I created this card for the Splitcoast sketch challenge this week.  It seemed like an easy challenge – but for some reason I had a hard time with the back layer – so this is what I ended up with.

I used the Peony Digi stamp set for the image.  I also used the Herringbone Cuttlebug folder and the Apron Lace border punch.  And Kraft cardstock – I’m so loving Kraft paper lately!

I colored the peony with copic markers using my easy (read as lazy) scribble method for coloring the flower.  I thought I’d share my method – in case others like to scribble too.

I print my image on the Neenah Classic paper – I have had the most success with this paper and have used it successfully with several different printers and inks.  I like to blend a lot – so I need an image that will not bleed.

I add my darkest color (RV-17 in this case) in the areas where I want deepest shadows.  On these digital images, I’ve tried to indicate shadowed areas by stippling.  I just scribble it in place…

Then I add my next darkest color around and over the first – again just scribbling.

Then the next darkest- scribbled next to and a little over the second color with a third – although you probably could use only the first two.

Then I use my lightest choice (RV-10 in this case) to go over all the colors – scribbling in circles and blending all the colors together.  Sometimes you need to scribble over a couple times to blend.

If your blending has taken out more of the darker tones than you’d like – you can scribble a little more of the dark back in.  Then spot blend those areas with the lighter colors.

The last step is to use a really light tone (like the RV0000 in this case) to add highlights back in.  Just sweep the light color over areas that the want to highlight to remove some of the ink. 

Try to do this while the image is still damp from all the blending above if you want soft edge highlights.  If you want sharp, hard edge highlights – wait till the image is completely dry before you remove color. 

You can also use a colorless blender in place of the RV-0000, but it might remove more ink and leave a harsher highlight.

Because I just scribble – sometimes I get a little outside the lines.  So I just use my colorless blender to push the ink back in by sweeping the blender from outside the image just up to the line.  One note – this trick does not work well with reds and usually just makes more of a mess.

The last thing I wanted was a little green shadow under my flower.  because I wanted something subtle – I covered the area with colorless blender and while it was still wet, swept the green (YG-91) over top.  Then I softened the green a bit more by going over it with more blender.

 Here is a picture of the back showing some of the blending.  You need a paper that is hard enough not to allow the ink to travel outside the lines and the Neenah works great for me.   Also – make sure you have clean scrap paper under your image to adsorb any ink that might bleed through.

So that is my scribble method.  If you try it – let me know how it works for you.