A Massive Thank You xx

Hello everyone. I just wanted to post a quick note to say a massive thank you to everyone for all your very kind get well wishes. Unfortunately I have been unable to make any cards and had no choice but to stop the production of The Next Level as I had been suffering with extreme migraines and double vision, which were always triggered by close work and the computer. These have now been diagnosed as Hemiplegic Migraines, which is quite a rare form, and unfortunately the trigger seems to be the computer and close visual work. I am hoping that this will settle down in time, and that I can slowly return to my real love and passion of creating cards and even in time reinstate The Next Level alongside Dawn - but in the meantime unfortunately I will not be blog hopping or spending very much time on line - I am limiting myself to just 15 minutes a day - tops.

So please forgive my absence, I really miss you all.

Love Ann xxxx

THE NEXT LEVEL

.

It is with regret and sadness that unfortunately we have to announce that we are unable to continue with The Next Level.

Over the past couple of weeks Ann has been quite poorly and has not been able to spend a great deal of time on the computer or able to make any cards. The relationship and partnership that we share has been outstanding, with a system where Ann maintained the writing and content of the blog and Dawn managed 'front of house'. Now with Ann presently unable to continue with the writing and Dawn having dyslexia, we have no choice but to cease production.

We would sincerely like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past 2 months and our loyal Followers and we are so sorry that we are unable to continue at this time. We would also like to say a very special thank you to our Design Team, Abby, Beth, Debbie, Mindy, and True for the beautiful work and tutorials they produced for us and we hope that you will continue to follow their blogs and keep up to date with the fine creatons that they produce.

We are not sure whether we will re-start The Next Level at some point in the future, but we will leave the blog with all its current content in place if anyone wants to re-visit to pick up past tutorials, hints and tips etc.

Thank you,

Ann and Dawn xxxxx

CHALLENGE 7 PRIZE WINNERS

Our two prize winners this week, were chosen by Random.org - based upon the number allocated at the time the comment entry was made in the Challenge section.

The first selected prize winner is Teri from Teri's Cards and Toppers. Congratulations you win the Priscillastyles Envelope Kit and stunning envelope. Click HERE for anyone who would like to purchase one of these fantastic Kits to go right to the purchase link page.

.

The second selected prize winner of the $25 credit voucher from Hope Stamps Eternal is Lisa from Lisa's Paper Fun. Click HERE to pop along to the shop front and start selecting your prize.

.

Could all prize winners please e-mail us at The Next Level so that we can arrange for you to receive your prizes.

THE NEXT LEVEL - ISSUE 7

.

THE NEXT LEVEL - ISSUE 7

Back to one full issue this week - so click on the links below to take you to all sections. We have a great Challenge this week which is a Sketch with a little twist. Fantastic prizes on offer from our Sponsors, Copic shading Tutorials and some extras, the usual Hints and Tips section and some really lovely Freebie downloads.

Ann and Dawn xxx

.

Scroll down the page to access each of the sections below

Announcements

Sponsors and Prizes of the Week

Challenge of the Week

Tutorials

Hints and Tips

Grab that Stash

Have Your Say

.

.

Challenge 6 Prize Winners

Our four prize winners this week, were chosen by Random.org - based upon the number allocated at the time the comment entry was made in the Challenge section.

The first selected prize winner is Beccy from Beccysbits. Congratulations you win the Kim Sherrod Stamp set of your choice. Click HERE to go to the stamp collection page so you can start choosing.

We now have 3 further Prize winners of the Bow Maker Kit from Stamp Simply. The three lucky winners are Jeannie from Lilac Kitty Creations, Regina from Scrap Creations, and Jill from A Life Well Crafted. If you were not a lucky winner click HERE to purchase one.

Could all prize winners please e-mail us at The Next Level so that we can arrange for you to receive your prizes..

SPONSORS AND PRIZES OF THE WEEK

This week our two sponsors have donated fabulous prizes for the two prize winners of the Challenge 7.

.

Priscillastyles is the creator of the most fantastic Envelope Templates, that are in varying sizes, but the prize that is on offer today is the 6 x 6 inch thick envelope template which is ideal to use with the 3D cards featured in the Challenge this week. Alongside the Kit, Priscilla is also giving away this magnificent envelope that she has prepared using the kit. Click on the Priscillastyles link above for more details of how you can proceed to purchase these kits it you cannot wait to see if you are the lucky winner this week.

.

Hope Stamps Eternal have a fantastic on-line store and they are offering a


$25 CREDIT VOUCHER


for the winner to spend of items of their choice - what a great prize. Click on the Hope Stamps Eternal link to go direct to their website to browse the store - you will not be disappointed.
Currently they are taking pre-orders for the Autumn collection of Martha Stewart punches - definitely one not to be missed!!!!

.

The winners of this week's prizes will be announced under the Announcements section of Issue 8 out next Monday. The winners will be selected by the first 2 numbers selected by Random.Org. based upon the number allocated at the time of posting their challenge entry.

Good Luck everyone xx

CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

.

CHALLENGE 7 - SKETCH WITH 3D IMAGE

.

