Layering Images

Fussy cutting and layering parts of an image to create a 3D effect is a great way to add extra dimension to your cards. You can use as many layers as you like to build up the image, sandwiching them with foam tape or silicone glue to lift each section. Paper tole artists create amazing works of art using this process, completing the project with a shiny layer of varnish to protect the surface and intensify the colours.

I'm keeping things super simple by using just two pre-coloured images. One will form the base and the other will be selectively cut to create the dimension.

I'm going to start by adding some background colour to my base image using alcohol markers (B02, B01, B00, B000 and B0000). The first layer, which is the darker of the blues, will be concentrated toward the bottom of the image and under the flowers and leaves. As you can see from the image below, I'm colouring in horizontal sections that taper to rough points at either end to simulate little wavelets.

Bring in the next shade of blue and work over the first layer. You don't want to actually blend the colours together, just soften the edges slightly, and continue to work in horizontal sections.

Work through all the blues until you are at the lightest colour. Fill in any remaining space with the lightest shade of blue.

Now it's time to harvest sections of the second image. You want to choose petals that are at the front of the flower rather than the back.

I have a friend who creates beautiful paper tole images and one of the tips she shared with me is to colour the very edges of the pieces you fussy cut. This hides the stark white of the paper and helps each piece blend with the base image. Make sure you work from the back of the piece so the ink doesn't run into the image.

Use a ball tool on a piece of foam to give a little extra shape to the piece you're placing. Add some glue or foam tape and secure the piece onto the base image.

I cut out the large lily pad and secured it to the base with a combination of foam tape, at the bottom of the image, and glue, at the back of the image. This means that the bottom of the leaf stands up off the background while the back of the image is flush, adding to the illusion of depth.

Rather than trying to cut each individual petal on the large flowers, I cut the entire shape and slit down the sides of the petals. Some foam tape in the bowl of each petal will give the dimension I'm looking for.

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