Colouring is a relaxing activity for me. Am so glad to have guidance on what to do with all the fantastic stationery and tools I have. I have a more fulfilling experience while colouring thanks to you. Loads of gratitude your way! My little one also benefits from your tips and tricks
I never knew there was so much variety of materials and textures and techniques available for the coloring book enthusiast which can be applied to the serious artist too.
What a wonderful thorough tutorial, I never would have thought to use chalk and eyeshadow....thanks so much for sharing and inspiring.....love your channel and have subscribed!
Thank you so much for this video! I found it very informative and helpful. I am new at coloring in the adult coloring books and I love the amount of choices you've demonstrated.
Your gentle soft approach in these wonderful videos create such a relaxed learning environment. I so admire your vibe of piece and harmony that shines thru in all your tutorials. Great Instructor!!! Thank you.......
I'm new to coloring and using pastels and I love how you took the time to show the different uses of pastels and eye shadow. I also like the different applicators you used in this video.
Oh, one more thing...I learned to use my pastels on backgrounds long ago. Instead of rubbing directly on the pastel, I was taught to take the pastel in one hand, being over were you want to lay down the color, and using a razor blade or Exacto knife scrape over the pastel so the shaving dust falls directly on your coloring page, then blend it out. Kind of a process, but I liked the results. To blend it was recommended to use one of the round/square face cleaning pads you showed in this video. You said you didn't care for the pads because they are too unpredictable & I agree, but I bet the cotton ball will do the trick. Just thought I would comment what has worked well for me. Thanks again for all the good info. Happy coloring!
Hi Cher, Just wanted to say thank you for your presentation. This is only my 2nd video of your work, but I now subbed your yt channel. You are a very fine art technique teacher, ~clarity in explanation, soft-spoken, articulate and best of all humble. You offer common sense tools and useful tips for the novice as well as the advanced. I very rarely "comment" in yt. But I value your approach as well as your video content and wanted to encourage you. I'm retired, and now an "art hobbyist", sketching, coloring of beautiful Creation, especially from avian photograpy, however amateur be my attempts. I find I really enjoy this; its like studying, really seeing these birds and saying "thank You" to the Most High for such a blessing. Be safe and blessed.
Abby, I so appreciate you taking a moment, especially if it's not your norm to do so, to share your lovely thoughts. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the videos and getting something out of them. I know exactly what you mean with appreciating the details of the birds with new eyes as you find the nuances of Mother Nature's brilliance. Happy coloring!
I like to use the cosmetic q-tips that have the pointy end for small edges, etc. Love your videos so much that I actually self-published my own coloring book of fashion! Thanks for all your tips!
Thank you for you're videos, they are like having you're own art teacher, I live in Saudi at present and finding any art class is difficult , so a huge thanks , getting so much more out of my colouring now :)
+Angela Watson Thank you Angela for taking a moment to comment - yes - being able to reach people around the world and encourage them to be creative and play with color and drawing is so beneficial to mind, body and spirit. ENjoy your creative being!
I love this video, it was great and I learnrd a lot. I'm surprised the simple old cotton ball gave the lightest, smoothest effect. I will definitely be using more cotton balls. Up until now, I simply used a piece of soft cotton tee shirt fabric, wrapped around my index finger to blend eyeshadows and pastels, works pretty good except for the tiny spaces all pages have, I then go to a Q-tip. I'm sure cotton balls will be my "go to" blender from now on. Thanks so much, I really enjoyed your video, I watched every little bit of it! About to look for your other video's and am so anxious to see what you teach me next ♡
Ah, a fellow experiemental artist is here! Thanks for taking a moment to respond. I saw your second note about the pastel shavings as well - and yes, I learned that also with graphite! So much fun to play with the tools and see what quirky things they do and how we can utilize the oddity of a medium in our favor! Happy coloring! I'm glad you stopped by!
Love, love your video!! Thank you very much for your excellent guidance and patience for sharing this with us. I just bought myself some pastel chalk and this REALLY HELPS ME!! Take care.
+Maxie Aunt You're welcome Diana! Appreciate you taking a moment to share! Yes! Wiith powdered mediums, you need to know how to fix them for storage and for long term! Happy day!
#CherTheFire Thank you for sharing another great video! I never would have thought to use eye shadow, but now I will go look through my old makeup bags and see if I have any, lol. Love those pastel pencils and the effects you get with using cotton swabs and cotton balls. I have a set of soft pastels that I have yet to try, but I'm glad you have pointed out how toxic the dust maybe...I'll have to make sure the cat is in another room. @Pj Lewis
I really enjoyed this video and gave me some more videos for backgrounds on my projects. It is so true that sometimes people ignore the background with so much potential there
+Rachel Tomlinson YES! I love when people expand and at the very least give it a go at the background - it can completely change the depth of a picture! Happy coloring!
Excellent video Cher. I have been afraid to go anywhere near my backgrounds since I totally messed up my Secret Garden door page by trying to shade in a dark path with my pencils. :-( What a mess I made! Watching you work with - and seeing the softness of the eye shadow and make up sponges particularly - has really encouraged me. I've got a bag of those sponges in my cupboard that I never got around to using on my face - now I've got a use for them! :-)
Great video! It made me want to try some of your techniques. But I am very new to colouring. Could you recommend a couple of fixatives so i know what to buy? Im in the UK if that helps. Thanks
Eh, I used stuff I bought at the local dollar store...if you're curious to try, you can get some there or a closeout or on sale something or other at the grocery store, too!
thank you for all of your videos! I'm a newbie and your tutorials fascinate me! cant wait to try the techniques I've learned from your channel. keep up the great work!
