iPhone Digital Art using ColorBlast and ColorSplash

I had a tough time deciding between two interesting photography iPhone color apps, so I bought them both and had a bit of fun with one of the Christmas  pictures we took at the Keowee lake house last month. 

Both ColorBlast and ColorSplash automatically change your photo to Black and White and then allow you to bring a pop of color back in where you want it.  There are slight differences in the two programs but both work great and are fun to play with.

This is the ColorBlast picture I created; where I put color back into all the 

Christmas related items and made the background a sepia tint.

(ColorBlast allows you to change the unpainted areas to a selection of tints rather than 

having to keep them just as Black & White)

This is the ColorSplash picture I created;

where I put color back into all the Christmas related items 

and the background stays B&W

 This was the original picture in full color

Here is how I created the photo using 

the ColorSplash App

 

 I opened the ColorSplash App - The first icon with the Apple.

Click HERE for a link to ColorSplash - an iPhone application

 When you upload your photo it automatically turns it to B&W

Then you use can restore the original colors to whatever portions 

of the picture you choose to give that pop of color.

 I choose to restore the original colors to all the Christmas items.
It's simple, since all you need to do is select Color at the bottom of the iPhone screen and then use your finger to move over the areas you want the color restored.
To change an area back to B&W, select Gray at the bottom of the screen and move your finger back over that area. 

This was the final ColorSplash result.

 

 Here is how I created the photo using 

the ColorBlast App

 I opened the ColorBlast App - the second icon with the red rose.

Click HERE for a link to ColorBlast - an iPhone application

Like the other application; ColorBlast automatically changes your photo to B&W.
You can then restore the original color where you want.
Your finger is still the paintbrush; however there are a few coloring tool options
to help you with this process (I like the spray paint function).
You then have the option of changing the tint of the unpainted portion
instead of just having a B&W backdrop.

To change the background tint, select the lower left icon

 Sepia Tint

Cobalt Tint
 

 Green Tint

Purple Tint

Red Tint

Once you select a background tint you can adjust its tone using the Hue and Exposure settings (by selecting the last brush icon on the bottom of the screen)  to create just the right mood for your shot.  ColorBlast also lets you adjust the color saturation as you work by selecting the greenish rectangle at the bottom of the screen.  Using the Hue and Exposure settings can also help you quickly change colors of an item.
ColorBlast is a fun application with lots of diversity.

This was my final ColorBlast creation of this scene.

I liked the warmth the sepia background gave and the pop of Christmas color 

distracted from the how cluttered the area seems when it is in full color.

*********
Another great thing about ColorBlast is that by adjusting the Hue and Exposure
you can change the color of an item in the shot.

 Here is my original picture; which
I will zoom in on the Santa Hat only.

I colored in only the Santa Hat
so that it is back to its original Red and White color.

 When I tap the last bottom icon,
it opens up the Hue and Exposure feature.
This mid-range setting leaves the hat in its original color.

 Moving the Hue setting to the right changes the hat to green.

Moving the Hue setting to the left gives me a blue hat and
I also tweaked the exposure to make it a bright blue.
 

When I zoom out you see everything is black and white
except for the now Blue Santa Hat.

Then if I change the color saturation, this introduces all the original color
back into the photo except for now I have a Blue Santa Hat instead of a
Red Santa Hat that was in the original photo. Fun!


If I could only have one of these applications I would go with ColorBlast;
since it seems to allow me to do so much more with my photos but seeing as I
have both it will be interesting to see what future updates may latter
appear for both of these applications.

Grins and Giggles,
  Evelyn

Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique - an alternate to the Polished Stone Technique

Faskolor Paints are used by hobbyists to airbrush on model cars but I enjoy using these paints on my creative projects.  I have also used other brands such as Createx; just check the airbrush section of you hobby or craft store and you should find a comparable type of model car paint. 

Regardless of the brand; I always use the pearlized colors, since I like the shimmer those give my projects.
 

The key to the look I get is to use the pearlized model car paint on black glossy cardstock.  You need the glossy black to get the bright pop of color in the finished projects you will see here.

An example of a Faskolor Background using the Kiss Technique.

Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique

 Supplies:

• One sheet of Black Glossy Cardstock cut in half.
• Faskolor Paint in several colors (or other car model airbrush paint)
• Lots of scrap paper and tissues to protect your work surface and wipe your hands.

