Monochrome Magic: Mastering the Art of One-Color Design
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Monochrome Definition: Focus on one primary color family, utilizing light, medium, and dark tones to create depth and dimension.
Tone-on-Tone Techniques: Use colored cardstock as your base and highlight, then build darker shadows using matching alcohol markers and dye inks.
Subtle Textures: Add interest without breaking the color scheme by incorporating white heat embossing and soft gouache splatters.
Coordinated Finishing: Tie the look together with neutral twine and metallic embellishments that complement your chosen hue.
Hello there, Michelle here with another edition of Terrific Tags with Michelle.
Today I have a fun technique to share - using monochrome in cardmaking. Monochrome means using just one color (or black and white) but using different shades of that color. In this case, I am using a dusty pink tone. I have light, medium and dark tones, which brings depth to the card.
Monochrome Coloring
I started off my card with the focal point - the stamped image. I stamped the floral image from Charming Flowers Stamp Set onto Crafty Necessities: Sandy Blush Cardstock using Embossing Ink.
I applied Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. It was then die cut out using the Charming Flowers Die Set.
To add color to the image, I used Cottage Garden Artists Alcohol Marker Set N. I first added C027 Dusty Pink into the areas that would be the darkest. I then blended that out using Y803 Strawberry.
This added depth to the image but still kept it monochrome. You could add more shades here, but I kept mine simple, using the color of the cardstock as my lightest shade. You could use a white pencil if you wanted an even lighter shade for highlights.
Monochrome Layer
I wanted to have the floral image sitting on something, rather than just on the card base itself, so I added in a layer using a tag.
I die cut the middle-sized tag from Terrific Tags Die Set from Crafty Necessities: Sandy Blush Cardstock. I wanted to add some depth to the tag, so that it looked there were shadows underneath the flowers but of course, wanted to keep it monochrome.
Using the floral image as a guide, I added ink blending to the tag using Dusty Pink and Blush Rose Fresh Dye Inks and a Mini Blending Brush.
Both of these shades of ink match the cardstock well, so keep to the monochrome color palette.
I added twine through the top of the tag (in a natural shade. Not strictly monochrome but isn't so far away from the color palette to distract) and tied in a bow. The image was adhered on top using Instant Dimension Foam Tape.
Monochrome Base, Sentiment + Embellishments
For the base, I took a panel of Crafty Necessities: Sandy Blush Cardstock and mixed a little Titanium White Artists' Gouache with water. It was splattered onto the cardstock using a size 4 brush. Again, this is light enough to not take away from the monochrome color palette but adds some detail to the card.
The panel was adhered to a white A2 sized card base using Glue Tape and the tag adhered on top using Instant Dimension Foam Tape.
I stamped a sentiment from Charming Flowers Stamp Set onto more Crafty Necessities: Sandy Blush Cardstock and heat embossed. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card with more Instant Dimension Foam Tape.
To finish, I embellished with Stellar Sequins - Peony Gold. These are the perfect shade to work with this color palette!
Video Tutorial: Monochrome Magic
I hope I have inspired you to try creating with a monochrome palette. You can watch the video tutorial below or over on YouTube.
Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope you have a wonderful day!
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