Saturday, March 21

Tutorial - Colouring The Fantails


Flowing, translucent fins and shimmering scales are the iconic features of fantail goldfish, and today I'd like to share a colouring technique for achieving that look.


I started by stamping one of the images in blue, water-based ink on a piece of blending card. The water-based ink doesn't react with the alcohol markers, so smearing and smudging shouldn't be an issue.


Colour the entire image with the B91 marker.


Use the B93 marker to darken the fins where they meet the body of the fish. Flick the strokes outward from the fish's body toward the edges of the fins.


Blend the colours together by adding another layer of B91 marker over the top of the B93. Don't overwork the colour or you'll end up with a mottled look. If you want to work further on an area, come back to it after it's had a chance to dry.


To give the illusion of translucency, use the B93 marker to darken the parts of the fin that pass in front of the body, such as the pelvic fin. You want to follow the shape of the body to give the impression that it can been seen through the fin.


Do the same thing where the fins pass in front of each other, such as the curls on the dorsal fin. Use the marker to describe the shape of each fin as it disappears behind the others. You can make a very light guide line with a pencil first if you'd prefer.


Use the B93 marker to darken all the areas where the fins and tail pass in front of another part of the fish. Allow to dry for a few minutes, and then add another layer in the same areas.


To colour the body of the fish, add a layer of B93 all over. Work your strokes along the body of the fish, from nose to tail, rather than side to side. Following the shape of the fish will give you a better result.


Use the B95 marker to darken the body, avoiding the belly, chin and edges of the gills. Start to give some texture to the scales by colouring little circular areas around the belly. 


Continue to darken the body with the B97 marker. Apply the darker colour over the B95, making sure that some of the light colour is still visible. There should be three distinct colour areas visible on the body of your fish, with an obvious light, mid and dark range. Use the tip of the marker to describe the shape of the scales with a little more detail. 


Use the B99 sparingly. A little around the end of the body, under the gills and scales and in front of the eye should be enough.


Now you're going to work all the way back down through the colours again, starting with the B97. Colour over the top of the B99 but not quite all the way to the B95. You want to blend the colours a little, but not so that you lose all the texture you've added to the scales.
Use the B95 next, colouring over the top of the B97 and almost to the B93. Work your way down the markers blending the colour that's one step darker. 


The final task is working on the eye, which usually forms the focal point of any image. I've used a black pen to colour the pupil and add a little shadow around the edges. A dot of white brings life to the eyes. (CLICK HERE for a tutorial on colouring eyes)



Stamps and Dies:
      

12 comments:

  1. Yes brilliant work, Beccy love your tutorials. Very helpful. I don't have copics but have a some promarkers. Not enough though to do layering like you.. I've lots of pencils though.
    On my blog thus week I shared my take on your Kraft stamping and grey copic colouring for background, then prismas for blossom colouring. I used another stamp as don't have yours but it worked well as technique. Linked over to your original post.

    Its last link on my craft blog link below.
    Sorry for late visit! 😊
    Thanks for sharing, and may God bless you and all you love, and keep you well in these troubles times.
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x #16

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  2. Thank you for sharing all the fantastic card designs and tutorials, I struggle with coloring, your tips help. Stunning card, hugs, Lori m

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  3. I can hardly wait until my stamp set arrives! Gorgeously colored, your fish images are extra delicate! Beautiful tutorial. Thank you so much, Beccy! hugs, de

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    1. You're very welcome Donna, it's my pleasure.
      Cheers,
      Beccy

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  4. A wonderful tutorial and easy to understand, thank you so much.
    Be safe and well
    Faith x

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  5. Wow. That is neat how you do it. Thank you for showing.

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  6. Great blending what a wonderful job on showing the coloring....just beautiful....tfs

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  7. Hi Beccy this is a wonderful colouring technique. I must give this a try. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  8. Your tutorial is wonderful as are those fish images. I don't have many Copics so I wonder if I could get a similar look with my colored pencils.

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    1. You sure can Verna. Just use one pencil to colour the entire fin. Keep it nice and light by only applying a small amount of pressure. To create the darker areas where the fins cross over the body or other fins, add another layer of the same colour pencil, which will make it a deeper colour.
      Cheers,
      Beccy

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  9. Thank you for this tutorial. I will try this technique.

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