Fantastic Ingrid! Love hearing when someone is new and willing to try the techniques. Approach with fun and enthusiasm and it will always produce something interesting! Happy coloring!
The cosmetic sponge appears to be the best value considering that it can be re-washed and re-used, good to know. The various blenders all give a nice effect so in way it's just personal preference -- and I usually prefer best value. :P
holy hollywackers lady! SO INFORMATIVE!! 💖💖💖 I never realized using various sponges etc would give such a nice effect, just wow. Btw, if you ever felt the need to "commercialize" your channel a bit (product reviews, studio tours, other random things etc), I wouldn't mind if that meant you would post more videos!! (The more videos someone has uploaded, the more likely YT will suggest one of their's in someone's sidebar.)
LOL...thanks for the comment. Since I started making these videos I have done a lot of other things! I am the author of 9 books, 8 of which are art related and 1 that is about a good introduction to essential oils (safety and understanding are so important!). I also have been deeply invested in learning about the world of tea and have a video series that will eventually be released here as well. I also have been creating my own hand-bound books that take up a lot of my creative time. Creating these videos requires help from my video guy and editor. When I can, I'll be back to add to the library list. In the meantime, if you are interested you can follow me on Instagram (cherthefire) to find out the most current workings and classes I teach in Texas. Videos will come, it's just a matter of logistics, topics and a few other incidentals. But I do try to stay on top of comments here because I do think that if someone took the time to write to me, I try to acknowledge them and perhaps answer a question or two here and there. I like to encourage curious creatives to keep going and to start somewhere! Thanks, again, Jasper, I appreciate you taking the time to watch, learn, discover and jot me a note. Happy coloring, happy exploring!
This is so helpful because backgrounds are always kind of scare me because don’t like to put before I do my painting & then stare at it thinking, Now how can I do this evenly, not get all over other images so tyvm!!
It will take some practice and just seeing what works best for you, but at least you're giving it a go, learning something new and expanding outside the lines!
Thank you for sharing another great video! I never would have thought to use eye shadow, but now I will go look through my old makeup bags and see if I have any, lol. Love those pastel pencils and the effects you get with using cotton swabs and cotton balls. I have a set of soft pastels that I have yet to try, but I'm glad you have pointed out how toxic the dust maybe...I'll have to make sure the cat is in another room.
+Bev Roberts HI Bev, unless your kitty is the type to hand around and lay on the page you are working on, it probably won't be a problem. Cats are very intuitive and particular and what they are willing to have around them, if they don't like the smell, they'll move on. On the dust, it shouldn't be blown into the air for everyone's health, including yours! Happy playing, happy coloring!
My cat is the worst -behaved cat I've ever had and he is clingy. His favorite hangout is my left shoulder. I hope you are correct and he won't like the smell, but he WILL sniff at least the first time...his curiosity is boundless, lol.
Thank you for the health warning on dust. I'm using watercolor mostly, a few color pencils and was looking at pastels. I did buy water soluble oil pastels and always wanted the chalk type but I think I will just stay away from them as I have very bad asthma at times.
It will depend on if you are working in a closed environment also. A nice spring day outside might be ok, but please take into consideration your own personal needs.
I bought a box of firm pastels. I took a little square of a baby wipe and folded it into a small square then rubbed the pastel and dabbed my color book paper. It made a defused background and when it dried (quickly), no loose powdery residue when I wiped my hand across the paper. No dust to get in the air or breathe in. :)
Cher I really appreciate your tutorial on coloring backgrounds. Backgrounds are my least favorite thing to color but you have shown techniques to make coloring backgrounds interesting and easy. Do you work with the soft pastels the same as the firm? I have the soft pastels.
You can work with either. Pastels are a world all their own, soft work differently than hard, differently than oil, etc...for me personally, I rarely use pastels myself, but I do love the way they move and blend together. They are a fun medium. Here's an article you might want to take a look at with the difference between soft and hard pastels. www.how-to-draw-and-paint.com/soft-and-hard-pastels.html
Thank you so much for this video. I've been working on a quilling piece and realized half way through that I should have done something to the background first. HORROR! This video has saved my bacon. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!
Thank you for taking a moment to comment! YES! It's amazing how when our eye has been trained to focus on one area we miss the wonderful opportunity to express creativity supporting the focal point! - Feel free to post your quilt when you're all done - I would love to see!!!! Very excited for you being willing to explore more!
Thank you for the video. I never would have thought of using inexpensive eye shadows for creating backgrounds. Do the chalk and eye shadows smudge off and stain other pages in coloring books?
Are soft pastels more diffused? I ordered soft pastels online and am waiting to receive them, but now I'm wondering what the real difference is between the soft and firm. I really want a soft effect from the pastels but didn't research it ahead of time before I purchased. I know so much more about background options now after watching this video that I probably would have just gone with cheap eyeshadow palettes instead. Also, the pastel pencils you used in this tutorial, are they Kor-i-noor? They look great on camera!! I am so glad you produced this video Cher- it has been very helpful. I have learned a lot from you in the past 5 videos I've watched... Thank you so much!!
+Jennifer Cain HI Jennifer, soft pastels crumble easier which means they leave pigment down easier as well. Soft pastels are the most common pastels to work with when learning about pastels...You'll be fine with what you have! Firmer pastels and pastel pencils are great for fine work or details. The pastel pencils I used here were from whatever I picked up at Michael's art supply store...their store brand I think. :-) I like introducing items anyone can get their hands onto to play and practice with...I'd rather have people playing with color or drawing than waiting for something special before they begin! you can get creative with any of these at any time...add as you go :-). Thank you so much for taking a moment to share. I appreciate it! Happy coloring!
