Stampscapes - Moonlight Tutorial

Good Morning Chicks!

I'm going to walk you through my moonlight scene for the March challenge over at Craft A Scene  I hope you'll be able to follow what I've done in the photos because the lighting isn't the best at home.


Step 1  -  Build the scene

I started by using the Country Stream stamp with Archival Black ink and Hero Arts clear embossing powder.  I find that Hero Arts is nice and fine so works well on detailed images.

Using tacky paper that I bought on a roll from Crafty Capers in Nanaimo I punched out a small 1" circle and stuck it down for the moon.  You will notice that I only did that on one card.

Let the image cool after embossing and then tap in some Lemonade with a ColorBox stylus or sponge tool of your choice.  I have also found that embossing the stamped images can create a kind of frosty effect which you will see in some of final photos.
 

Step 2 - Second Layer of Colour

Sometimes the moon will look white and sometimes it will have a yellow tone.  On this scene it will be yellow.  Due to dye inks fading out I used cantalope on the outer edges to intensify the colour.  I know.. you're thinking that I've got a loose brick upstairs and it's waaay too bright!  Dye inks fade over night so don't worry about it being darker.

Step 3 - Third Layer of Colour

Now we'll add the lightest blue called Aqua around the areas in yellow.  Why?  Well, when I look at the sky, the yellow fades to blue/black.  We'll be colouring over most of it anyway.  I like to add it now because there's no turning back once the darker shades are blended in.

Step 4 - Fourth Layer of Colour

Now doesn't this look horrendous???!!  After I added Stonewashed to the scene I realized that it's time to change now or forever hold my peace!  Never worry that you've ruined it!  Most can be saved by either leaving it in bright sunlight to fade the colour or, add something darker to cover it up!  One nice thing is that we will be going darker and darker so it will be hidden anyway.

Step 5 - Fifth Layer of Colour

This is actually a step for two colours!!  I just noticed that I didn't take a photo prior to adding Pitch Black!!
  
Before adding the black, use Adirondack Stream with the stylus and tap it from the outer edges in.  Don't worry about it looking so dark because it will lighten up beautifully!

Now you can start adding the black!  Oooops!

Are you still with me on this long process??  Now the fun begins!  This time I'm adding Pitch Black which is going to tone down the brights and make it more rich looking...to me anyways!  Tap it on from the outside in.  Be patient and things will come together!

Here is a closer view.  Still kind of looks like @%*# but you never judge a painting before it's done.

Step 6 - Add tree limbs to disguise any boo boo's or as a fill in

When you're finished the colouring, peel the tape off of the moon.  It will look stark white and unrealistic so... grab Lemonade (from the first photo) and tap a bit in around all of the edges.  Next, tap in some Cantaloupe on the left half.  This will give it more dimension!

Next I stamped the oak limb stamp and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I will emboss the stamped images at times to give it a bit more dimension and texture.  You can kind of see that in these photos for once!

Step 7 - Add Highlights

I added highlights with my white paint pen.  Love that thing!  Take care not to overdo it.  Then again, as the dye inks fade a bit, the white highlights blend in a lot more.

And now, here are the scenes mounted.  They look fabulous IRL.  I used Bo Bunny paper which looks stunning and rich.  Prior to mounting I did a wee bit of distressing with Black Soot along the edges.  My camera was not kind once again....  The second photo is actually darker than it shows.

 

The recipe is....

Stamps:  

Stampscapes - Nature Sheet 1 - Country Stream

Stampscapes - 203G - Oak Branch

Stampin' Up! - Sentiment

Inks..

Adirondack - Lemonade, Aqua, Stonewashed, Stream, Pitch Black

Memento - Cantaloupe

Archival Black

Distress Black Soot

Clear Embossing Powder

Hero Arts White Embossing Powder (Sentiment)

White paint pen

Paper:  BoBunny, Recollections, Staples White

 There you have it!  Have fun creating your own moonlight scene!

Hugs,

Sheree

Challenge Entries For...

Birthday Sundaes - Must have birthday sentiment