Sparkly Christmas Bell Card with Alcohol Marker Shading

A project from our live show MY PODCAST - Catch my latest updates broadcast 18th November 2024 · 11/18/2024 · watch it from 8:00

A festive Christmas card featuring beautifully shaded bells with gold shimmer accents and coloured leaves. The card uses alcohol markers to create realistic shading and dimension, finished with a white gel pen highlight for extra sparkle.

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Stamp the bells image onto white card in black ink. ▶ watch 9:30
2. Select three shades of yellow alcohol marker: light, medium, and dark. ▶ watch 12:45
3. Colour the first bell entirely with the lightest yellow shade. ▶ watch 17:00
4. Apply the medium yellow to approximately three-quarters of the bell, leaving one side light to show where light is coming from. ▶ watch 19:30
5. Blend the medium and light colours together using circular motions with the light marker to soften the transition. ▶ watch 21:00
6. Apply the darkest yellow to the remaining area and blend with the medium shade. ▶ watch 22:15
7. Repeat the three-shade technique on the second bell, keeping the light source consistent from the same direction. ▶ watch 24:45
8. Select three shades of green and colour the leaves using the same light-source principle, starting with light green all over. ▶ watch 27:15
9. Colour a small red berry with light red, then add dark red shading and blend. ▶ watch 34:30
10. Add white gel pen highlights to the berries and light areas to enhance dimension. ▶ watch 36:30
11. Paint a thin layer of gold shimmer paint along one side of each bell where the light catches. ▶ watch 43:45
12. Drag a wet brush across the gold to blend it smoothly over the coloured bell. ▶ watch 44:45
13. Cut out the coloured bells and leaves, then mount onto card using 3D foam pads or tape. ▶ watch 46:00

Tips from the show

• Always place paper underneath your work when using alcohol markers so the ink is absorbed and doesn't puddle on a glass mat.
• Keep your light source consistent from the same direction across all elements of your image.
• Use just three colours—light, medium, and dark—to keep shading simple and avoid overwhelming yourself.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly