Well howdy there, YNS fans!  It’s me, Susan (susiestampalot) and it’s time for another monthly installment of my SUSIE-Q FUN TIP!  This month, I’m expanding on how I make “grounding” using my Copic markers for some of my stamped images.  Ya’ll can’t leave them floating around in space, now can you?  It just gives your focal point more of a “setting” and completes the image.

Now, just so ya’ll know, I’m no expert in Copic coloring.  I just do what I do’s.  I’m sure there are plenty of other ways to get the job done for creating “ground” out there, but this is just the way I do it, using C1, C3, C5, and my Blender.  However, if you wanted it to be dirt or grass or Mars, you’d use a series of browns, greens or whatever color Mars is to make this work for you.

Today, the cutie patootie stamp set, Joyful Apple Basket is helping me out and modeling for us.  I bet if ya’ll leave a comment at the end of this post, telling us how much you love it and what else ya’ll would like me to feature here, Karen will give one away!  Just sayin’.  Let’s get started…

1.  I actually usually color my image in first, but for the sake of this tutorial, just pretend the apple basket is colored.  First you’ll want to decide where the ground should be.  In this case, I wanted the leaves to be sitting on the ground along with the basket, so I brought it up a little high.  I usually always make my image be a tad lower than my ground lines.  Then start by drawing a line where the ground starts and coloring in a “base coat” both with C1.  The base coat should just kind of make a “cloud” underneath your image, how ever big you want and leaving the edges of your cloud light (as in don’t go over this part a bunch.)

2.  Using the C3, draw over the ground line and add some shadow under objects where a shadow would be.  Blend this with the C1, being careful not to take the C1 all the way to the edges of your cloud so that your base coat is “one layered”.

3.  Use C5 and draw over the ground line again and add some more shadows  where desired to intensify.  Blend with the C3 carefully and close to the C5 only.  In other words, don’t go really far out into your C1 area when blending this step.  I call it “tight blending”.  See how it looks roughly blended still?

4.  Now go back with the C1 and blend, still keeping away from the original layer near the bottom and side edges of your cloud.  Be sure at this time to slightly blend the C1 all the way up to the top edge of the ground and into the darkest shadows over your C5.  (Don’t be scared going into the dark shadows, it’s not Halloween yet.)

5.  See number 4 and blend it really well.

6.  Lastly, use your Blender (0) to feather out the bottom and side edges of your cloud to almost white, using a circular motion.  Don’t touch your C5 areas, or it will take the color away.  It’s ok to use the Blender on your lighter shaded areas until you get the desired look.  This will also make your dark areas seem darker.  I think I went over this with my Blender 3 times.  Let it dry a bit between each time you go over it.  The blender sometimes keeps working until it’s dry, and you’ll be sorry if it takes out too much color all at once after all that work.