Penny Black stamp from the clear stamp set Christmas Friends.
I have used the following Markers:
Ribbon- DR7, CR8, CR11
Cat- TN1, TN2, TN3, FS8, Blender
Wreath- DG2, DG4
1. Use the DR7 marker to shade the darkest parts of the bow and the edges of the berries.

2. Next use CR11 to blend along the line of the DR7 and colour a little further into the image. (please ignore the right hand side of the bow where I got a little carried away and added the CR8!!) Colour the remainder of the berries with the CR11 also.

3. Finish with the CR8 to fill in the remaining area of the ribbon, overlapping the CR11 to blend out the line.

4. shade the darkest parts of the Cat with TN3.

5. Colour a little further in the image with the TN2 overlapping the TN3. Use flicking strokes to simulate fur.

6. Colour in a little further with TN1 but do not cover all the remaining areas. Use the blender pen to soften and blend out the edges of the TN1.

7. Use FS8 for the ears and the pads on the cats feet. Again blend out with the blender pen.

8. Use the DG4 marker to shade the darkest parts of the wreath. I have followed the shading markings already in place from the stamp.

9. Finish with DG2 to blend the DG4. Do not be afraid to leave small white areas around the wreath, it will add to the depth.


Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial, this can be a more difficult technique to master but it is definitely worth persevering with:-)