Hello my crafty friends!! I'm here today with a fun and cool thing...a product review! The people at Spectrum Noir were kind enough to send me a set of their Spectrum Noir Art Markers to test out. WOWZA! They were very generous and gave me lots of choices in ink colors, and also some wonderful paper. These markers are alcohol based so the colors blend easily and nicely. They come in color families also, so you can buy one color family at a time, which is a neat way to package!
I got out one of my favorite images from Taylored Expressions to color - the pretty pansies in a teacup - and went to town! I found that the markers were very easy to match and use. They come with a bullet tip and a large, broad tip. You can buy brush tips and change them out if you like. I found that I liked the small bullet tip for getting into those tight areas of coloring. And, I LOVE the paper they sent! The ink sort of glides on top of the paper for a second, so that you can blend before the ink dries. Very cool indeed.
Here's my finished card:
The pansies were colored with a few shades of purple and lavendar and I chose a nice aqua shade for the cup and saucer. The sentiment was stamped onto vellum with Stayz-on ink for a crisp look. When I color, I put down my lightest shade of color first. Then I go back over that with at least one other darker shade. Then, I use the lightest shade to blend over the image.
I cut and colored a second one of the big flowers and popped it on some foam tape to add dimension and interest. I thought about adding glitter, but decided no... Can you see the nice blending of the marker colors?
I hardly ever use purple....and every time I do I think "why don't I do this more!?" Such a soft and feminine look. I added some Doodlebug Sprinkles to finish off my card.
Here are all the markers in their stand (the greys are in the smaller package) and the paper pack...
The Spectrum Noir markers come in color families for easy blending. The FS colors will all have the same shade and depth of color...so will the CG, and so on. This is a great system for beginners or experts both!
I always use Memento ink pads when I color with Alcohol based markers...
Here is my color chart - I do this often when I am trying to pick colors for a project...
And my final marker color selections....
Thank you so much for coming by today! Have a great weekend! We are busy as little bees in our hive this weekend. In between some things we have planned, we are turning our guest room into a home gym! We ordered our treadmill last night and also picked out paint color... The hubs is in there right now getting the room prepped. Can't wait to have it done! XO
When I see how you use it, I wonder why I hardly use purple either! Really gorgeous, my friend!
Posted by: Audrey Pettit | 04/10/2014 at 09:14 AM
I've heard lots of good things about those Spectrum markers. Sounds like they are winners. Love your coloring as always. Such a pretty vibrant pink!
Posted by: Princess Judy | 04/07/2014 at 12:58 PM
This is fabulous, Wanda! Gorgeous coloring! I think the same way about purple... :)
Posted by: Stephanie Kraft | 04/07/2014 at 09:21 AM
I'm not sure which I love more, the beautiful card or your Copic holders.... WOW, just amazing.... Thanks for sharing your creativity....
Posted by: Ms Cookie | 04/06/2014 at 10:41 AM
Beautiful card. I'm curious about the paper. Mark bought me a big set of another brand of alcohol markers and I'm having some trouble with the blending. Maybe a change of paper would help. I do love the intense colors.
Posted by: julie | 04/06/2014 at 10:28 AM
Gorgeous coloring..and super sweet they gave you the markers to try them out....love the way the store them...
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 04/06/2014 at 09:25 AM
Wonderful card! Like the new markers. Like the price too!
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 04/06/2014 at 08:52 AM
Wow this is absolutely beautiful. You do such an amazing job coloring. I wish I could color half that well.
Posted by: Linda S. | 04/06/2014 at 08:45 AM
Wow! NICE freebie!Beautiful card~
Posted by: vicki dutcher | 04/06/2014 at 07:07 AM
Simply beautiful card. I love the coloring!
Posted by: F Bond | 04/06/2014 at 06:57 AM
Absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Lynn Put | 04/06/2014 at 05:28 AM
Seriously STUNNING!
Posted by: Kendra | 04/05/2014 at 04:12 PM
Beautiful coloring, as always, Wanda. As you know, I'm alcohol-marker-coloring challenged, but I tend to shy away from Copics these days because of the cost. The Spectrum Noir are much more reasonably priced from what I understand.
This is another stunning card from you and if you hadn't told me they were another brand I wouldn't have known the difference.
Enjoy your weekend!! ♥
Posted by: Lisa - papergrace | 04/05/2014 at 11:38 AM