SMILE!

To say that I am not one easily influenced by trends is a bit of an understatement.  The main reason is because I am frugal (yes, you may insert cheap--but I am sticking with frugal).  It was a running  joke with one of my stamping classes--they always knew I would show them the least expensive way to do something if I could.  On the other hand, I do recognize quality, and I am not afraid to spend some extra money for superior products.

Why do I bring this up??  Alcohol markers.  I love the look they give (especially in the hands of experts). But I had a tough time  swallowing the price for them--especially the Copic Sketch markers--which seem to be the top of the line.

So in my frugal-ness, (read: fear of wasting money) I purchased a set of 24 Prismacolor markers to practice with.  I got them off of EBay and the cost was just over the cost of a large stamp set. 

Through this purchase I have determined a few things (some I suspected before--but were confirmed with this purchase):

1. In  using these markers--it is helpful to have several tones of the same color (hue) to achieve shading. 
2. Lighter colors are very important.
3. For coloring stamped images--a brush tip is EXTREMELY helpful (the Prismacolor brand does not have this).
4. Practice--practice, practice.

So (finally) here is my first stamped image colored with alcohol markers.  Well, the first  STAMPED one I have shown you...

I am fairly pleased with the result, and I plan to SLOWLY acquire some Copic (Ciao or Sketch) to fill in the colors started by this set of 24.  I used three colors of blue and the colorless blender.

Materials used:

• Stamps: puck the dolphin from the Doodle Factory Tropics set;
• Ink: Palette Noir (Stewart Superior);
• Paper: dp Basic Grey and Walmart; Old Olive and Brocade Blue (SU); White (GP);
• Accessories: Grungeboard arrows; Prismacolor markers; tag (EK Success); brad (SEI); dew droppy thingies (Michaels); Diamond Glaze (Judikins); circle Nestablilities (Spellbinders); 

Thanks for stopping by and looking.  I would be interested in your opinions and tips concerning alcohol markers.