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Color Combo Ideas + Free Printables

Many times during the cardmaking process I find a new (to me) super cool color combo that I like, and because of the lack of time, I just mark it somewhere to a piece of cardstock. Next time, when I need it again of course I can’t find it and I am going with the same used color. Can you relate? 😅


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase (at no additional cost to you).

Anyway, this is the reason why I made this color combo chart. To have it close to my desk, and when I need it, I am swatching the markers to those teeny-tiny circles to have marked done and when I have more time, I finish it with a little sample coloring to see how it looks, when those colors are used together. This really works for me and I thought you might find it useful as well. 


Color Combinations


I thought it might be inspirational for you to see my color combos, and maybe you can save a few to your swatchbook. I will add more soon to this post, feel free to bookmark it and come back later.

Click on the image if you want to enlarge it

On the Image above I have swatched my Ohuhu markers. I have the 219 set from the Honolulu Series, so I am pretty sure I will make more swatches in the future, I just need to find a bit of time for it. I have printed the Small Spacing Chart, because the So Jelly stamp set is smaller and a good fit. I have used the Jet Black Inkpad for stamping.

Click on the image if you want to enlarge it

I have a few Spectrum Noir Triblend Markers, so I swatched them quickly as well. I printed the heart shaped aka “pre stamped” swatch chart, so I saves a lot of time with the stamping.
 
Click on the image if you want to enlarge it

Here I did the same process, but this time for Spectrum Noir Illustrators. This is just a warms sheet, probably I will make a cool version as well in the near future.

More information and tips with the swatch cards


  • There are two sizes, A4 International and US Letter, so you can print the version which you prefer more.
  • As I already wrote, there are two types of the printables. One heart shaped aka “pre stamped” so it’s ready to use and two empty ones for stamping with the wished stamp set. One version is for the smaller stamp sets like the So Jelly mini set I have used for color swatching, and one for bigger images like these super sweet Lawn Fawn critters.
  • If you want to swatch your alcohol markers, like CopicsOhuhuSpectrum Noir or others, then I suggest you to print the PDF with inkjet printer to a Neenah Solar White Cardstock or any alcohol marker friendly cardstock you prefer.


  • If you want to swatch your water-based markers and color mediums like Tombow MarkersKarin Markers or Watercolors, then print the PDF with laser printer, to your favorite watercolor paper.
  • If you print the empty one, I suggest you to check which size is the better for your wished stamp set. (Yes, the L size was born because I started the stamping with a bit bigger stamp. 😅) I suggest you the Jet Black inkpad for stamping by Lawn Fawn, and before coloring make sure to give a heat set with heat gun to the entire surface before you start the coloring process. This will prevent the ink smearing from the outlines.
  • You can use it for color combo swatching but you can create your own combos by the type of critters as well. For example, cats or dogs in different colors and many others as well. It can speeds up your coloring process in the future and you can find new favorite combos as well.


  • If you are in a rush, just color the small dots on the cardstcok and you will finish the sample coloring later you have time.
  • You can also find some coloring guides on my Instagram too. I collected the posts here.

Freebie


If you like these printables then I have good news for you! It’s free for my newsletter subscribers! If you are not a subscriber, but you want to be, you can do it here, and you will get a welcome mail with the printables. (If you are already subscribed, check your e-mails! If you can't find it, please let me know.)
 
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Used Supplies


Using affiliate links does not mean additional costs for you. I really appreciate your support. I am using only products I LOVE. If you buy supplies through my affiliate links, you support my channel and blog with a small commission and when you shop through my links I will do a happy dance. Affiliate Disclaimer.

How to Draw Woodgrain with Markers 🎬

Hello there, I have a new Lawn Fawn Inspiration for you with adorable critters and woodgrain die-cut coloring video tutorial on my YouTube Channel


Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase (at no additional cost to you).

THIS CARD FEATURES

For the additional supplies with shop links visit the thumbnails below this post.

If you got inspired please help me to spread the word by pinning this photo to your Pinterest. 

💖


STAMPING AND COLORING

I stamped the critters from and the other elements with Crunchy Leaf Inkpad to Neenah Solar White Cardstock. After a heat set, I started the coloring process with Ohuhu Markers. I made a quick coloring on the tiny pieces, which means I am not layering them and I am using only 2 shades per color.  


