Wow! Doing that background must have been a real chore and black, as you pointed out, is not forgiving. I do like both versions. The white background looks smooth and clean behind the colorful design and the colors still pop well...it looks like a a bright, vivid print. The black background looks like watered silk and the designs and colors look more 3D-ish, like a colorful tapestry woven on the silk.  Really can't say which I like best...like them both.    Amazing effort!      

I like the Copic Sketch Special Black marker too, in addition to the Jet Black Prisma...they are deeper and darker than the regular blacks. 

I love your analysis, @Tikobaby!  I actually only have one black marker which is the Prisma named 'Black' .  You've mentioned those colours before and I keep looking out for them.  I may have to break down and order them.  By the way, Mr. F is apparently addicted now, too, which is great in theory, and he has done really beautiful pictures, but HE IS USING ALL OF MY MARKERS!  

Sounds like Mr. F. needs to invest in his very own set of markers at this point!  

I know!  I keep suggesting that but he declines to do so.  Here's what I'm dealing with:

Whoa!  Looks like our bed right now...overrun with markers and marker cases.  Of course, I'm the only one using them. Try this one:  "Honey, you have such natural artistic flair that you deserve your very own set of markers of your own choice...brand new and just bursting with color!"    

Or, you could just lock up your markers and hide them.  

Haha. Excellent advice!  Although, I assure you if we buy new ones they will be mine!!!!  

Of course!  

First off, I really like your pictures. I love the color variations. It is hard to decide between the white and black background. The black certainly brightens them up!

        I also wanted to mention how I covet your marker stash. I finally broke down and bought some nice markers. I got a primary color set of copic ciao, a set of Artist's Loft which is Michael's brand, and a set of Spectrum Noir. I have been hoarding 50% off coupons. The AL brand are quite nice. The Spectrum ones sort of feather or bleed so I am getting used to them. I cringe at the thought of buying the Copic Sketch. I may just buy fun colors one at a time with my handy dandy coupons, now that I have a decent base. I will have to check out Prisma now too!

@Grimalkin, thank you.  I find that Michael's often has sales with 20% off or better, and I will pick up some markers then.  I do love the Copics but I think if I could only have one brand, I'd probably choose the Winsor and Newton.  They don't have brush tips, which I like, but they have a really nice tip (nib?) that is easy and enjoyable to use.  Sadly, Mr. F agrees.  

LOVE  my Winsor & Newton ProMarkers!   Just ordered a 12 pack from Amazon.  

Once again, Mr. F displays his good taste...

Oh, Oh, Oh!  Such a beautiful stash of markers!  I only have Prismacolor pencils, but since I don't even color every day I am not allowing myself to go beyond that (we won't discuss how many sets of the pencils I have bought, okay?)

As to the picture, I also like it both ways.  The white background doesn't make the colors pop the way the black background does, but the white one makes them look a little magical.  So don't be sad that you colored in the background.

4 minutes ago, SoSoNosy said:

Oh, Oh, Oh!  Such a beautiful stash of markers!  I only have Prismacolor pencils, but since I don't even color every day I am not allowing myself to go beyond that (we won't discuss how many sets of the pencils I have bought, okay?)

As to the picture, I also like it both ways.  The white background doesn't make the colors pop the way the black background does, but the white one makes them look a little magical.  So don't be sad that you colored in the background.

Thanks, @SoSoNosy.  I'm pretty happy with the finished picture and I have the photo with the white background, too.  I also have the Prisma pencils. I think they are beautiful.  But, since I bought that stash of markers, I rarely use the pencils.  I think you should put some markers on your birthday wish list.  I bought some for my daughter-in-law for her bday and I was beyond excited for her to receive them in the mail.  It's a great gift idea for your loved ones. You will love them!

Both pictures are great, but I adore the black background, @Fascinated.  I am still playing with my new prisma markers, getting adjusted to the flow and how to keep them from feathering.  You do such a great job with that.  And Mr. F has nothin' on you!

I love the one with the black background. 

Oh wow, I freaking LOVE both versions. I want to look at those pictures forever. How are you all so talented?!

I love both versions, but I prefer the black background. The colours really pop out and it almost looks as a relief. Very nice!

Also, impressive stash of markers - trying very hard to not be jealous .

I love both. I do think the non-joined flowery bits (with lilac center) look better with the black background because they pop a bit more.

9 hours ago, Fascinated said:

I know!  I keep suggesting that but he declines to do so.  Here's what I'm dealing with:

Thank you for making me feel less addicted. Although if I was to put all my coloring stuff on a table like that it would possibly take up more room. I'm going to stay in denial

I think they both look great but the black background wins for me, it really makes the elephants and flowers pop off the page and the colours look really vivid. Another one who is very jealous of all your markers. I am going to put the copics on my amazon wish list and try and save up to get them. Will need to hide them from my daughter if I get them as she tries to steal my pens as it is! Most sets I have ended up buying an extra so she keeps her mitts off mine lol

3 hours ago, OnceUponATime said:

I love both. I do think the non-joined flowery bits (with lilac center) look better with the black background because they pop a bit more.