Drop lots of dots of paint all over one piece of the glossy cardstock.

Too much paint and you won't get good swirling, Too little paint and the 

the glossy cardstock faces will try and stick to each other and the surface 

will tear apart when you do the Kiss technique.

Lay the second piece of black glossy cardstock face down on top of the

paint topped piece so the two KISS.

Lightly press down with your fingertips and spread the paint around between

the two sheets. This part gets a bit messy since excess paint will squeeze out the 

edges. You can wipe off the excess with tissue or you can scrape off the paint 

and place it to the side to decorate another piece of paper.

Gently lift from the corner and peal the top away from the bottom.

Pull up slowly to get small veining - Pull up faster to get larger swirls.

The finished product will be two pieces that are mirror images of each other.

The bottom portion was pulled slowly and the top portion was pulled up faster

giving the two different swirling effects.
 

Using the mirror halves gives a great optical background.

Examples using Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique:

Buildings were stamped on transparency film and the transparency was 

attached over the Faskolor background using spray adhesive.

Rubber stamp image by Viva Las Vegas Stamps.

Animal print was printed onto transparency film; which was attached

to the Faskolor background using spray adhesive.  

A vintage image was attached on top to create a fun and simple ATC (Artist Trading Card).
 

Domino Art using the Faskolor Paint Background using the Kiss Technique.

The domino was painted black and the same technique as above was 

used but domino to domino instead of glossy cardstock.

(Inkadinkado Image was rubber stamped once the paint was dry.)

 

Grins and Giggles,

 Evelyn (EKDuncan)

Examples using the Sharpie Polished Stone Technique

Game Tile Art

Stamps by Third Coast Rubber Stamps

The great thing about using Sharpie Polished Stone technique is that it can be done on most non-porous and some semi-porous surfaces. Depending on the material you can either apply the Sharpie pen ink directly to the surface and then apply the alcohol or you can first scribble the Sharpie ink onto an old CD no longer in uses then spray the CD or  felt pad with alcohol, swirl it in the Sharpie ink you scribbled down and transfer the color to your work surface.  For game tiles I apply the ink straight to the tile but for items like clayboard or glossy cardstock I transfer the color using the CD method.

Here are some of the items I've had fun creating 
using the  Sharpie Polished Stone Technique:

Game Tile Art ATC Lady

Both the ATC and Rummikub Game Tile have the polished stone background, created with sharpie pens. Rubber stamp is by Cat's Life Press Rubber Stamps. This stamp is intended to be used on the back of an ATC (Artist Trading Card) but I thought it was lovely enough to be the main attraction.

Rainbow Kitty Domino Pendant

Rubber Stamp Image is by PSX

Only half of the stamp image was used on the domino

Bewitching Beauties

3 ATC's with Domino Art

The Polished Stone backgound was done on each domino the ATC backgrounds were created using Versamark ink and Perfect Pearls mica powders. Rubber Stamp images are by:

ATC 1 - Fairy (Ducks in a Row)  Map Background (Hero Arts)

ATC 2 - Mystic (Third Coast Rubber)  Arch Background (Inkadinkado)

ATC 3 - Beauty (Stamp Oasis)  Collage Background (Inkadinkado)

Architectural Choker

Rubber Stamp image by 100 Proof Press

Contest Winner

Visions

9 Panel ATC Collage

All Stamps are by 100 Proof Press

Contest Winner

Background was done on glossy cardstock. Sharpie Pen Polished Stone Technique was used via the CD ink transfer method.  Where you scribble your Sharpie colors onto an old unused CD then use alcohol and felt dauber tool to transfer the ink onto the glossy cardstock that has also been spritzed with 91% rubbing alcohol.  Then I used a combination of Sharpie pens and regular markers to highlight some of the stamped images.

Changeable Corset Keychain Art

Rubber Stamp Images are by Lost Coast Designs

Sharpie Polished Stone Background was done on Laminate tile samples 

from the home improvement store.

Luggage Tag Art

All Stamps are by Blockheads Rubber Stamps

Sharpie Pen Polished Stone Technique was used via the CD ink transfer method.  Where you scribble your Sharpie colors onto an old unused CD then use alcohol and felt dauber tool to transfer the ink onto the glossy cardstock that has also been spritzed with 91% rubbing alcohol.

