WATERCOLOURING OR .......

I used watercolouring pencils to colour this gorgeous stamp from Elisabeth Bell called STARR. For this stamp or any of the other Elisabeth Bell collections click here.

I coloured this some time ago and then decided I didn't like my colouring  - but having not seen it for some time I've quite forgotten why I didn't like it!  Maybe it's just a case of stepping back sometimes, working close up and personal you just start seeing mistakes and problems!

I do definitely remember having one disaster after another which probably added to my growing disatisfaction.   Having coloured the tail I decided I didn't like the effect so I covering with stickles glitter glue thinking that would add texture and subtly cover the colouring/colour!  Not so, once the image had dried I hated the stickles - it had dried flat and lifeless - so I scraped it all off.  

In removing the stickles with a knife the tail got damaged but I really like the distressed look - adding texture to the fin.  I had seen a Watercolour painter distressing his painting with a knife to achieve the surf on the water and also distressing rocks in the same way to add aging and texture - so idea was not completely my own!

I used liquid chalk for the sky and was unsure about the result achieved.  The fantasy hair colour was a new one for me and definitely took me out of my comfort zone.

I hope I have encouraged those of us out there who are very critical to go back and take another look at your projects - you may be surprised by want you see!

More information can be found on my blog here.

Best wishes,