Saturday Special January 17, 2009: Layering
CT Member Kim here with the new Saturday Special Challenge!
I start with a template or my blank page and usually set up my main picture or area of focus first. That way I know what I need to layer around.
I do my background papers. Don’t hesitate to layer several pieces of paper, resize them, and rotate them. If you are uncomfortable with layering papers, practicing with templates is very helpful. Templates can really help you think outside the box in paper arrangements. Another way to add lots of depth and pattern to your layout is to choose a solid back ground paper and then cut other patterned and colored papers in strips, circles, or squares and layer them under your main focus.
Then I go through the kit I am using and just start opening all of the elements that I like and start adding them on the page. Don’t worry about finding the perfect spot right away. I do this process several times, moving things around, resizing items and rotating items such as flowers so they are not always facing the same direction. If there are not that many items in a kit, you can always use them several times, resize them, or even recolor them.
Don’t be afraid to tuck elements under frames, other elements or stacked papers. The whole element does not need to show on the layout, portions of elements peeking out add more interest.
Just keep layering with all those cute flowers, stars, buttons, add fasteners, strings, ribbons, tags, alphas, etc. Pile them on, don’t be shy!
What I think is the single most important thing for carrying off a layered Layout is the shadowing. If you do not use good shadowing with various depths, then your layout will be flat and uninteresting. I used a wider, deeper shadow for flowers and elements that are floating on top, medium size for ones under that and a close shadow for items really close to the papers. I made them into styles in photoshop so it is easy access to add a shadow to each layer. Proper shadowing is truly what makes your Layout pop.
Denise (neeceebee) has a great tutorial for shadowing from the Saturday Special November 22, 2008 on the blog. You can find it HERE:
Erica Zane’s Woodland Fantasy and Sya’s Blueprints Dynamic Duo Set 3.
Tags: layering, photoshop tutorial, Tutorials
January 18th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Have you ever recommended Heritage Makers to your readers for digital scrapbooking? It is an AMAZING and creative system. I warn you though….it’s addicting!