One Image - Two Ways

The challenge for Inkspirational was "She Art or Image of a Woman".  I played around with two designs using the same stamp set from Unity.  I colored the first card using watercolor paper and my Gansai Tambi watercolors.  

I'm still quite new to this technique, and my biggest difficulty is in the background and getting it to be smooth, and not so splotchy.  This one was particularly tough because my subject was hunting fireflies in the night, so a darker background was required. 

For my second shot, I went with some markers that I had in my stash from Close To My Heart.  I think they've since been discontinued and replaced with newer ones.  But I need to use what's in my stash - if I empty the ink in the markers, I gain about 32 square inches of space!

Same difficulty with this one . . . that darn background.  I think if I were to try this card again, I would go go the trouble of masking my image and sponging a background instead of using markers.  I do love this image from Phyllis Harris!  She's such a fun artist.  

Note to self . . . practice backgrounds!  Research!

Hope you find some time to create. 

Supplies Used - Card 1

Cardstock:  Neenah Desert Storm and Bee Watercolor

Pattern Paper:  The Paper Studio

Stamps:  Miracle of Light and Dark from Unity

Dies:  Fiskars Circle Die

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger Black Embossing Powder, Gansai Tambi Watercolors

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

Supplies Used - Card 2

Cardstock:  Neenah Desert Storm

Stamps:  Miracle of Light and Dark from Unity

Ink:  My Favorite Things and Close To My Heart Alcohol Markers

Other:  Wink of Stella and Twine from The Twinery