.his week we have a Sketch for you - but with a twist - your image needs to be layered or raised in a 3D effect. The design team have created some fantastic cards to give you inspiration. A special Thank You this week to Jacque from Jacque's Joie De Vivre who is our Guest Design Team member of the week - thank you Jacque for your gorgeous creation

.

Click HERE to download the actual size template

Click on the Design Team cards to open them in a new window for more detail, and click on the DT name over the card to take you to their blog site for more detail on the created their card for the Challenge this week.

.

ABBY

BETH

DAWN


DEBBIE


JACQUE


TRUE

Closing date for entries to be in for the prize draw is Sunday 20th July - 9pm UK time.

TUTORIALS OF THE WEEK

This week we have Two Tutorials - centred around using Copic pens, but in the case of the First Tutorial, you can easily use Pro Markers to get the same effect. The second Tutorial is designed to assist you in Choosing your Copic Colours from their fantastic range of 322 colours to get the right colour blend and shading, together with a downloadable Blank Colour Chart for you to keep a track of the colours you purchase.

SHADING WITH ALCOHOL INK PENS

When I made my DT card for Issue 1 of The Next Level, I took photographs at each stage of the colouring to show how the finished effect was made up. The secret to colouring with Copics or Pro Markers is to start off with the lightest shade possible. When I first started buying Copics and Pro Markers - I always went for the bright and pretty colours, but quickly learned that my images lacked shading and depth, because if you start off with too dark a colour, you really have nowhere to go when you want to shade it even darker.

Later on in the Tutorials, I have shown the Copic Colour Wheel to help everyone understand the Copic Colours, and the best colours to start most images off with are the ones on the very extreme of the colour wheel, usually with numbers ending in 00, 000, or even 0000.

Above you will see the finished image, which has been layered to produce a 3D effect. This does mean quite a bit of work, as you have to colour each image separately - always make sure you keep your best one for the top layer. In all of the images below you will see on the right hand side a completed image, so you can track how it is made up in the varying colouring stages.


To start with the whole of the pink section of the dress was coloured in RV00

Now go over the outside edges and in the creases and folds with the same RV00 to build up some depth

Then I have started to build up the shading with RV02, clearly defining the edges and where dark shading will fall. I am cautious that I keep the centre areas untouched now as much as possible because this is where I deem the light will be falling, full on the front.

I finally added RV34 to the areas I wanted the most depth and then again blended this in with the RV00

Now I have started to colour the green part of the dress. Here I have used BG10 and coloured all parts

Here I have started to show the shaded areas with BG13 colouring the areas that would be shaded from the light or darker because of folding

Now I have used the darker of my 3 greens, BG15 and put deep colouring on the areas where I want to show the most depth and shade

Then I blended all three colours together with BG10 my lightest green shade, pushing the colours towards the lightest section, but not going over the paler area where I want to keep the most light falling on the dress

Here is the finished image completely coloured and ready to go on the card.

.

THE COPIC COLOUR WHEEL

Copic Markers come in a range of 322 different colours - just amazing - choosing colours is just like being in a Sweet Shop. But be wary and buy wisely - as there is a method is choosing the blend and shade of colours to get the right effect in your colouring.

The Copic pens come in 3 different types, the Original Marker, which are the largest of the 3 and square in shape, the Sketch which is the next size down and oval in shape, and finally the Ciao which is the smallest in the range and circular in shape. Average prices are around £5 for the Original, £3.50 for the Sketch and £2 for the Ciao. The 322 colour range is available predominantly in the Sketch range. If you use the Copic Airbrushing system, it does state that this only works with the original Markers, but I find that they work just as well with the Sketch

The Colour Wheel below is downloadable, either by right clicking on the image and pasting to your desktop, or by clicking on the link below where the image will appear and you can then save. Ideally the best way to view the wheel to get the most information and detail of colour is on screen, you can print it off, but you will need to re-size the downloaded image, and remember the colours will ony be as good as your printer and printer inks define!!!!

You will see on the right hand side of the Colour Wheel the detail of how to chose the right colour, how to make sure that colours blend together and are in the same 'family' of colours, and how to select a set of ideally 3 close colours in the family, to get the best effect when blending and shading.

Click on the Image below and this will open up to fill your screen so you can get a good view of the colours and then scroll to the right to see the information of choosing the right range of colours.

Below is the image of the 2 pages that you can download from the link below so that you can colour in the sections as you buy your Copic pens, to keep a track of the colours you have. When I am preparing to colour an image, I first pull all of my papers together and then sit them alongside my colour chart - I then write down the numbers that offer the best colour combination and then go and select from my stash.

Here are the links if you wish to download the images of the blank colour charts, and remember you will need to re-size them on your printer to fit on two A4 sheets. The link is also below for the Copic Colour Wheel - again resize this to suit, but you will get the best image and colour detail when viewing on your computer.

Copic Colour Wheel

Copic Blank Colour Chart 1

Copic Blank Colour Chart 2

.

Well I hope this has given you food for thought on using Copic and Pro Markers. I by no means am an expert in the art of colouring, but I am learning, and the best way to learn is to keep practicing - enjoy !!!!

Ann xxx