Do you struggle with masculine card designs? I have an easy FUN technique to share with you and 4 different examples to inspire!
Today is all about ‘blocking’… colour blocking that is! Never tried this technique? It’s a great way to make masculine card designs, which was also my focus today. Join me at my Live video HERE for lots of Tips and Tricks to Colour Block and make Cards4Men (Scroll down to see the finished cards).
#COLOURBLOCKEDCARDS
I hear it time and again, making masculine cards can be a struggle, but, it doesn’t have to be. Colour blocking is a fantastic place to start and today I explain the process and show you how to use bold and contrasting colours to create visually striking designs.
Don’t have to confidence to coordinate your own colour combinations? Then I would suggest, using a tool such as a ‘Colour Wheel‘, and there are free versions available on the internet. This tool can help you create beautiful colour combinations and this all happens with the simple spin of the wheel. Most tools will also have instructions and handy hints written on them, so it’s worth taking a couple of minutes to explore these.
What is Colour Blocking?
Colour Blocking is exactly what it sounds like. It involves mixing solid colours to create a striking statement, using 2 or more colours in a bold or contrasting design or pattern. From there, you can go wherever you like, the possibilities are endless. Today I chose to focus on using coloured cardstock to create the colour blocks, but blended or painted panels could also be used, or even design paper.
PRO TIP: This is a fanatastic technique to use up those cardstock scraps!
#COLOURSCHEMES
I made 3 colour blocked panels in the Live, but wanted to add an extra BONUS idea for you, scroll down to see it!
Scheme #1 – Split Complimentary
Complimentary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel and have the Wow factor with a bold contrast. To stretch it a little further and add an extra colour, I decided to create a card using the Split Complimentary scheme. It sounds complicated but it’s not. It simply means using any colour with the two colours on each side of it’s compliment. The triangles and arrows on the Colour Wheel can also guide you.
BEWARE: When mixing paints, it is the complimentary colours do not play nice together, typically they create ‘mud’ (brown).
Typically I like to keep colour blocked designs clean and simple, which is also one of my go-to techniques when I am making masculine cards.
BONUS IDEA: The ‘eclipse’ technique or hidden sentiment is a fun way to create a masculine card design. If you don’t have a word die that will work, you could always create your own sentiment with alphabet dies.
Scheme #2 – Analogous
This is one of my all-time favourite ways to combine colours. It simply means using colours that are adjacent to each other on the Colour Wheel, using at least 2 but no more than 5 consecutive colours on the wheel.
An easy way to take a clean and simple design to the next level is to add some texture. And a quick option is to use a 3D embossing folder, and I think these waves were perfect for my little shark.
Other ways to add texture would be to use a cover die or a stencil, if you use these with a silicon (or tan) mat they will leave an impression on the cardstock.
Scheme #3 – My Own
After years of using the colour wheel, I find that I don’t refer to it as often as I used to. I love to grab out some of my favourite colours and shuffle them around until I find a colour combo that just makes my heart happy. I know this is not particularly technical, but we crafters know what we like… but, we also know when it just ‘doesn’t look right’.
I had a suggestion in the Live chat to create a shaker card, so I had to go with that. And even though this is a masculine design, I don’t see anything wrong with adding a little ‘black’ glitter, would you agree?
BONUS! Scheme #4 – Monochromatic
Yes, while I had the cardstock out I thought I may as well throw together a monochromatic background to show you an example. To create a monochromatic or tonal colour blocked design simply use any tint, tone, or shade of just one colour.
I could have kept the entire design monochromatic but decided to ‘compliment’ it instead by using the Complimentary colour stamped on the fish.
All together now…
Let me know in the comments below if you are going to challenge yourself to create a colour blocked masculine card! I am truly glad that you shared your time with me today, sending crafty hugs your way!
I use affiliate links which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you).
I truly appreciate your support of my card adventures!
Other Supplies:
Ellen Hutson – Essential Circles | Hey You | Landscapes | Party Time & Dies
Waffle Flower Crafts – Tiger & Lily | Big Bear and Bird
Uniquely Creative – Good Onya!
Copics – C1 | R14
Embellishments – Prima Glass Glitter – Pitch Black
Cardstock – Black Glitter Concord & 9th – Parsley | Aqua Sky | Parsley | Stardust | Peacock Altenew – Lagoon | Apple
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |
 Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS | AUZ |
 Concord & 9th – Cardstock SSS | AUZ |
 Foam Sheets AMZ | SSS |
 Color Wheel AMZ | SSS |
 Ribbon Waves 3D ALT |
 A2 Layers Die SSS | AUZ |
 Bold Numerals Die ALT | SSS |
 Rainforest Leaves ALT | SSS |
 Goldfish Pond ALT |
 Goldfish Pond Die ALT |
 Tuxedo Black SSS | AUZ |
 Nocturne SSS | AUZ |
 Versamark Ink SSS | AUZ |
 Stardust SSS |
 Copic Markers SSS |
 Dew Drops SSS |
 WOW Heat Tool AMZ | SSS | AUZ |
 Opaque Bright White SSS | AUZ |
 Powder Tool SSS | AUZ |
 Tweezers ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Scissors SSS | AUZ |
 Bone Folder Altenew ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Score Board ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Sticky Grid Mat ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Mini MISTI SSS | AUZ |
 Magnets OTH |
 Perfect Align Tool AMZ | AUZ |
 Cutting Mat ALT | SSS |
 Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS |
 Bigshot SSS |
 Gemini Junior SSS |
 Gemini Double Cutting Plates AMZ | SSS | AUZ |
 Turntable AMZ |
 Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Bearly Art Glue SSS | AUZ |
 Glue Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Foam Tape ALT | SSS | AUZ |
 Adhesive Sheets ALT | SSS | AUZ |
