The Daily Marker

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Day 11. You are going to love this giveaway!

Hello Friends!!! Thanks to you all for taking a guess … with my teaser. If you missed it click here.  I have had such fun reading all of your wishes and comments. Made my day! Don’t get me wrong I always love reading your comments!

*Some of you asked about some states that are on my list. Check out that list here. Later this week I will have FLORIDA sign up and I am super excited to return to My Favorite Things! LOVE the MFT family!

Giveaway at the bottom of my post.

New stamps from Honey Bee are in da house and I loved combining two of the new sets “Mae the Mouse” and “Piece of Cake.” Right now Piece of Cake is sold out and I think that Mae the Mouse is headed in that direction too.

So how about a few tips?! I love it when I am on one of my Road Trips and I get to demonstrate the blending solution and rag tip. I like to combine, grey, brown and E50. Using the blending solution with a rag the different colors add more interest to the image plus lots of texture. A bit to much texture but, that softens later.

To add more shading on the mouse I added the colors in the photo in small amounts with a very SHARP pencil. If you want success with your pencils SHARPEN IT OFTEN. Putting down a layer of color with markers first can save yourself a lot of time when using pencils!

*please note I do NOT use anything to like gamsol to blend the colors. NEVER! I like the texture of the paper  to show instead of  a blended look. Please give it a try and see what you think! Be sure to keep that tip sharp!

This photo pretty much sums it up.

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE SIX STAMPS SETS to giveaway (three of each stamp). That means you have six chances to win one of the stamp sets plus a goodie bag. Thanks to Honey Bee stamps for the giveaway!!

To qualify promise me that you will sharpen your pencils ahahha. In the comment area you can just say “Sharp pencils” and at the end of the challenge I will announce the six winners.

That’s it for today and I hope it’s a good start to the week. A big thanks to Honey Bee stamps and to YOU for your visit today. Hugs, Kathy

P.S.  There are 3 ways to share what you are coloring. If you want to join a community of coloring enthusiasts I recommend  FaceBook or Instagram. Be sure to tag me and use the hashtag #thedailymarker30day. Kids & young adults use #thedailymarker30daykids.

The 3rd way is to link up to my blog to share your coloring click here to link up.

P.S.S. If you have any questions about the coloring challenge you can refer to this post . If you want to get my posts in your mailbox you can sign up here or subscribe to my videos here.


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Comments

  3. Theresa Petermann says

    love technique posts where I can learn and try something new to me. sharp pencils. thanks as always for sharing.

  5. Rosali B. says

    Wow, your coloring blows my mind again!! The mouse is so super adorable!

    Combining Copics and colored pencils is my favorite coloring method … But I have to admit I am still a little hesitant with keeping my pencils sharp all the time. I will do better, I promise! 😉

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Thank you, Rosali! I am glad you like this coloring method too; it saves time and I really like the look. Keep your pencils sharp, friend 🙂

  9. Sue Baker says

    Kathy- would love to attend an event with you! Any plans for something local in Maryland or Virginia?
    Sharp pencils!!

  10. tonilea says

    Sharp pencils! Just want to add that I usually stop coloring too soon. Your example shows me how much better I could do if I were to add more depth. Thanks!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Yes, I like Tim Holtz’s advice, when you think you are done, keep going. Thank you, Tonilea!

  17. Tracy Lustick says

    “SHARP PENCILS “ are the way to successful prettiness ! Thank you Kathy & Honey Bee stamps !

  21. Laura Casselman says

    I love the texture in the rag technique. Mae Mouse is darling! Sharpening my pencils tonight!

  25. cyndi morris says

    I recently invested in a set of colored pencils and I’m having so much fun with them. I’ve learned that one of the secrets to success is SHARP PENCILS! So now I’ve bought a pencil sharpener and I promise to use it.

  28. Kerry says

    Sharp pencils ALWAYS! I learned to put marker down before colored pencil in an art class 25 years ago (oops- ageing myself!) LOVE that tip! I love your texture tip with the rag and Coptic marker solutions… I don’t use comic, but I’m going to figure out a way to try this! Thank you!

  29. Joyce Casaldi says

    Sharpen Pencils

    Lol. How could you not sharpen them! Super cute little mouse! Thanks for another coloring challenge!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      He is such a cute mouse, isn’t he, Joyce? I am happy that you are enjoying the coloring challenge 🙂

  34. Bobbie Lathrop says

    Sharp Pencils for sure, OMG this mouse is so stinkin cute. I just love all the detail and colors. Your the best Kathy

  36. Bunny Dobbie says

    Oh yes! Sharp pencils for certain! Pointy is not enough! Unless I’m just laying in a colour to blend with more colours. But for the details and finishing work, I’m all about that sharpener! I mix Copics with my Polychomos. Love how the undercolouring of the marker gives me a solid background. Thank you for introducing us to such a great hobby Kathy!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      It is my pleasure, Bunny! I am so happy that through blogging I can “meet” so many kindred spirits 🙂

  42. Beth Ross says

    Hi Kathy!

    It took a while for me to get over worrying about the “waste” of sharpening so often, but when I look at some of my older pieces I can actually see how sharpened points would have made a big difference. So now my pencil sharpener is always next to my left hand.

    I think many of us have the same thoughts, especially when the colored pencils are the high-end quality and, thus, expensive. I am training myself to consider the point first and the pigment second. However, I still find myself, occasionally, in a battle to NOT think about how much of the pigment I could get out of a pencil. It’s a whole new way of thinking for me. I’m not there yet, but I’m getting closer.

    After all, that’s the point, right?! lol

  45. Nicki Wong says

    Kathy, I love your little mouse and the coloring…adorable! I like sharp pencils also but I haven’t found a great sharpener. What do you recommend?

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Thank you, Nicki! I haven’t found any one I recommend, except an electric one can be faster and usually more helpful at times.

  47. Tara Salladay says

    Sharp pencils!!! But only because I don’t use them enough! lol Thanks for this amazing giveaway!

  49. Judie Attard says

    Sharp Pencils!! I love your colouring! I promised myself already this year that I will colour more using pencils as opposed to watercolours. I am really tempted to invest in some polychromos, but I need to prove to myself that I really need them first :p haha

  50. Marcia says

    Sharp pencils, use a clipboard for better posture and less strain, don’t be afraid of dark colors especially in the nooks and crannies. . . .that’s what I’ve learned from YOU!!

  54. Jean Chaney says

    Sharp pencils always! Kathy, mailed you a card months ago, but it was returned for bad address 🙁 Tried to tell you on Instagram, but Instagram must not be your friend!

  55. Joann Markham says

    Love the three examples !!! I get nervous to have sharp pencils, as I break them, but will do again!! Thanks for the challenge!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Thank you so much, Joann! Practice a light touch…that has taken me a lot of practice too 🙂

  56. creatingincolors says

    I promise to keep my pencils sharp! (and I love my Luminance pencils so they get TLC) I love your creative use of those stamp sets, and your coloring is beyond words.

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      I am happy you like how I combined the stamp sets, Sharon! Thank you for taking time to leave a sweet comment 🙂

  66. Liz says

    Funny you mention sharpening pencils – I JUST sharpened mine yesterday!
    Thanks for showing the comparison between markers only, pencils only & a combination of the two; you can really see the difference between them.

  76. Monica Linerode says

    Sharpen pencils. Btw I don’t see the difference between odorless mineral oil and Copic Colorless BLENDER SOLUTION (has 77% alcohol and is flammable, use with adequate ventilation, etc.), just saying.

  78. Sandy K. says

    Sharp Pencils! Wow, Kathy, as always, your colouring makes me happy. I adore the mouse/cupcake and love the technique used to create his fur. I have never used a rag so certainly want to learn more about that. My early learning was using Copics with Prisma Colored Pencils blending with gamsol so I am eagerly looking forward to learning about using blending solution instead. Twelve days and counting until first class. Yeah!

  79. D.Ann C says

    Sharp pencils!! Lookin’ sharp! I hesitate to use the rag method even though I love it. I’ve had it turn out great a couple of times, but also had it fail and not sure why. I guess I just need to do it more until I figure it out. lol! Thanks again for all your tips, eye candy, giveaways and encouragement!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      It is my pleasure, DAnn! Thank you for being a loyal follower. It means the world to me 🙂

  80. Sharron Gregory says

    Sharp pencil!! I am already a fanatic about this so this is an easy promise! Absolutely love your creative card. I would never have thought of using the mouse this way. Thanks for sharing this wonderful technique!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      You brightened my day, Sharron! Thank you for la lovely comment. It means so much to me 🙂

  81. Angie says

    Sharp Pencils!!! I need to do that more often!!! Your Mouse is OH so beautiful! What a gorgeous image and it’s really cool to see how it looks after the different coloring stages! Thanks so much for offering a giveaway!

  82. Julie Booker says

    When I first coloured with pencils I didn’t use sharp pencils but after watching your videos and reading your blog posts I tried it and it makes such a difference! I even bought a special sharpener that will only sharpen the tip of the pencil. Such a small thing can make a big difference.

  83. Stef Perry says

    You’d be proud of me Kathy, I bought a new electric sharpener for my colored pencils, so I can keep them nice and sharp! I love your photo showing the depth of color difference by adding colored pencil to Mae in her cute cupcake holder! Thanks for the inspiration!

  86. Betty says

    Sharp pencils – any dull pencil make me crazy – my friends even make sure there is a sharp pencil for me to keep score with when playing cards – that’s pretty bad!!

  91. Mirella Rogan says

    Sharp pencils! That is indeed part of the secret! The other one is talent 😉 and a lot of practice! I totally love Mae the mouse, so here’s to hoping – crossing fingers and toes!

  103. Jessica Williams says

    That mouse is SO cute! I’ve just started using Copic markers, so I haven’t yet ventured into colored pencils. When I do, I promise to use SHARP PENCILS! Thank you for the tip.

  105. Stacey Kowbel says

    Sharp pencils! Such fabulous colouring and great colour choices. That mouse is so adorable!

  113. Roberta S. says

    Sharp pencils
    I do use Sharp pencils. I would love for them to have a sharper point. Just not getting that with the sharpener that was recommeneded to me.

  115. Heather Innusa says

    I always LOVE how you accent your coloring with SHARP PENCILS!!! It adds such detail. I really need to give this a try!

  118. Robin Blaylock says

    I love how you took stamps from 2 separate sets and combined them to make 1 unique image. The coloring is amazing, love it. Thanks for sharing.

  122. Wendy Potter says

    SHARPEN PENCILS brilliant work Kathy on getting these colouring challenges going this is my 2nd one & enjoying it so much it actually makes me sit down & relax before going to bed.❤

  124. Andrea Hastilow says

    Sharp pencils hehehe ! Does this mean my guess of UK was well out then hehe ? I could have put my street in UK but thought that was really dreaming ! Great that you’re going to see the MFT crew. As if any of your followers doesn’t sharpen there pencils are all the times you tell us to. Enjoyed today’s post. Thank you.

  127. Fikreta says

    love that cute mouse and your colouring is amazing!
    yes I will sharp pencils 😀
    I have electric sharpener beacause its hard for me to shrap with regular one.

  133. Brenda Simpson says

    Sharp pencils! Thanks for sharing the secret! I’m off to give that a try now! You are so inspirational!

  145. Jan Castle says

    Sharp Pencils!!! Definitely….it really does make a BIG difference! Your little mouse and cupcake are adorable!!!! TFS
    Paper Hugs,

  150. Jeanne says

    Sharp pencils are great, but I’ve tried several types of sharpeners and they all fail in some respect! Recommendations????

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      I think they can each be temperamental, Jeanne! Some just need a light touch, some a little more force. I hope you find one that works well for you 🙂

  160. Cindy Wilson says

    Sharp Pencils. May have to purchase that Mouse as when I was a quiet little thing my nickname was Tishy Mouse. Think it might have changed to Mighty Mouse lately.

  164. Sheri Kempke says

    I promise, I’ll use only SHARP PENCILS to color! Love this lovely coloring and great tips Kathy!

  167. Kris says

    I have been so tempted to buy this mouse. I have had such a terrible day too. Having a cute stamp to color would make me forget about my worries. I try my hardest in school while raising my daughter and working. My grades are good and I still was not accepted into a Dental Hygiene Program.

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Awww sorry it was one of those days. I admire what you are doing and I hope the silver lining in that cloud shows soon (not getting into DHS). Big hugs!

  172. Tracy Hawkins says

    Always straight to the point Kathy! Sharp pencils lol Love this image and your amazing colouring. Thanks for the inspiration xx

  175. Woendi Levitt says

    Sharp Pencils. TY for the 3 stage photos. Really shows the difference when they are side by side.

  176. Deb Schell says

    Sharp pencils! I’m new to colored pencils and learning (the hard way) that sharp pencils make a huge difference.

  180. Melissa Minelli says

    Sharp Pencils! Your coloring is awe inspiring. One day I’d love to color as well as you (practice, practice, practice!).

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      Lindsey, practice a VERY light touch. The waxy sheen is called “waxing off” and comes from pressing too hard. It has taken me a very long time to lighten my touch 🙂

  183. Janice Torres says

    So funny, cuz I literally just resharpened all my colored pencils so that I could use them this week, sooooo….

    Sharp pencils!

  193. Shona Chambers says

    Thanks so much for the pencil tip, I hardly EVER sharpen my pencils, so will keep the sharpener close handy from now on!! Sharp Pencils!!

  202. Dolly (scrapthat) says

    SO cute! Mae the Mouse and Piece of Cake are two of my top of the wish list sets right now!
    Oh and by the way…I promise to always have SHARP PENCILS Kathy!
    ;’)

  204. Annette says

    I always remember your tip about keeping your pencils sharp. You gave us that tidbit at Gina’s shop for the Coloring Road Trip. It really does make a difference!!

  205. Sandy says

    I have several sharpeners, and my favorite is a bullet-shaped , brass Alvin 9866. Always keeps sharp pencils!

  206. Gail Plaskiewicz says

    You can’t color with dull pencils so mine are always sharp. Sharp pencils make better coloring. Thanks for giving us the chance to win something.
    I love your mouse! It is so cute & would be great for a birthday card! I would love that stamp! Your coloring is impeccable as always!
    I am now able to post! Yeah! I am going to post some things tonight. I am coloring with my super SHARP PENCILS!

  209. Joyce Boylan says

    Cute images! I love a sharp point but have to admit I don’t sharpen them because it seems like I’m wearing them down (and will have to buy more!) But I promise to consistently sharpen them (deep down, I really do want to buy a newer set ).

  212. Margery C says

    Fabulous coloring examples. You are fabulous and I love seeing everything you color.
    Sharp pencils.

  218. Katie W says

    I like sharp pencils and I cannot lie
    I prefer using gamsol but then I go over it to add in sharper details- with a sharp pencil of course.

  219. SusanME says

    I agree! Sharp pencils are a must! I even bought the huge, honkin’ pencil sharpener that Sandy Allnock recommends – it’s wonderful. I appreciate the side by side pictures of your process of adding shading with pencils here – incredible what that shows us. Thank you!

  220. Lucia Cao says

    Sharp pencils!!! i love my polychromos and honestly at first i didnt sharpen my pencils when coloring until they were blunt but i found the fibercastel shapener is the best i cant color without it now. I sharpens the tip without wasting much of the pencils. Hehehe now thinking about it I was a little frugal when it comes to wasting pencils!

