Inspire Me Monday: A new use for those chisel nibs!

Hi Power Poppy peeps! We've got a special treat for you this Monday! One of our absolute favorite professional coloristas is here with us this week and guess what? She's flipping the lid on her Copic Markers to show us an ingenious way to use a part of the marker that doesn't often see the light of day. Amy Shulke from VanillaArts.com is working her magic to give a new and creative use for those Copic chisel nibs using Power Poppy's Gerbera Daisies.

Take it away Amy! 

TIP #1: Do you think of the chisel nib as "the refill end"? I'm about to color this entire image with just the chisel. I've concentrated the dark confetti strokes in patches rather than scattering them willy-nilly. This calms the background and will keep it from overpowering the flowers.


TIP #2:  Just because I'm using loose confetti type strokes doesn't mean I don't need accurate shade values. This dark purple will push the hand-drawn leaves deeper into the bouquet.

TIP #3: Coloring smaller areas with a chisel nib? I can get three distinct stroke shapes from the same nib using the broad side, the narrow side or just the corner. Narrow strokes and corner strokes fill the button shapes nicely.

TIP #4: A cast shadow always adds a sense of spatial depth and reality, even if most viewers never notice it.

TIP #5: I put off the yellow until last because I wasn't quite sure how deep of a yellow was necessary. By waiting until everything else was complete, I was able to make an educated decision rather than a random guess. I had set aside a darker group of yellows which turned out to be too similar to the background. Glad I waited!

TIP #6:  My pencil strokes either match the shape and size of the marker strokes or they're super soft and barely there. Accent the marker work, don't hide it.

Thanks so much for sharing Amy! I absolutely love the results and can't wait to create my own confetti background and chisel nib creation! For those that joined us today -- do you want to give this technique a whirl? Be sure to leave a link in the comments section if you do give it a try!

If you think you might need a little extra help pulling off this look, you're in luck! This Friday -- September 14 -- at 11 AM EST, you can join Amy for a LIVE lesson on how to control your chisel nib markers and discover what chisel nibs do best --  allow your inner artistic voice to shine!

Can't make the class, don't worry! Amy offers a recording immediately after the live broadcast ends and you can watch as many times as you want until March 1st, 2019! Want to know more? Just CLICK HERE for all the deets!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Monday everyone!