I tried working with eyeshadow awhile ago but have never seen it anywhere else; last night I bought some cheep multipurpose paintbrushes from Walmart last night, to see if I can paint, make up on an entire picture; all my makeup came from dollar tree.
OH yes, you can! It's a technique I didn't show, but you can use a little bit of water and use it like paint - just be mindful to not use too much water on paper not designed for wet media. Have fun!
If you have trouble with the dust entering your airways, you could wear a mask. Wearing a mask is almost standard in Korea where I've been working since 2008. You get disposable ones, or you can wear a washable cotton mask.
I feel for you...first rule of pastels - be prepared for a glorious mess! Pastels are meant to move, they have a sort of artistic freedom in expression. You can use small tools, like ones shown in the video to help with edges or you can erase areas you do not want to be covered in the color. Another way to do it, but it takes patience and time is to mask out the entire area you do not want any pastel on, do your pastels, then remove the mask. Spray the paper to protect the pastel with a fixative so it stays put and then color with your choice of medium. I'll tell you, oil pastels are not my first pic as they require extra drying time to cure completely (they are, after all, oil based).
Thanks Donna for commenting! Glad you found the video helpful! There aren't any mixed media coloring books per se that I am aware of, but there are some books/calendars that have some thicker paper that can take a bit of layering.
You might be interested to know that I successfully use a very small, dry, square cut paint brush to move my Stabilo pastel pencil dust around. Much safer than a q tip. Also blends two colors. Try it's!
+Marcia Arensberg Hi Marcia, thanks for asking, I appreciate when people take a moment to write a reponse or question.. I've been asked this question before and I'll copy my answer that I gave to others. But before I do, keep in mind the answer is based off of copying a coloring book page and not coloring in the book. If you are trying to print a downloadable image and need to print it, start with cardstock. Here is the answer about copying from a coloring book: I have mixed feelings on this question in all honesty for several reasons....the paper is part of the experience when coloring. The editor purposely chose great paper for the best coloring experience. When a person copies images to a secondary paper, they change the paper, which can change the experience. Secondarily, copyright law says that the consumer can create a single copy for personal use, but beyond that, the images are not meant to be copied or used without permission from the publishing company. Not to be a downer, because I understand the reasoning behind why people are hesitant to color in their books, but from my experience, it always makes me ask the question, what other parts of your life do you withhold from experiencing the whole moment just as is, fully in the moment as it was meant to be experienced? Sometimes it can be quite liberating to "break" your own rule and allow yourself to be fully with the original art on the original paper
+CherTheFire Thanks for the response Cher. I always color in my books, that is why I bought them in the first place. I am particularly interested in printing a downloadable image and just plain printer paper isn't doing it for me, you feel that card stock is the best for that?
+Marcia Arensberg Yay! I'm so excited to hear you color in your books!! Makes my heart happy! for downloadable images, I'd start with cardstock (it will feel different than coloring book pages but will be much more substantial than regular printer paper).
+Sunya Clark HI Sunya, I have mixed feelings on this question in all honesty for several reasons....the paper is part of the experience when coloring. The editor purposely chose great paper for the best coloring experience. When a person copies images to a secondary paper, they change the paper, which can change the experience. Secondarily, copyright law says that the consumer can create a single copy for personal use, but beyond that, the images are not meant to be copied or used without permission from the publishing company. Not to be a downer, because I understand the reasoning behind why people are hesitant to color in their books, but from my experience, it always makes me ask the question, what other parts of your life do you withhold from experiencing the whole moment just as is, fully in the moment as it was meant to be experienced? Sometimes it can be quite liberating to "break" your own rule and allow yourself to be fully with the original art on the original paper.
HI Brandon, I have addressed this question in another video talking about solvents: ua-cam.com/video/b7bnoKAlpNQ/v-deo.html I also show beginner solvents in this video as well: ua-cam.com/video/luC6GMVBlbw/v-deo.html
+Rosa Caamano If you use a WORKABLE Fixative, you can spray the work and then continue to work on top of everything, even adding to the background. If you use a FINAL FIX, then i suggest you wait to the end and do the whole thing at once. If i'm working on a coloring book image, I always do my background last because i don't know what the colors are that I will be using.....that's slightly different than if I were PAINTING with oil or acrylics, etc. So, to clarify, with painting with paint, there is no need for the fixative, if coloring with pencils, markers, etc and you are adding a soft powder to your background, like pastel, eyeshadow, or chalk, you would need to fix the powder so it doesn't rub off or smudge.
With the use of eye shadow, how do you keep it stay on the page with out it going to other areas of you coloring pages and not transfering it to the page across from it
I believe I mention somewhere in the video about fixatives. Yes, you need to "fix" soft powders like charcoal, pastels and eye shadow or else, yes, they will smear, smudge and rub off.
HI Nat, yes, correct, woodless and the size and shape of a pencil, very easy to use, but harder so good for initial sketches and outlines, not as soft as other pastels. It's been several years since I purchased those, but I think I got them at Hobby Lobby and it was their house brand (Master's Touch, I believe). Nothing fancy, I just grabbed what was available at the local hobby store for options and examples. Happy coloring!
CherTheFire Thanks for your reply. We do not have Hobby Lobby here in the UK and even Amazon has only wooded pastel pencils. I suppose I just ignore that part of your video! ;-)
Who knows, there might be something you have access to somewhere around there...perhaps a few inquiries to some arts and crafts stores? Regardless, I'm sure you'll do great with whatever you have - that's the best place to start, with whatever you have! :-)
I think it is the house brand from Hobby Lobby...Master's Touch, I think? I believe that's where I got it. I try to get art supplies in places most people have access to so they can get started easily.
Regarding breaking your nu-pastels to "save" the number, is this common? Couldn't you just write down the numbers on a card & put the card in the box? I'm not being sarcastic... just curious, as I want to utilize the best hints/teaching methods recommended.
Sure you could! You could even do a little color line so you create a visual color to the number if you wanted (if it were me, I would do a little fixant to prevent smearing if I was going to keep it as a reference). There is another aspect to breaking in your pastels that I did not mention on the video and that is more of a mental aspect. Sometimes people have a resistance to using their new tools or the tools that look new because they want them to last. But what is the point of having the tool if you're not going to use it? Breaking in the pastels gives you sizes that are workable to use, and encourages you to use them because now they are broken in. And yes, it is common for pastels to be broken...but they are you're tools and you can do with them what you like. Some of the smaller ones don't necessarily need to be broken. I don't break my pastel pencils because I like the pencil shape.
Hello Cher, thanks a lot for this video. I would like to ask you : how can we simulate a misty background in a coloring. For example, we can see that type of coloring here : instagram.com/p/BEt3TYnoHQA/. I have no idea how to do that. Thank you very much for helping me. Friendly. Fred.
Hey there Friendly Fred. Thank you for the question. Perhaps that will be a future video. But to get you started on playing on your own, think of the background as soft: Softer colors, softer lines. Hard lines and vivid colors tend to show as fine details in a foreground. Another way to think of it as "out of focus", or just barely blurry so give the impression of far away.
Glad to hear that! I appreciate when someone takes the time to let me know they got something out of the videos. Now it's your turn to go play with color!
Cher I enjoy ALL your tutorials of EVERYTHING. The way you don't drag out the talking but still manage to really show everything. Thank you
Thanks Dawn!
Colouring is a relaxing activity for me. Am so glad to have guidance on what to do with all the fantastic stationery and tools I have. I have a more fulfilling experience while colouring thanks to you. Loads of gratitude your way!
My little one also benefits from your tips and tricks
I never knew there was so much variety of materials and textures and techniques available for the coloring book enthusiast which can be applied to the serious artist too.
+Cheryl Ginsberg yes - creativity really expands when you start to get playful with possibilities!! happy coloring!
What a wonderful thorough tutorial, I never would have thought to use chalk and eyeshadow....thanks so much for sharing and inspiring.....love your channel and have subscribed!
+Anita Holmes Thank you Anita - happy to have you join us!
Thank you I am a newbie. I never thought of the back ground
Thank you so much for this video! I found it very informative and helpful. I am new at coloring in the adult coloring books and I love the amount of choices you've demonstrated.
Thanks Susan..Yes, the world of coloring is an amazing place - glad to see you are exploring backgrounds!
Your gentle soft approach in these wonderful videos create such a relaxed learning environment. I so admire your vibe of piece and harmony that shines thru in all your tutorials. Great Instructor!!! Thank you.......
Thank you for your kind words!
Every one of your demos is a treasure. I have learned so many useful tips to enhance my coloring techniques. Kudos to you .
Thank you Dolores, I appreciate kind words and hearing those watching are getting new ideas and confidence in their own coloring work! Happy coloring!
Dolores Un
Dolores Ungerleider t
FANTASTIC TIPS! Thank you so much for sharing! JUST what I was looking for!
+MJ ROMERO YAY!! Enjoy your new expanded creativity!
I'm new to coloring and using pastels and I love how you took the time to show the different uses of pastels and eye shadow. I also like the different applicators you used in this video.
+Kathy Dee Thank you - I have found that if you have options you're more apt to play and experiment! Enjoy - happy coloring!
Oh, one more thing...I learned to use my pastels on backgrounds long ago. Instead of rubbing directly on the pastel, I was taught to take the pastel in one hand, being over were you want to lay down the color, and using a razor blade or Exacto knife scrape over the pastel so the shaving dust falls directly on your coloring page, then blend it out. Kind of a process, but I liked the results. To blend it was recommended to use one of the round/square face cleaning pads you showed in this video. You said you didn't care for the pads because they are too unpredictable & I agree, but I bet the cotton ball will do the trick. Just thought I would comment what has worked well for me. Thanks again for all the good info. Happy coloring!
Happy coloirng Lisa! I commented on your first note! Love a fellow creative sharing their expeience!
Hi Cher, Just wanted to say thank you for your presentation. This is only my 2nd video of your work, but I now subbed your yt channel. You are a very fine art technique teacher, ~clarity in explanation, soft-spoken, articulate and best of all humble. You offer common sense tools and useful tips for the novice as well as the advanced. I very rarely "comment" in yt. But I value your approach as well as your video content and wanted to encourage you. I'm retired, and now an "art hobbyist", sketching, coloring of beautiful Creation, especially from avian photograpy, however amateur be my attempts. I find I really enjoy this; its like studying, really seeing these birds and saying "thank You" to the Most High for such a blessing. Be safe and blessed.
Abby, I so appreciate you taking a moment, especially if it's not your norm to do so, to share your lovely thoughts. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the videos and getting something out of them. I know exactly what you mean with appreciating the details of the birds with new eyes as you find the nuances of Mother Nature's brilliance. Happy coloring!
I like to use the cosmetic q-tips that have the pointy end for small edges, etc. Love your videos so much that I actually self-published my own coloring book of fashion! Thanks for all your tips!
+Pj Lewis YES! the cosmetic q-tips can be used!! Congrats on your coloring book. Happy coloring!!
