Colors from Nature

This is the year that I made a card making bucket list.

The list is quite lengthy...

and diverse.

One for the items on the list is..."Use bolder colors"

I'm happy to say that I have been doing that...

and it's been fun!

Typically...

I gravitate to soft colors..

colors that are gentle..and muted...and found in nature...

and when I create with those colors...

the color palette always seems to flow..and remain connected...

but...

I aways like to inject a dose...

a jolt...

 of color.

A color that pulls it all together...

I think that's why I truly love working what nature scenes..

florals...

and botanicals.

When I water colored this image...

the brightness of the flowers in the window boxes were the jolt of color

And each of these florals got a jolt from the surprise of the yellow bloom

and the bright pink blooms

When I chose to create a card with this beautiful "Sparrow"image

from Our Daily Bread Designs...

I knew, from the start, that there needed to be a jolt of color...

not a big...screaming...blinding jolt..

but a jolt...nonetheless.

And so...

this lovely bird has hints of red.

Without the red...

I think that the image would have been dull...

lifeless...

 The blues and grays hold their own beside the red...

ad the lander on the blooms complements the grays and blues beautifully...

yet...without the red...

this image would have been drab...

The print behind the colored bird image is a cream background

 that is covered with large, bold blooms and leaves...

No color

The blooms and leaves are grey...

I knew that this was the print that I wanted ti pair with this image....

No doubt about it..

So to pull the print and image together to create this card design

I highlighter the blooms in the background...

with the same colors that were used to color the bird.

In the end...

I was very happy with that choice. 

It contributed to the card....exactly as I had hoped it would.

And....

that little jolt of red...on the bird and along the edge of the card front

did exactly what they were supposed to do, as well.

There's a little glisten to the lavender colored blooms

(I gave them a light brushing over with Clear Wink of Stella)

I am still nurturing my relationship with alcohol markers...

if you know me...

and my card making 

you know 2 things...

My style is CAS ...100%...all the way

and..

you also know that I LOVE water coloring.

This being said...

While water coloring will always be my first love...

there is room in my heart for alcohol ink and markers.

Creating cards like this one...

reminds me that although I will always love what I love...

(water coloring)

That the opportunity to explore my own creativity 

by incorporating new techniques into my repertoire 

will always be of interest to me...

and will keep me growing...

as a card maker.

Card Loving friends...stay tuned...a "Bird Collection" will be coming to The Bellissima Card Shop soon!

Card making friends...a brief supply list of key supplies is posted below

Thanks for visiting!

Have a great Friday!

Michelle

Supply List: 

Stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs: "Sparrow"

Die: MFT Mini Scallop Rectangles

Color: Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

Card stock: PTI, Stampin Up

Other: Wink of Stella (Clear)