It's Not All Black and White

Friday, November 16, 2007

Is More Always More?

Please, satisfy my curiosity. Is more always more? I started this card for the sketch challenge at Splitcoast this week. I think I like the plainer version better though. Although, the one with background papers is growing on me. What do you think?
This stamp is from my recent purchase at Cornish Heritage Farms. It was the first time I ordered from them, and I couldn't be happier. What a variety of stamps! I can't wait to use the rest of them. I even decided to give a Thomas Kinkade stamp a try. I got the guy fly fishing, since i have no masculine stamps. It's actually called "It Doesn't Get Much Better". But this one is from the Asela Hopkins artwork, "West Quoddy (Lighthouse)".

I colored with markers and a watercolor brush, then added a VERY thin layer of star dust stickles to the lighted areas (lighthouse and windows).

What's In It?
Stamps: West Quoddy lighthouse (Cornish Heritage Farms); Thoughtful Phrases (Verve Visual)
Paper: Watercolor, very vanilla, choc chip (Stampin' Up!); Old World mat stack (DCWV)
Ink: onyx black (Versafine); chocolate chip, ruby red, cert celery, so saffron, old olive, going gray, close to cocoa, sahara sand
Accessories: Star dust stickles, paper piercer, watercolor brush

28 comments:

Unknown said...

I think sometimes these days we card artists are moving away from 'pure and simple' and that makes me sad. I am a simple girl myself; I really like crispness of the top one :-)

Keri Lee Sereika said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Alhambra Club said...

I love them both, I think it is what mood you are in at the time.

My Paper World said...

They are both beautiful!

Shannan Teubner said...

These are both gorgeous, I think the top one is more "you"...it's the one I'm drawn to also!

Anonymous said...

They're both wonderful, but I like the first one better because it showcases the main panel so nicely.

Just me said...

I like them both, but I think I like the simple one more. It shows off your coloring more. Beautiful work as always!

Rachel Hope said...

They are both Gorgeous, but the simple one does add a touch of elegance the other does not have

Julee (Vervegirl) said...

Both are beautiful. I personally like the bottom one best. The top one is definitely more elegant, but to me, the image pops a little more in the second one - it's not lost in all that white space.

Anonymous said...

They are both lovely, but I particularly love the top one. I think the image pops!!

Jenny said...

I really like them both. So I asked my husband to give his opinion. He said that he likes the more simple one.

Dawn Easton said...

Both cards are beautiful! Fantastic job colouring those. I like the top one with the clean crisp feeling it gives off! Thanks for sharing your talent!!

Lauren (mytime) said...

Well let me say that I love them both, but like you, LOVE the simpler one-I think its because it helps keep the main image as the focus. Sometimes its the little details and cleanrer lines that MAKE a design. At least for me! LOL!

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

So, so beautiful. They are both gorgeous, but I vote for the card with the dark bg.

Rose Ann said...

I love them both, Bethany...wow!! Gorgeous! If you make me choose....I would choose the top one.

mnhyrkas said...

I prefer the clean lines of the top one. It really lets the beautiful coloring and scene shine through without any distractions. I can just feel the crisp fresh air and smell the sea breeze. Reminds me of my grandparents place. Thanks for the memory :)

Tina said...

Both are gorgeous. Each one has its own charm and I think the image takes center stage with both.

Unknown said...

Like many others, I love them both. Simpler is often better to me. But I do like the depth of the colors in the second one.

Great job on both! :-)

Dina Kowal Creative said...

In the first card, your eye goes right to the sentiment because it breaks the pattern of the piercing, which also draws your eye there (yes, that's a good thing). The second one is great too, but your eye doesn't know where to look first. Nice work on both! Sometimes more is more, sometimes less is more. :)

Dawn Wheeler said...

Stunning card ,great colouring ,Dawnx

Latisha said...

I like the plain one better, but they are both pretty cards.

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

Oh, I love them both equally -- your coloring is just fabulous!!! They are both wonderful cards!!!

Anonymous said...

I think they are both gorgeous, but I really like the first one. With the image being so detailed, I like the plain background...more elegant.

sophia landry said...

This is beautiful, and I agree, definitely love the plainer one best, it stands out beautifully!

Kristine said...

Oh, these are beautiful!! Love the paper piercing and sayings at the bottom. :)

Anonymous said...

Bethany, I love them both! I was initialy drawn to the plainer one as well, but the more I look at he other, the darker background really helps contain the image and emphsize it. . . Who can say? Both are lovely!

Anonymous said...

I do like the more plain version better -- it caught my eye right away. Very classy!

Anonymous said...

Has it really been this long since I was here? You've got so much great stuff to see! I'm not much good with your question, I don't think. The first one has that clean, beachy feel that seems to go well with the image. The second one is warmer and the paper colors you selected are ideal. I think the papers frame and compliment the image very nicely. They're both just lovely!