Thank you for you're videos, they are like having you're own art teacher, I live in Saudi at present and finding any art class is difficult , so a huge thanks , getting so much more out of my colouring now :)
+Angela Watson Thank you Angela for taking a moment to comment - yes - being able to reach people around the world and encourage them to be creative and play with color and drawing is so beneficial to mind, body and spirit. ENjoy your creative being!
I love this video, it was great and I learnrd a lot. I'm surprised the simple old cotton ball gave the lightest, smoothest effect. I will definitely be using more cotton balls. Up until now, I simply used a piece of soft cotton tee shirt fabric, wrapped around my index finger to blend eyeshadows and pastels, works pretty good except for the tiny spaces all pages have, I then go to a Q-tip. I'm sure cotton balls will be my "go to" blender from now on. Thanks so much, I really enjoyed your video, I watched every little bit of it! About to look for your other video's and am so anxious to see what you teach me next ♡
Ah, a fellow experiemental artist is here! Thanks for taking a moment to respond. I saw your second note about the pastel shavings as well - and yes, I learned that also with graphite! So much fun to play with the tools and see what quirky things they do and how we can utilize the oddity of a medium in our favor! Happy coloring! I'm glad you stopped by!
eyeshadow, wow, that's a very smart and creative idea!
Love all your videos and this was one was great for getting rid of that white space. Thanks so much for sharing. Can't wait for the next one!!!
+clnason yes~! explore some color! white space can be great, but sometimes it's about bringing the white space to life!
Love, love your video!! Thank you very much for your excellent guidance and patience for sharing this with us. I just bought myself some pastel chalk and this REALLY HELPS ME!! Take care.
+Carmelle LaPointe Wonderful Carmelle! Thank you!
Never thought to use eyeshadows!!! Great ideas!!
This video answers so many questions, and thank you for including the comments about the fixatives. Great video! Diana.
+Maxie Aunt You're welcome Diana! Appreciate you taking a moment to share! Yes! Wiith powdered mediums, you need to know how to fix them for storage and for long term! Happy day!
ua-cam.com/video/slPBa0Dx06c/v-deo.html I found the video! Here’s the video on fixatives!
Love the cosmetic sponges soft look. Thank you.
try out differnt ones, your touch may do some nice things with the other appliators, but I, too, like the softness of the cosmetic sponge.
#CherTheFire Thank you for sharing another great video! I never would have thought to use eye shadow, but now I will go look through my old makeup bags and see if I have any, lol. Love those pastel pencils and the effects you get with using cotton swabs and cotton balls. I have a set of soft pastels that I have yet to try, but I'm glad you have pointed out how toxic the dust maybe...I'll have to make sure the cat is in another room. @Pj Lewis
#Ingrid R The eyeshadow idea is cool , I have a lot of those dollar store eyeshadows that I don't use anymore @Pj Lewis
I really enjoyed this video and gave me some more videos for backgrounds on my projects. It is so true that sometimes people ignore the background with so much potential there
+Rachel Tomlinson YES! I love when people expand and at the very least give it a go at the background - it can completely change the depth of a picture! Happy coloring!
Love your videos. Just bought one of your books. Please keep making your videos.
Love your work and ideas for backgrounds in your videos !
Thanks !
Thanks Richard - happy coloring!
Thank you very much. I really enjoy your videos and learn a lot from them. Now I want to get out my chalks and eyeshadows and play.
+Joyce B yippee! play play play!
Thanks for your tutorials, concern. Happy Teacher's Day.
Thank you share for your time. Been wanting this info and haven't been able to get it from any if the artists I know. You are an Art Blessing
Thank you Sandra for taking a moment to drop a line. Wishing you many colorful moments in the coming year!
The eyeshadow idea is cool , I have a lot of those dollar store eyeshadows that I don't use anymore
perfect! they are now art supplies!
Outstandingly informative. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! Happy coloring!
Very informational...learned several things...thx! Enjoyed a lot. will keep as a reference...
Thanks, glad you found something new to apply in your coloring!
Excellent!
I've been wondering how to add color to my backgrounds! Thank you so much for this video!
Yay!! Happy Coloring!
So helpful. Thank you 😀
Excellent video Cher. I have been afraid to go anywhere near my backgrounds since I totally messed up my Secret Garden door page by trying to shade in a dark path with my pencils. :-( What a mess I made! Watching you work with - and seeing the softness of the eye shadow and make up sponges particularly - has really encouraged me. I've got a bag of those sponges in my cupboard that I never got around to using on my face - now I've got a use for them! :-)
+Colouring for GrownUps yay! super excited for you!! I'm sure this will completely change how you play with your coloring pages now! Happy coloring!!
I'm glad I discovered you on UA-cam...you answer a lot of questions I've had :-) Juliana in Woodbine, NJ
+Juliana Leo Yay! I'm glad to hear it! I hope you really enjoy playing with your new tools and creative ideas!
I love your videos so much!!! They help me with my Art tremendously!!! Thank you so much!!!! ❤❤❤❤
You're welcome! (I like InuYahsa, too!)
OMG!!! That's amazing!!! ❤
Thank you so much .Cher! I read the article that you recommended and the information was very helpful.
great! glad it helped!
Loving the whole video;thank you and love the Prisma firm pastels
Yay for having fun with your coloring tools!
Awesome video!
Ooops...forgot to add, LOVE your work and the help you provide to us all out here in computer land. Your talent is amazing!
Thanks, I appreciate it. Happy coloring!
i just love your videos! i have learned so much from you. thank you!!
So glad to hear it! Thank you Bitty!
Love Mandalas!!
Me too!
Great video! It made me want to try some of your techniques. But I am very new to colouring. Could you recommend a couple of fixatives so i know what to buy? Im in the UK if that helps. Thanks
Wished I haven't got rid of my old eyeshadows. Amazing creative ideas!! thank you.