  228. Marlena M says

    I will try to remember sharp pencils!! 😉 I am so impressed with your combo of stamps~what a brilliant way to showcase that delightful mouse Kathy! The texture is perfection~

  231. Henriëtte says

    Gorgeous card and I love the texture you always make with a rag.
    And yes, I also love sharp pencils, it’s the best way to colour!
    Thank you for your lovely card and tips. See you tomorrow.

  234. Linda BL says

    Sharp pencils! I have always been a fanatic about sharp pencils and finally started using a mechanical pencil. I have Prismacolor pencils which I seem to sharpen all the time. I recently uncovered a set of 24 professional Prang colored pencils with a 6 mm lead. My husband got them for me years ago and I forgot about them. They are amazing pencils!

  236. Arlene Plastine says

    Sharp Pencils! I love your adorable card Kathy. Your ingenious use of 2 different stamp sets is a thumbs up in my book

  238. Mary Holshouser says

    Sharp pencils!
    Doing more coloring with pencils – finally
    seem to be getting the hang of it.
    thanks for the month of ideas.
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

  239. Sharon says

    Sharpen pencils. I just received my Luminance 20 pencils set days before the challenge started. I have been using colored pencils for the challenge so far and will defiantly give your tip of using them over markers a try. Thanks !

  249. Julie L says

    Sharp pencils. I’ve bought cheap, fancy, imported, and plain sharpeners over the years, and my very favorite, that gives me the best points without wasting pigment, is a $2 metal sharpener with one opening from the drafting supply store in town.
    Love the mouse and cupcake.

  256. _chevron2 says

    SHARP PENCILS! It does make a difference:) Thanks so much for doing the coloring challenge; I haven’t been able to participate every day, but love it nevertheless!!

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      I am happy to hear that you are able to participate when you can, Chevron! Thank you 🙂

  257. Robin Ridpath says

    Sharp pencils!
    Cute mouse!
    I still have my piece of ‘magic rag’ from last year’s Road Trip 🙂

  258. Teresa Doyle says

    I have to admit, that is the cutest mouse I have ever seen! Kathy did I understand you to say you used Copic Blending solution on this vs. Gamsol? I would absolutely SHARPEN PENCILS if only I had some. LOL ( I am still using my kids Prismacolors from Elementary school.)

  263. Monica W says

    Sharp pencils! Got it that moise is so adorable! Love your coloring. I’m always afraid to leave unblended …must give it a try sometime

  265. Kristina CraftyPaws says

    Sharp pencils! Just added cream and white highlights to Copic colored balloons with sharp colored pencils! Yay!

  269. Heather Mills says

    Sharp pencils are definitely the best! Super cute mouse and fabulous giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win!

  272. Paulette Still says

    Hi Kathy!! I love these tips and this adorable mouse. And have been using pencils with my Copic coloring and I like it. Didn’t really think I would, but I do! LOL. I have ONEprisma pencil, rest are Crayola, now I’m going to have to invest in some good colored pencils. HaHa! I want to sharpen my pencils, but they don’t cooperate with the pencil sharpener. I may have to invest in a good one. Thanks!! Xo

    • Kathy Racoosin says

      You are so very kind, Paulette! I have found that in most cases, it is best to invest in good tools to get the results you are looking for. So often it can be cost prohibitive, but I find ways to get more out of less 🙂

  273. Jennifer Petersen says

    Sharp pencils! I have been loving these tips about sharp pencils and the details you can add. I was coloring with my son this week he did the base and I tried out your tip of sharp pencils and added detail. It was so fun! Thank you for sharing your tips and wonderful ideas.

  274. Danielle Vincent says

    Because of your posts and this challenge I’ve been learning about layering colored pencils over copic. I’m loving how it looks and adds such depth. Sharp pencils are definitely a must for the nooks and small details! Thanks so much Kathy!
    Sharp pencils!

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