Video: Colored Pencils + Kraft = Magic - Hero Arts
Posted by Lydia Fiedler on September 11, 2023

Video: Colored Pencils + Kraft = Magic

Hi friends! Lydia here with a little forest fantasy scene today. I'm definitely at my stampy happiest in the fall - fall imagery - like mushrooms - are absolutely my favorite, and you already know how I feel about squirrels! So I was thrilled to see the September collection with all its woodsy goodness. When I saw the Hello Fungi set I shrieked a little, because mushrooms are one of the most fun botanicals to color with colored pencils.

I started by stamping the fox from Fall Fox in Unicorn ink on a piece of kraft cardstock and then masking his front half. I love clear stamps for masking, because it lets you be so precise in your placement, so I was able to position the Hello Fungi image just right - so the fox was looking up at the large mushroom and the little leaf is seen behind him. Stamping in Unicorn rather than black or Contour ink gives you a little glow at the edge of the images, like you can see here in this closeup.

I start with a layer of white pencil before I add color as you will see in the video. Then I build up color with very light pressure until I get the opacity I like. This technique works for any brand of colored pencils you might have.

The white pencil makes the images seem luminous even on dark cardstock.

Here's the video of the process, which you can watch below or HERE on YouTube . I've sped it up - in real life it took a little less than an hour to complete. I love the process of coloring - it brings me peace.


I hope you've enjoyed this little woodland scene! Thanks for stopping by.

Click on products to shop:
SB380 Hello Fungi Bundle (D) | Hero Arts
CM727 Hello Fungi | Hero Arts
CM723 Fall Fox | Hero Arts
AF249 Unicorn Pigment Ink | Hero Arts

3 comments

wow that is an amazing card. thanks for the coloring tutorial! had no idea you laid white down first.

kel b.,

Had seen a sneak peek of the finished product on Lydia’s blog, but loved watching how she achieved it. Thanks for the great ideas for using the white pencil on Kraft paper and also creating that no line look with the Unicorn ink! I love how you used the multiple colors for the fox, it really makes such a difference over using using only one or two. This kit has my heart because I adore mushrooms, and they way you colored those is amazing as well. Well done Lydia and well done Hero Arts!

Maureen Hayes,

Simply stunning!!

Linda Crowley,

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.


  • Interactive Scrapbook Layout Using the Turn the Page Collection by Esther Glas, SCSP-037, SCSE-054, SCSE-039, SCSR-016, E3D-186, STP-279, SDS-232, S2-473, S7-298, S7-295

    E3D-186

    Interactive Scrapbook Layout Using the Turn the Page Collection by Esther Glas

    Hello, crafty friend! I’m Adrienne Boese, better known online as Alice Scraps Wonderland. I love a good interactive scrapbook page! It can be something as simple as a pocket or something more intricate like a waterfall mechanism or flips. Today, we are going to focus on one of those simple techniques - a pocket!  It’s the perfect technique to dip your toes into the interactive...

  • August 2026 Clear Stamp + Die of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Trick or Snark

    Spellbinders Blog

    August 2026 Clear Stamp + Die of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Trick or Snark

    Our August 2026 Clear Stamp & Die of the Month preview & tutorials are here! Join the Clear Stamp & Die of the Month Club and receive an expertly designed clear stamp and coordinating die set each month, complete with inspiration. Plus, members get store savings, extra deals, gifts, and more. This stamp set features made-in-the-USA stamps from high-quality photopolymer for clear, crisp impressions. Our stamps...

  • August 2026 Stencil of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Peek-a-Boo

    Spellbinders Blog

    August 2026 Stencil of the Month Preview & Tutorials – Peek-a-Boo

    Our August 2026 Stencil of the Month Club preview & tutorials are here! Here’s a look at the design for this month – Holiday Harmony: Please note, new Subscription Sign-Up Window will now open on the 6th of each month and close on the 27th (once existing club members subscriptions have been processed.) If there is additional inventory remaining, then they will be made available for...