Tutorial: How to Tackle a Sketch

Hello there. Our lovely Katie Brooks from KB Stamps is back. She was one of our wonderful contributors to our Birthday Bash. Today she is going to show you how to tackle a sketch and I hop it gives those who don't like to play along with sketch challenges a few starting points.

Happy Monday!!!  I am so exciting to be a Guest on the Little Tangles blog I can barely contain my excitement!  Ren-Yi asked me to come and share how I go about tackling a sketch and I thought about it for a long time…exactly 1/2 a second...before I said “heck yes!”  So here I am to do just that with you today.  I sure hope you find it helpful so that Ren-Yi will have me back one day in the future.

First, check out this sketch by Ms. June Houck….fabulous right?!   Yep, I thought so too.  There are lots of ways to tackle a sketch and I will say that I don’t always use the same method.  This was my thought process when I saw the sketch.

Step 1: I size up the sketch and study it a bit.  Does it have a lot of layers?  Specific elements (like those little circles)?  Is there a theme or anything that grabs my attention?  The key thing I want to know when I first look at the sketch is that if there is one element that jumps out at me and says START HERE!

When I looked at this sketch, I first noticed it is pretty fabulously CAS.  The next thing I noticed was the little circles that could be bubbles, enamel dots, sequins….so many things.  Then I noticed the two different patterned elements going down the sides and my first thought- WASHI TAPE!  And we are off and running.  (Other options for this would include DP, stamping your own image, ribbon, etc.)

Step 2:  Next I get out my N&T stamps and check them out. I compare the themes with the various washi tapes I own and make a match. 

In this case, I have two brand new N&T sets that are begging to be inked up, Simple Christmas and Just for You, so I grabbed those.  I have options for washi for either theme but since the holiday season is coming up I decided to lean towards Christmas.

Step 3:  Having decided my theme, I’ve selected my tapes and stamps and now I want to look at my cardstock and choose a base that might accompany this.    

I love to see Kraft on holiday cards, so that’s an easy decision.

Step 4: At this point, most of my elements are chosen.   If I have any hesitation about my sentiment variations or colors, I’ll practice on scrap paper to find the right match before committing to my card stock.  When I have that down I go for it on the actual paper.

I’ve added the sentiment from “our home to yours” in black and decided to use the little evergreen boughs and berries instead of circles.

Step 5:  Add the remaining elements.

All I really have at this point to add is my washi.  BTW- (the beautiful thing about washi is the ability to reposition when you screw up since I do all the time.  Looking at the card I decide it looks a little flat, so I decided to add some twine for a little dimension and round one of the corners, just for fun.

There you have it folks, all done.  What do you think of the final look?

Other ways to tackle a sketch that I sometimes use:

• Start with your image (if using a stamp) and build around it
• Start with the part that poses the biggest challenge for you and once you’ve figured out what you want there, build around it.  
• Pick the patterned paper you like, and build around it.

 

There are probably lots of other ways to tackle sketches as well.  For me, you may be picking up on a theme that I like is to find a starting point and build around it… ;)  There is no wrong way to go about a sketch…and guess what, if you don’t like it, do it over!  I do that plenty. The key is to have fun.

While I am here, I thought I’d show you one other take I had on this sketch.

Thanks for letting me play with you fabulous folks at Little Tangles!  It is always super fun!