Wednesday, January 03, 2018

{Spotlight Project} Shirley Makes A Cup of Coffee





Happy New Year, peeps! I wanted to improve my coffee-making skills - or to be more precise, my coffee-painting skills - to use with my new set And Coffee. The main stamp image in the set is an overhead shot of a cup, spoon and saucer, and adding shading helps to lift the image off the page.



For the launch cards I did add shadows, but I was winging it a bit as to where the shadows went, so I thought I'd apply a bit of science to improve my technique at depicting light and shadow.


I got a cup, spoon and small plate (because I couldn't find a saucer, and I'm impatient), and took photos on my phone, changing the orientation, and with the light coming from different sources. I then edited the photos to black and white, which makes it easier to see tone, shadows and highlights. You'll note that the spoon isn't in the same position as on the stamp - that's because I didn't check it first!



I chose one photo to work with, and stamped my image in Antique Linen Distress Ink.



Using a mix of Hickory Smoke and Pumice Stone I inked the back of one of the latte art stamps and stamped it in the centre of the cup.



Using the same two colours as a watercolour palette, I used the photo as a guide for adding shadow.



Then I added shadow to the table that the saucer is sitting on. In hindsight I could have photographed on a white base to get a shadow, but this is art anyway, so it doesn't need to be 100% accurate.



I added a bit more to the background, deliberately keeping it rough and scribbly, then added my latte art and sentiment.


If you're inspired to have a go at adding shading to your STAMPlorations images, don't forget to add it to our Never-Ending Anything Goes challenge for your chance to win a gift certificate.

And if you're shopping, why not use my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY for 20% off all stamps, stencils and dies in the store (including new releases and retiring stamps).

Happy stamping!

15 comments:

  1. Your shading is fantastic!
    Thanks for sharing the process :-)

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  2. So clever the way you tested your shadowing:-) Love the depth you achieved for your fun coffee cut and plate. Your stamp sets are always so creative and fun. TFS my friend. Hugs..

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  3. I love this, Shirley. Great instructions. Beautiful card.

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  4. Wow That is very scientific! well done, with a great result

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  5. This is terrific! Love the shadow effect, great work with full steps!

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  6. Absolutely stunning card :) thanks for the tutorial, loved it!

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  7. Wonderful card, and thanks for the show and tell :-)
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  8. So realistic it looks..thanks for sharing the tutorial!

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  9. Fantastic shading! I just bought this stamp and I can’t wait to ink it up! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  10. WOW!!!! Your card is so very awesome!!!! Your coloring skill is outstanding!

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  11. This is awesome! Thank you for showing us how! xxx

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