Savvy Saturday: Shading Tutorial with Linda Duke
Linda does an amazing job of making paper die cuts look real with her signature technique of shading. She put together this tutorial to show us how she does it. I can’t wait to try this myself, take it away, Linda!
I wanted to share the technique I use when shading projects. I’m going to start at the very beginning, step by step and shade this lovely sunflower die.
- Photo 1
Shown in Photo 1, supplies are Ranger Dye stamp pads, Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels, flower and Leaf Die Template and cotton balls. I have so many people ask me about the cotton balls, so when asked to do this tutorial I was thrilled.
- Photo 2
Hold the cotton ball like you would hold a sponge.
- Photo 3
Photo 3: Rub cotton ball on inkpad, I used Latte.
- Photo 4
Photo 4: The cotton ball holds a lot of ink, so I use my craft paper pad to take some of the ink off. Practice on scrap paper until you become familiar with the amount of ink cotton balls hold.
- Photo 5
Photo 5: Always start in the center of the flower because it will not been seen when finished, this help me know how much ink is still on the cotton ball and I won’t have a glob of ink where someone can see it when finished. NOTE: If I were working on a project that is very small, I would start on the paper pad underneath and drag over the edge.
- Photo 6
Photo 6: Work out from the center of the flower to the tips of the petals. (Lightly).
- Photo 7
Photo 7: The flower on the left is completely shaded, while the flower on the right only has ink in the center.
- Photo 8
Photo 8: Working with darker ink (Sunset Orange) can be a little scary because you will see every little mark. Just remember to work most of the ink off the cotton ball before you start working on your project. You can always go over it again.
- Photo 9
Photo 9: You can see how the color of the flower starts to build.
- Photo 10
Photo 10: Using Sunset Orange for a second coat.
- Photo 11
Photo 11: Using Red Pepper.
- Photo 12
Photo 12: Using Rust.
- Photo 13
Photo 13: Using Cranberry.
Photo 14: Shows what the flower is starting to look like.
- Photo 15
Photo 15: Using Espresso (only in the center).
- Photo 16
Photo 16: Shows Glimmer Mist applied with the cotton ball.
- Photo 17
Photo 17: Assemble as shown and you are done.
- Field of Sun layout by Linda Duke
Photo 18: The finished product.
Because of all the ink, the flower needs to dry completely before adding dimensionals in the center. If you want to use a sponge you can, but I find they can streak your project. Cotton leaves a soft look.
I hope you have fun making your flowers; I have so much fun making mine.
Thank you so much Linda! When you try this technique, show us your results with a link in the comments, and don’t forget to click on the stars to rate Linda’s tutorial.
Happy Shading!
Beth
Tags: Ink, Linda Duke
December 27th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Beautiful work Linda. I have a question. You applied the glimmer mist with a cotton ball. What is the difference between doing it this way and using the mist as a spray? Thank you for sharing with everyone.
December 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Great question Linda. I used cotton balls with the glimmer mist for this project because it is small, and I have more control of the product. If I sprayed the flower, it may cause the inks to puddle. In addition, using a cotton ball I think gives more sparkle to the project (most of the liquid is absorbed in the cotton, which makes the glimmer more intense). If this was a scrapbook layout, and I wanted all over coverage, I would then spray the project. Thanks for asking.
December 27th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Linda, I love these flowers. Thank you for sharing this wonderful technique.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
OH MY GOODNESS!! LOVE THIS!! Linda, you did an excellant job on the tutorial. I don’t have those particular inks, but some thaat are very close, do you think it will be ok to use them instead?? Gosh, the thought of buying more inks, I’m trying hard to be good!! You know we are starting a new year and Santa is watching me! lol I look forward to seeing more tutorials from you!
December 27th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Lovely flowers. Thank you so much for the tutorial - maybe I can get something close to your gorgeous flowers.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:24 am
This is soooo wonderful! I love this flowers!!!
Annett
December 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
BEAUTIFUL!!
Didn’t realize that there were so many ink colors…just beautiful.
Time to get out my ink pads! LOL!!!
Thanks so much!
December 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Thanks for the tutorial !!!
Your works are beautiful !!!
Salute - lengow.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Wow! Thanks, I can’t wait to try this!
December 29th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Thanks for the tutorial — these sunflowers are absolutely gorgeous.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:01 am
Linda your technique is just amazing! Thanks so much for sharing the steps!
December 30th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
WOW! What a fabulous tutorial. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought that the diecut flowers were photos. They are so realistic.
January 1st, 2009 at 6:57 am
WOW! tfs
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 am
This tutorial is FAB - thanks for sharing the technique with us!
I have linked it in my blog for others to find it, because I like it so much!
Those sunflowers are gorgeous and now I need to buy those ink colours and the die…
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Thanks for sharing your work with us, Linda. Wow! Your diecut flowers look like the real thing. I can’t wait to try this technique. I think it would be a wonderful project for my stamp club to tackle.
January 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Wow this is just awesome! Such inspiration!
January 5th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Beautiful flowers Linda! I have been a decorative painter for years so I could see where you were heading with your choice of colors and technique - I just hope I can now get mine to look like yours!Wonderful job!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Thank you for the great tutorial, your work is wonderful. I love sunflowers, so I can’t wait to try this.
January 13th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Thank you for sharing. I love how you did your coloring. Now to try it myself and hopefully get the same results.
Carole
January 14th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Just love your technique!!
January 18th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Wow, that is amazing! They look soooo real! Your work is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing! Katie
January 31st, 2009 at 8:20 am
WOW!!! These are gorgeous!!! Up till now, I have only cut these flowers in different colored card stock and layered them, but now I have to try out your coloring technique!! (and hopefully do it justice)! Thank you for sharing your talent and creativity with all of us!
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Thank you so much, this tutorial is fantastic so easy to follow as the pictures make everything very clear.
loads of love and mega hugs, XsueX