Thank you for making me feel less addicted. Although if I was to put all my coloring stuff on a table like that it would possibly take up more room. I'm going to stay in denial

Everyone seems to be enjoying @Fascinated's photo of her coloring supplies as much as I am so I thought another coloring stash photo would be welcome!  This one doesn't include actual coloring books, but my latest "in progress" page is peeking out.     Anyone else want to share their coloring stash photos?

Wow, @Tikobaby!!!  Awesome stash!!  I need to get a few more case/holder thingies.  Is your Copic case made specifically for Copics?  I only have one, which came with the first set of Prismas, and, as can be seen, I have SEVERELY outgrown that. But those little clear boxes I have work quite well.  (But they are overflowing, too.)  I love, love, love your stash. Although I don't know how you manage all of that in bed!!  

Haha, I love your little teaser there, too. I'm excited to see it finished. 

Yes, everyone, show us what you've got!  It's fun to see!

7 minutes ago, Fascinated said:

Wow, @Tikobaby!!!  Awesome stash!!  I need to get a few more case/holder thingies.  Is your Copic case made specifically for Copics?  I only have one, which came with the first set of Prismas, and, as can be seen, I have SEVERELY outgrown that. But those little clear boxes I have work quite well.  (But they are overflowing, too.)  I love, love, love your stash. Although I don't know how you manage all of that in bed!!  

Haha, I love your little teaser there, too. I'm excited to see it finished. 

Yes, everyone, show us what you've got!  It's fun to see!

@Fascinated, all my cases are Prismacolor cases...they work great for the Winsor & Newton and Copic markers and they all match and hold the markers securely. I have my small set of Copic Ciaos in the plastic container with my erasers and pencil sharpener for drawing. (Didn't include drawing materials in pic...just coloring.)  Managing everything while coloring in bed can be a bit of a mess!  Markers disappear in the covers and slide all over the place. Mrs. Baby has to warn me of any impending movements when I'm coloring to avoid a disaster...the usual.  The artist's clipboard is a huge help and I always use it with a 11X15 sheet of Strathmore watercolor paper behind my coloring page to avoid bleeding through and to test colors on the edges.

Yes, I'm a tease!  That in progress page is from my new book,  Pampered Pets...I love that book!  It's the first page I've done from it. 

Let's see some more coloring stash photos!  C'mon, we know you colorists out there have tons of stuff too!   

I like both versions

I like both of them, but I am partial to the one with the black background.  I see if I had kept reading I would have gotten the answer to the which black markers you use, as well @Tikobaby.

When I was going into the SNF, I wanted something better for my markers than one giant tub of disorganization, so I bought several plastic art bin boxes that have slotted inserts that hold something like 208 markers per box.   I really like them because you can see each pen in it's own slot and they are easy to sort.  I did have them sorted by color, but I recently made a "swatch book" and reorganized them by brand when I was doing that.   I had enough room for my sharpies, bic markits and a few random smaller sets between the 2 boxes I bought.  My only complaint about them is that even the extra deep boxes are not deep enough to hold pens that are the longer, slim type like the staedtler triplus or the stablio .88 type.

5 minutes ago, Curious said:

I like both of them, but I am partial to the one with the black background.  I see if I had kept reading I would have gotten the answer to the which black markers you use, as well @Tikobaby.

When I was going into the SNF, I wanted something better for my markers than one giant tub of disorganization, so I bought several plastic art bin boxes that have slotted inserts that hold something like 208 markers per box.   I really like them because you can see each pen in it's own slot and they are easy to sort.  I did have them sorted by color, but I recently made a "swatch book" and reorganized them by brand when I was doing that.   I had enough room for my sharpies, bic markits and a few random smaller sets between the 2 boxes I bought.  My only complaint about them is that even the extra deep boxes are not deep enough to hold pens that are the longer, slim type like the staedtler triplus or the stablio .88 type.

Can you show us these boxes, @Curious?  My little plastic boxes are overflowing and are SEVERELY hindering my ability to buy more!  Where did you buy them?  They sound like something I need. 

4 minutes ago, Fascinated said:

Can you show us these boxes, @Curious?  My little plastic boxes are overflowing and are SEVERELY hindering my ability to buy more!  Where did you buy them?  They sound like something I need. 

I don't have a picture of mine on my laptop, but this is the boxes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027ACBKI/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and these are the slotted dividers (4 fit in each box): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AI741T6/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was wrong about the size, too.  With 4 of the slotted inserts, each box holds 256 markers.  I can confirm they can hold copic, winston & newton, prismacolor and regular ones like sharpies.  The long slim type do NOT fit, however

I'm very happy with them and wish I could find as good a system for the longer markers and for colored pencils.