Grins and Giggles

Evelyn (EKDuncan)

Sharpie Pen Polished Stone Technique - Tutorial

One of my favorite background techniques for domino art is the polished stone effect and for me the easiest way to do this is with Sharpie pens.  Sharpie Pens are alcohol based inks in a pen form.  They are readily available at most office supply stores and mega marts, come in a great range of colors and are fun to work with.

The above stamp image is by Stamp Francisco Rubber Stamps, 

Eau de Toilette 106-1084 from their Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers Line

Supply List for this Project
Domino (or other plastic game tile of choice)
Sharpie Pens (In colors that will blend well together)
91% rubbing alcohol in a small spray bottle (91% works the best for this process)
White Felt pads
Dauber tool or wood block with Velcro on it
Black Staz-On Ink
Rubber Stamp
Black Chisel tip Sharpie Pen
Domino shaped template
Sealer of your choice

Heat Gun (optional)

 

Step 1 – Select the image you want to stamp on your domino or game tile. I do this by creating a template on paper and cutting out the right sized opening.  I use the template to help me find what part of a rubber stamp image I want to use for my project. 

For this project I selected a portion of a perfume label. (The stamp image is by Stamp Francisco Rubber Stamps, Eau de Toilette 106-1084 from their Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers Line)

Step 2 - Start with a solid game tile or domino that has been wiped with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad.  (This gives you a residue free surface to begin your artwork)

Step 3 - Scribble with two or three colorful Sharpie pens on the blank side of the tile ( I find it best to use colors that will blend together well to keep from getting a muddy or brownish finished color when you’re done)

This is one of my favorite color combinations to use.

Step 4 - Spritz some 91% rubbing alcohol onto the tile and lightly daub or swirl the colors with the aid of a white felt pad.  I like to use this wooden tool by Tim Holtz but you can make your own with a wood block and by attaching the stiff side of Velcro to it so the felt has something to stick to.

Remember - The more you daub or mix the less definition there will be between colors.

Play around with coloring options by trying the following till you get a background you like:
•    Continue to spritz the tile with alcohol and daub with the felt pad
•    Instead of spritzing the domino, lightly spritz the felt pad and tap it on the inked tile
•    Apply more sharpie color to the tile and use the alcohol and felt pad to work it in
•    Use the shiny side of an old unusable CD as a palette and scribble sharpie color on it, then spritz your felt pad with alcohol, swirl the pad in the color on the palette and daub it on your game tile
•    Mix and match any of the above procedures
•    If you don’t like your background – spray it with alcohol, wipe it clean and start again.

Step 5 - Let your background dry, it takes about a minute to air dry or you can heat set it with a heat gun. 

Step 6 – Stamp your image using Staz-On ink or another suitable ink for this type of project.  I prefer to leave my rubber stamp face-up on the work surface, ink the stamp and then press my game tile into the stamp. This gives me more control in stamping the correct portion of the image where I want it and it helps me to get a cleaner final image.

Just remember not to wiggle the game tile and to press straight down, 

apply pressure and lift the tile straight back up when you are done.

 

Step 7 - Let the ink dry which will take several minutes by air or you can speed it up with a heat tool

Step  8 - Edge the sides of the game piece with leafing pen or sharpie pen if you want a black or colored edge.  I like the look of black edging and find that a sharpie pen with the chisel tip works great for this.

Step 9 – Seal your work.  My pick is to daub on two light coats of Mod Podge Matte with a cosmetics sponge.  There are all kinds of sealers on the market and it is up to you to use what you like best. Some other options are spray sealers, and liquid lacquers and brush on finishes. 

IMPORTANT – Alcohol ink has to be sealed when you are finished to set it.  For Jewelry - if you do not seal it and any alcohol product come in contact with it the ink will run and your piece and clothing may be damaged!  Even once sealed I suggest you keep alcohol away from your pieces to be on the safe side.  Example: Spray your perfume on you before you put your game tile pendant on for the day.

Step 10 - Attach a bead, tubular finding or glue on bail with E-6000 of industrial jewelry glue to the top of your tile if you want to create a pendant.

The finished pendant using stamp image by Stamp Francisco Rubber Stamps, 

Eau de Toilette 106-1084 from their Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers Line

Grins and Giggles,

 Evelyn (EKDuncan)