Eh, I used stuff I bought at the local dollar store...if you're curious to try, you can get some there or a closeout or on sale something or other at the grocery store, too!
this is very helpful. thank you
Happy to hear it - thank you!
Thank youuuuuuu.That's really helpful.
Thank you! Happy coloring!
thank you for all of your videos! I'm a newbie and your tutorials fascinate me! cant wait to try the techniques I've learned from your channel. keep up the great work!
Fantastic Ingrid! Love hearing when someone is new and willing to try the techniques. Approach with fun and enthusiasm and it will always produce something interesting! Happy coloring!
Really appreciate your videos. So many great tips, TFS
thank you!
Backgrounds scare me. This video has helped so much. Thank you!
Yeah, those dreaded backgrounds .....lol....but now they can be fun!
The cosmetic sponge appears to be the best value considering that it can be re-washed and re-used, good to know. The various blenders all give a nice effect so in way it's just personal preference -- and I usually prefer best value. :P
It's worth playing around with. Dollar store has items to get started with just to see how it all works.
I just subscribed! Thank you so much! I'm watching all of your videos today & they've helped me out so much!!
Excellent! Happy coloring! Enjoy~
CherTheFire thank you had been really stuck (and making a mess)
Hope you found some new inspiration!
Thank you for your information.,
Happy coloring!
holy hollywackers lady! SO INFORMATIVE!! 💖💖💖 I never realized using various sponges etc would give such a nice effect, just wow. Btw, if you ever felt the need to "commercialize" your channel a bit (product reviews, studio tours, other random things etc), I wouldn't mind if that meant you would post more videos!! (The more videos someone has uploaded, the more likely YT will suggest one of their's in someone's sidebar.)
LOL...thanks for the comment. Since I started making these videos I have done a lot of other things! I am the author of 9 books, 8 of which are art related and 1 that is about a good introduction to essential oils (safety and understanding are so important!). I also have been deeply invested in learning about the world of tea and have a video series that will eventually be released here as well. I also have been creating my own hand-bound books that take up a lot of my creative time. Creating these videos requires help from my video guy and editor. When I can, I'll be back to add to the library list. In the meantime, if you are interested you can follow me on Instagram (cherthefire) to find out the most current workings and classes I teach in Texas. Videos will come, it's just a matter of logistics, topics and a few other incidentals. But I do try to stay on top of comments here because I do think that if someone took the time to write to me, I try to acknowledge them and perhaps answer a question or two here and there. I like to encourage curious creatives to keep going and to start somewhere! Thanks, again, Jasper, I appreciate you taking the time to watch, learn, discover and jot me a note. Happy coloring, happy exploring!
This is so helpful because backgrounds are always kind of scare me because don’t like to put before I do my painting & then stare at it thinking, Now how can I do this evenly, not get all over other images so tyvm!!
It will take some practice and just seeing what works best for you, but at least you're giving it a go, learning something new and expanding outside the lines!
Thank you for sharing another great video! I never would have thought to use eye shadow, but now I will go look through my old makeup bags and see if I have any, lol. Love those pastel pencils and the effects you get with using cotton swabs and cotton balls. I have a set of soft pastels that I have yet to try, but I'm glad you have pointed out how toxic the dust maybe...I'll have to make sure the cat is in another room.
+Bev Roberts HI Bev, unless your kitty is the type to hand around and lay on the page you are working on, it probably won't be a problem. Cats are very intuitive and particular and what they are willing to have around them, if they don't like the smell, they'll move on. On the dust, it shouldn't be blown into the air for everyone's health, including yours! Happy playing, happy coloring!
My cat is the worst -behaved cat I've ever had and he is clingy. His favorite hangout is my left shoulder. I hope you are correct and he won't like the smell, but he WILL sniff at least the first time...his curiosity is boundless, lol.
Very helpful Tipps, Thank you and I am looking for your beautiful mandala colouring books.
Best Wishes from Germany 💐
+Marita St. Thank you Marita! (I Love messages and pictures from around the world!) Happy day to you!
Thank you for the health warning on dust. I'm using watercolor mostly, a few color pencils and was looking at pastels. I did buy water soluble oil pastels and always wanted the chalk type but I think I will just stay away from them as I have very bad asthma at times.
It will depend on if you are working in a closed environment also. A nice spring day outside might be ok, but please take into consideration your own personal needs.
I bought a box of firm pastels. I took a little square of a baby wipe and folded it into a small square then rubbed the pastel and dabbed my color book paper. It made a defused background and when it dried (quickly), no loose powdery residue when I wiped my hand across the paper. No dust to get in the air or breathe in. :)
I used qtips to apply the makeup as well
Cher I really appreciate your tutorial on coloring backgrounds. Backgrounds are my least favorite thing to color but you have shown techniques to make coloring backgrounds interesting and easy. Do you work with the soft pastels the same as the firm? I have the soft pastels.
You can work with either. Pastels are a world all their own, soft work differently than hard, differently than oil, etc...for me personally, I rarely use pastels myself, but I do love the way they move and blend together. They are a fun medium. Here's an article you might want to take a look at with the difference between soft and hard pastels. www.how-to-draw-and-paint.com/soft-and-hard-pastels.html
Thank you so much for this video. I've been working on a quilling piece and realized half way through that I should have done something to the background first. HORROR! This video has saved my bacon. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!
Thank you for taking a moment to comment! YES! It's amazing how when our eye has been trained to focus on one area we miss the wonderful opportunity to express creativity supporting the focal point! - Feel free to post your quilt when you're all done - I would love to see!!!! Very excited for you being willing to explore more!
