Stamps, paper, black ink and markers … all basic supplies in my craft room and the only things I’d ever need! (Or so I thought!)
As a color artist, I was used to stamping an image in black ink and coloring it up with my Copic® markers. Lately though, I have stepped outside my comfort zone and started using colored inks instead of basic black for stamping images.
I’ve always recommended Tsukineko Memento ink for working with Copics, so when Tsukineko announced that 12 new colors had been added to their Memento color line, I knew I was missing out by using only the Tuxedo Black.
When stamping with black ink, the image has a very crisp outline, it’s fairly easy to color, and the edges are well defined.
The effects you can get with colored ink outlines are much softer (depending on the ink color) and can look almost like watercolor. It can be a bit more difficult to color though, depending on the shade of the ink and the colors used to color the image.
Here I’ve stamped my “Monstrosity” image with three of my favorite colors.
Nautical Blue (NEW)
Bamboo Leaves
Peanut Brittle (NEW)
And then I’ve colored them in with Copic markers.
Nautical Blue
Bamboo Leaves
Peanut Brittle
You can see that the Nautical Blue ink is quite dark and gives me results more typical of my standard black ink, while the Peanut Brittle ink is much lighter and really gives soft definition to the outlines of the image.
I just love the different looks I can create with all of the various ink colors in the Memento line … and I’m on my way to collecting them ALL! (And I love that I can stamp my sentiments to coordinate with my projects too—added bonus!!!)
Next time you want a bit of a challenge or want to get out of a rut, grab one of the 36 colors from the Memento dye ink line at Tsukineko and get stampy!
Enjoy a Colorful Day!
Supplies used: X-Press It Blending Card, Copic® markers (BG0000/BG01/B24/G40/G82/G46/R21/R24/R29/YR20/Y38/YR68/YR09) and Black .3 Multiliner from Imagination International Inc.; Arctic, Vibrant Blue, Pear Crush, Guacamole, Tangerine Blast and Bumble Bee cardstock from Bazzill Basics; Nautical Blue, Bamboo Leaves and Peanut Brittle Memento ink pads from Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko; Monstrosity stamp from Whipper Snapper Designs; Big Greetings stamp set from My Favorite Things; Standard Circles die templates from Spellbinders™ Paper Arts.
Great post, Colleen! Your little monsters are colored so beautifully.
For a beginer, can you suggest about 5 or 6 colors of memento ink to start the collection? I have only the Tuxedo black. Thanks
Hi Janet, excellent question. Of course, there’s no easy answer… it really depends on how you want to use the inks. If you want to try stamping images for coloring, I would suggest getting one of each of the basics…
My picks would be..
Blue – Nautical Blue
Green – Pistachio
Red – Rhubarb Stalk
Dark Brown – Espresso Truffle
Light Brown/Tan – Toffee Crunch
Gray – London Fog
This would give you a good range of light and dark colors and you could build from there. Keep in mind though, these are my favorites and others would probably have different favorites
Hope that helps!
Awesome, colleen1 I especially love to use a darker shade of what I’ll be coloring with the outline when I’m stamping flowers.
What a great post…thanks! I love your little monster and wow on your fabulous coloring!
What a great post, Colleen! I never really gave it much thought to stamp an image I plan to color in anything other than black or brown. Your images really highlight all the different looks you can achieve using different colored inks. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you for this great article. I use memento black in nearly everything I do..I will look for some of the colors now. That blue monster knocked me out!
What a great post! I’m always one to grab the black also, but now I can see the possibilities. Thanks!
Well, once again you have gone over the edge! So delightful! Keep learning new things all of the time from you. Will you be hitting the West Coast any time soon. Hugs and GREAT work once again.
Super post, Colleen! Those little monsters are adorable in each color, and I, too, love that the sentiment can be stamped to match. I have 5 colors of the Memento pads, and would love to have more, but the cost always stops me. How do you feel about the Memento Dewdrops? Thanks for sharing
Patti J. – The Dewdrops are a wonderful (and economical) way to grow your color palette. Same great inks and same consistent colors – just a smaller package.
Thanks Colleen!
Awesome post! Your colorful little monsters are super cute!
Your monsters are so cute and I love the variety of colours you have coloured them in. I like using different colours for stamping as well. It can soften or create such a different look to an image. And the little dew drops are a great way to try out colours and see if you really like it. They last a long time and the shape makes it so easy to get in around corners if you want to use more than one colour on a stamp.
Thanks for sharing you cute monsters!
Love these! I like using Memento Pear Tart for lighter images too, or stamping off once before I stamp my image to color using black or brown. Coloring in the eyes with a fine black or brown pen will really make your images pop when you use a lighter outline. Hugs!!
these are so great, I must get more Memento colors!