Because the Beavers and the wood are the stars of this card, I played with them a bit more. When the coloring part was done, I added highlights with white pen. If you enjoy watching card tutorials from start to finish you can find the coloring process video over the Lawn Fawn YouTube channel.

Here are the Ohuhu colors I have used for the coloring for this card. If you have those markers too feel free to download my free swatching chart here.

CARD BACKGROUND 

I created 3 die-cuts with the grass border dies with the cilantro cardstock. Then I have created a pond with the  hillside border dies and mermaid cardstock.  I also created the edge of the pond with hillside border dies and paper bag cardstock. Then I placed this tiny die from the Sandy Beach Accents on the pond and run them through my die-cut machine with the largest Stitched Rectangle Stackables to have a stitched edge on the entire card front.

 
Next, I did a quick ink blending on the pond with peacock feathers distress oxide ink. I continued the same process with the same ink on the grass die-cuts. Then I blended the last grass and the background with cracked pistachio distress oxide ink. Now I have everything ready to finish this card, so I am adhering the die-cut pieces to the ink blended card front. 


SENTIMENT

In my video tutorial I’m gonna teach you, how I created this woodgrain effect sentiment easily with Ohuhu Markers. Its beginner friendly, the video is very short (only 3 minutes), but I recommend you to watch it first, and when you have 30 mins for practicing go through it once more but this time with your supplies. Feel free to stop it as many times you need. 


WRAP UP

Now I have everything ready to finish this card, so I adhered everything together. I put the colored die-cut images to their right place with 3D adhesives. And last but not the least the wooden signs found their place as well. 

USED SUPPLIES

Affiliate links were used where possible. I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase (at no additional cost to you). I am using only products I LOVE. If you buy supplies through my affiliate links, you support my channel and blog with a small commission and when you shop through my links I will do a happy dance. Affiliate Disclaimer.

Put your die-cuts to the next level [video]

If you enjoy die-cutting and find it relaxing like me, then you will love this simple, but effective idea what I created with the newest Sweet Stories release by Studio Light. These little tricks add to your die-cuts more life and depth as well. 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase (at no additional cost to you).


THIS CARD FEATURES

For the additional supplies with shop links, visit the thumbnails below this post.

If you got inspired please help me to spread the word by pinning this photo to your Pinterest. 💖


INK BLENDING TRICK

I created a whip die-cut with the Cupcake Dies from Vanilla Malt cardstock and I die-cut another one but this time before die-cutting I adhered a masking tape on the top of the die-cut and run it through my die-cut machine. I peeled back the tape and used it as a mask on each level of the whip to create this 3D effect with ink blending. I have used brown ink for the edges of the whip as a shadow and the pink ink set for the blush. I repeat the same process once more for the other one as well. 


I also blended the adorable waffle heart die-cut with blending tool and brown ink, to bring it to life a bit. If you want to see the ridges from the die-cutting in the original cardstock color, use a regular blending tool instead of a blending brush. It makes a huge difference! :) 

COLORING


When I saw the cup of the cupcake die from the Cupcake Sweet Stories Die Set I knew that I want to create a rainbow cup! So I grabbed my Tombow Markers and colored the lines in rainbow order. Very simple but so cute!


ADDING HIGHLIGHTS


The final touches always take your art to the next level. This is why I love to add those shiny details to my creations. They pop out the image more, and look at those eyes, the card is very sweet because of that! :) So a great white pen can make magic with your creations as well.


SENTIMENT


I stamped the "Birthday" word from the Make A Wish Sweet Stories Clear Stamps to a piece of Neenah Solar White cardstock with my Misti and watermark ink, then I heat embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder. Then I repeated the same process with the "happy" word from the Some Bunny Sweet Stories Clear Stamps. Stamped on to a piece of purple cardstock called Purple Mist, then I heat embossed with white embossing powder.


WRAP UP


Finally I have adhered the die-cuts to their right place with Foam Squares, to give them 3D dimension, and I repeat the same with the sentiments as well. 

VIDEO TUTORIAL


If you enjoy video tutorials more then watch this short reels about this project.


USED SUPPLIES

Using affiliate links does not mean additional costs for you. I really appreciate your support. I am using only products I LOVE. If you buy supplies through my affiliate links, you support my channel and blog with a small commission and when you shop through my links I will do a happy dance. Affiliate Disclaimer.