Thank you for the video. I never would have thought of using inexpensive eye shadows for creating backgrounds. Do the chalk and eye shadows smudge off and stain other pages in coloring books?
You can spray them with a fix if you need to. Workable fix or Final Fix will seal in the powders.
Are soft pastels more diffused? I ordered soft pastels online and am waiting to receive them, but now I'm wondering what the real difference is between the soft and firm. I really want a soft effect from the pastels but didn't research it ahead of time before I purchased. I know so much more about background options now after watching this video that I probably would have just gone with cheap eyeshadow palettes instead. Also, the pastel pencils you used in this tutorial, are they Kor-i-noor? They look great on camera!! I am so glad you produced this video Cher- it has been very helpful. I have learned a lot from you in the past 5 videos I've watched... Thank you so much!!
+Jennifer Cain HI Jennifer, soft pastels crumble easier which means they leave pigment down easier as well. Soft pastels are the most common pastels to work with when learning about pastels...You'll be fine with what you have! Firmer pastels and pastel pencils are great for fine work or details. The pastel pencils I used here were from whatever I picked up at Michael's art supply store...their store brand I think. :-) I like introducing items anyone can get their hands onto to play and practice with...I'd rather have people playing with color or drawing than waiting for something special before they begin! you can get creative with any of these at any time...add as you go :-). Thank you so much for taking a moment to share. I appreciate it! Happy coloring!
One thing I have plenty of and that's EYESHADOW! Now I know what to do with those palette colors that I will never wear! :D
+Irkallah YES! and just remember once they become art supplies, they stay art supplies, not eye supplies, ha ha. Enjoy, have fun!!!
I tried working with eyeshadow awhile ago but have never seen it anywhere else; last night I bought some cheep multipurpose paintbrushes from Walmart last night, to see if I can paint, make up on an entire picture; all my makeup came from dollar tree.
OH yes, you can! It's a technique I didn't show, but you can use a little bit of water and use it like paint - just be mindful to not use too much water on paper not designed for wet media. Have fun!
If you have trouble with the dust entering your airways, you could wear a mask. Wearing a mask is almost standard in Korea where I've been working since 2008. You get disposable ones, or you can wear a washable cotton mask.
+Marisa Vosloo thanks for the additional tip!
I recently got some oil pastels. I experimented with them and made a glorious mess. Sure would like to know how you use those for backgrounds.
I feel for you...first rule of pastels - be prepared for a glorious mess! Pastels are meant to move, they have a sort of artistic freedom in expression. You can use small tools, like ones shown in the video to help with edges or you can erase areas you do not want to be covered in the color. Another way to do it, but it takes patience and time is to mask out the entire area you do not want any pastel on, do your pastels, then remove the mask. Spray the paper to protect the pastel with a fixative so it stays put and then color with your choice of medium. I'll tell you, oil pastels are not my first pic as they require extra drying time to cure completely (they are, after all, oil based).
Excellent information for various mediums. Just what I needed for my art projects. Thanks.
Q: Are there multimedia coloring books yet?
Thanks Donna for commenting! Glad you found the video helpful! There aren't any mixed media coloring books per se that I am aware of, but there are some books/calendars that have some thicker paper that can take a bit of layering.
CherTheFire Thanks again.
#Kathy Dee The eyeshadow idea is cool , I have a lot of those dollar store eyeshadows that I don't use anymore @Jennifer Cain
I'm looking to try using eyeshadow and was wondering if you could get the same effect using glitter eyeshadow
+Monique Turner try it!
You might be interested to know that I successfully use a very small, dry, square cut paint brush to move my Stabilo pastel pencil dust around. Much safer than a q tip. Also blends two colors. Try it's!
+Rosemarie Chris Thank you for the tip!
I have used gel highlighters for bibles. Just rubbed onto my finger, the used my finger to paint empty space.
+Irene Matas you might enjoy my gel pen video that talks about smear the gel pen for intentional coloring! ua-cam.com/video/qkOo0RoUB3Q/v-deo.html
Hope you're doing well Cher xxx
Doing well - thanks for asking! Happy coloring!
Great video, thanks.
I have a question about paper.
If I want to print a page to color, what is the best kind of paper to use in my printer?
+Marcia Arensberg Hi Marcia, thanks for asking, I appreciate when people take a moment to write a reponse or question.. I've been asked this question before and I'll copy my answer that I gave to others. But before I do, keep in mind the answer is based off of copying a coloring book page and not coloring in the book. If you are trying to print a downloadable image and need to print it, start with cardstock. Here is the answer about copying from a coloring book: I have mixed feelings on this question in all honesty for several reasons....the paper is part of the experience when coloring. The editor purposely chose great paper for the best coloring experience. When a person copies images to a secondary paper, they change the paper, which can change the experience. Secondarily, copyright law says that the consumer can create a single copy for personal use, but beyond that, the images are not meant to be copied or used without permission from the publishing company. Not to be a downer, because I understand the reasoning behind why people are hesitant to color in their books, but from my experience, it always makes me ask the question, what other parts of your life do you withhold from experiencing the whole moment just as is, fully in the moment as it was meant to be experienced? Sometimes it can be quite liberating to "break" your own rule and allow yourself to be fully with the original art on the original paper
+CherTheFire Thanks for the response Cher. I always color in my books, that is why I bought them in the first place.
I am particularly interested in printing a downloadable image and just plain printer paper isn't doing it for me, you feel that card stock is the best for that?
+Marcia Arensberg Yay! I'm so excited to hear you color in your books!! Makes my heart happy! for downloadable images, I'd start with cardstock (it will feel different than coloring book pages but will be much more substantial than regular printer paper).
Thanks, off to Staples I go for some cardstock.
Great video! Can you tell me what type of brand paper you are using? I don't color in my coloring books, I rather print it out, thanks ...
+Sunya Clark HI Sunya, I have mixed feelings on this question in all honesty for several reasons....the paper is part of the experience when coloring. The editor purposely chose great paper for the best coloring experience. When a person copies images to a secondary paper, they change the paper, which can change the experience. Secondarily, copyright law says that the consumer can create a single copy for personal use, but beyond that, the images are not meant to be copied or used without permission from the publishing company. Not to be a downer, because I understand the reasoning behind why people are hesitant to color in their books, but from my experience, it always makes me ask the question, what other parts of your life do you withhold from experiencing the whole moment just as is, fully in the moment as it was meant to be experienced? Sometimes it can be quite liberating to "break" your own rule and allow yourself to be fully with the original art on the original paper.
k
subscribed 😊
Thanks!
I do not not got gum sol yet can you do backgrounds with prsmapincles and with baby oil
HI Brandon, I have addressed this question in another video talking about solvents: ua-cam.com/video/b7bnoKAlpNQ/v-deo.html
I also show beginner solvents in this video as well: ua-cam.com/video/luC6GMVBlbw/v-deo.html
Should we put the fixative after painting all the page? Or after painting only the background that is if painting the background first. Thanks
+Rosa Caamano If you use a WORKABLE Fixative, you can spray the work and then continue to work on top of everything, even adding to the background. If you use a FINAL FIX, then i suggest you wait to the end and do the whole thing at once. If i'm working on a coloring book image, I always do my background last because i don't know what the colors are that I will be using.....that's slightly different than if I were PAINTING with oil or acrylics, etc. So, to clarify, with painting with paint, there is no need for the fixative, if coloring with pencils, markers, etc and you are adding a soft powder to your background, like pastel, eyeshadow, or chalk, you would need to fix the powder so it doesn't rub off or smudge.
With the use of eye shadow, how do you keep it stay on the page with out it going to other areas of you coloring pages and not transfering it to the page across from it
I believe I mention somewhere in the video about fixatives. Yes, you need to "fix" soft powders like charcoal, pastels and eye shadow or else, yes, they will smear, smudge and rub off.
Could you color the background with crayons then take a heat gun and blend it using a qtip?
Did you give it a try and see what happened???
pastel pencil: when you hit with the qtip was an oh,WOW"
what art blog are out there for coloring
you can google the subject of art blogs or coloring blogs and you should be able to pick some out quickly from the US, Canada and UK.
What brand are your pastel pencils? All the ones I have seen are wooded and yours seem woodless.
HI Nat, yes, correct, woodless and the size and shape of a pencil, very easy to use, but harder so good for initial sketches and outlines, not as soft as other pastels. It's been several years since I purchased those, but I think I got them at Hobby Lobby and it was their house brand (Master's Touch, I believe). Nothing fancy, I just grabbed what was available at the local hobby store for options and examples. Happy coloring!
CherTheFire Thanks for your reply. We do not have Hobby Lobby here in the UK and even Amazon has only wooded pastel pencils. I suppose I just ignore that part of your video! ;-)
Who knows, there might be something you have access to somewhere around there...perhaps a few inquiries to some arts and crafts stores? Regardless, I'm sure you'll do great with whatever you have - that's the best place to start, with whatever you have! :-)
why not try the wet brush with the eye shadow?
+relicsong go for it! see what it does.
Can it work with prisma wight Pinceil
Use whatever you have! Any color pencils you have is fine!
What brand of pastel pencil are you using in this video?
I think it is the house brand from Hobby Lobby...Master's Touch, I think? I believe that's where I got it. I try to get art supplies in places most people have access to so they can get started easily.
cher the fire why do you have to start with the ligter color
Can you clarify your question?
Regarding breaking your nu-pastels to "save" the number, is this common? Couldn't you just write down the numbers on a card & put the card in the box? I'm not being sarcastic... just curious, as I want to utilize the best hints/teaching methods recommended.
Sure you could! You could even do a little color line so you create a visual color to the number if you wanted (if it were me, I would do a little fixant to prevent smearing if I was going to keep it as a reference). There is another aspect to breaking in your pastels that I did not mention on the video and that is more of a mental aspect. Sometimes people have a resistance to using their new tools or the tools that look new because they want them to last. But what is the point of having the tool if you're not going to use it? Breaking in the pastels gives you sizes that are workable to use, and encourages you to use them because now they are broken in. And yes, it is common for pastels to be broken...but they are you're tools and you can do with them what you like. Some of the smaller ones don't necessarily need to be broken. I don't break my pastel pencils because I like the pencil shape.
Hello Cher, thanks a lot for this video. I would like to ask you : how can we simulate a misty background in a coloring. For example, we can see that type of coloring here : instagram.com/p/BEt3TYnoHQA/.
I have no idea how to do that. Thank you very much for helping me.
Friendly. Fred.
Hey there Friendly Fred. Thank you for the question. Perhaps that will be a future video. But to get you started on playing on your own, think of the background as soft: Softer colors, softer lines. Hard lines and vivid colors tend to show as fine details in a foreground. Another way to think of it as "out of focus", or just barely blurry so give the impression of far away.
Hello Cher, Thanks a lot. I will try it ! Hope you will soon post a video on that subject. Best regards.
It's pronounced Man Dell a
Very useful, thank you!!
Glad to hear that! I appreciate when someone takes the time to let me know they got something out of the videos. Now it's your turn to go play with color!
@@CherTheFire 😍😎