Advice on creating clusters

[Oscaralley]

Hello ladies...

It's been a while. I've been under the weather....I'm trying my best to dig myself out of this hole I'm in. What better to do than to dive into crafting....right!?!?!

I loooove all the layouts you guys do...they are always amazing. I rarely ever use flowers out of the kits, because I have boys. BUT....I love what you ladies do with them. Could you ladies give me some tips on how to create them. (ANY clusters of that matter). I have tried to start doing more layers on my cards and other projects.

Also....I use Silhoutte Studio and there isn't great shadowing tools....I really hope they improve that because I love working with the program....it's super easy.

Here is a card I'm working on now....What do you think about this cluster? Sorry...it's not the greatest image.

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[Heidi1472]

That is a beautiful cluster! You did a great job. And I love you cards and hybrid projects. That is something I really never have done.
As for how I do my clusters - I start with a bottom, bigger layer be it a flower, star or whatever and then gradually get smaller as I work my way up. Usually I do a large something and then a couple littler things tucking in other elements along the way. Add greenery and a paint splatter/grunge in the background. Finish it up with some shadowing. It really is something that I had to experiment with. I had some great cluster templates that I used over and over until I could nearly do it in my sleep. I still use templates when it is a quick page. I often play with them along the way though. And yes, it is hard with boys. I like to use stars, gears, circles form my boy pages.

 

[lilholmes6]

That is a beautiful cluster! You did a great job. And I love you cards and hybrid projects. That is something I really never have done.
As for how I do my clusters - I start with a bottom, bigger layer be it a flower, star or whatever and then gradually get smaller as I work my way up. Usually I do a large something and then a couple littler things tucking in other elements along the way. Add greenery and a paint splatter/grunge in the background. Finish it up with some shadowing. It really is something that I had to experiment with. I had some great cluster templates that I used over and over until I could nearly do it in my sleep. I still use templates when it is a quick page. I often play with them along the way though. And yes, it is hard with boys. I like to use stars, gears, circles form my boy pages.

I've never heard of a "cluster template". Where do you get them? I do okay with my clusters, but I would love to do better!

 

[Oscaralley]

That is a beautiful cluster! You did a great job. And I love you cards and hybrid projects. That is something I really never have done.
As for how I do my clusters - I start with a bottom, bigger layer be it a flower, star or whatever and then gradually get smaller as I work my way up. Usually I do a large something and then a couple littler things tucking in other elements along the way. Add greenery and a paint splatter/grunge in the background. Finish it up with some shadowing. It really is something that I had to experiment with. I had some great cluster templates that I used over and over until I could nearly do it in my sleep. I still use templates when it is a quick page. I often play with them along the way though. And yes, it is hard with boys. I like to use stars, gears, circles form my boy pages.

Thanks Heidi!! That's great advice. I will just have to do a little here and there and MAYBE it will get better! Thanks so much!!

 

[CindyB]

I think your cluster is beautiful! It could use a little more shadowing to make it "pop"...but you certainly nailed the layering!

I think a good template is always a solid start to any clustering. JB Studio has some awesome templates and her kits are always jam packed with flowers and other goodies which makes clustering super easy.



And these "cluster templates" I found would be a nice starter...





I never apologize for flowers on boy pages either...sometimes it's all about the season and not really a gender thing...at least that's what I tell my kid hahaha.

 

[msbrad]

I've never heard of a "cluster template". Where do you get them? I do okay with my clusters, but I would love to do better!

You could follow the cluster on a template as a guide. There was also an action written several years ago which made clusters. I'm not sure if it is still around or not. Perhaps a google search.
m

 

[bcgal00]

Shadowing is important, whether you create your own or use actions...whatever works for you...it's all about creating depth. I start with a few med/large pieces for my first layer, the flattest one closest to the background paper and that will have the least shadows as there isn't much depth, and then building up with a few pieces overtop, with deeper shadows. Then I start using all size products, tucking them in between layers and on the top layer. I usually finish with going back to the first layer and adding non-dimensional products like paint, glitter, brushwork, etc. If things are still not quite how I want them, I will move a few pieces around, maybe changing the layer they are on and/or resizing them.

I use flowers all the time for boy pages. I love flowers so I don't care about the gender theme of the page.

 

[pagefrocks]

I agree, shadowing is key. The shadows should have some variation based on element and height. I use a shadow action to make it go quickly and then tweak on anything unusual.

Here is one available in the store:

 

[Oscaralley]

I think your cluster is beautiful! It could use a little more shadowing to make it "pop"...but you certainly nailed the layering!

I think a good template is always a solid start to any clustering. JB Studio has some awesome templates and her kits are always jam packed with flowers and other goodies which makes clustering super easy.



And these "cluster templates" I found would be a nice starter...





I never apologize for flowers on boy pages either...sometimes it's all about the season and not really a gender thing...at least that's what I tell my kid hahaha.

Thanks!! I love that layout!!! Handsome guy!!

 

[Oscaralley]

Shadowing is important, whether you create your own or use actions...whatever works for you...it's all about creating depth. I start with a few med/large pieces for my first layer, the flattest one closest to the background paper and that will have the least shadows as there isn't much depth, and then building up with a few pieces overtop, with deeper shadows. Then I start using all size products, tucking them in between layers and on the top layer. I usually finish with going back to the first layer and adding non-dimensional products like paint, glitter, brushwork, etc. If things are still not quite how I want them, I will move a few pieces around, maybe changing the layer they are on and/or resizing them.

I use flowers all the time for boy pages. I love flowers so I don't care about the gender theme of the page.

This is great advice and I'm sure I will be re reading it over and over...lol!!! THANKS AGAIN!

 

[Oscaralley]

I agree, shadowing is key. The shadows should have some variation based on element and height. I use a shadow action to make it go quickly and then tweak on anything unusual.

Here is one available in the store:

Thanks....I might have to grab that. I didn't realize that you should use different shadows for different layers.....makes a lot of since. I really have a lot to learn. How do you know which to use at bottom and what at top. UGH!!!

 

[Milfordmasseya]

I am using a program that has very primitive shadowing : I manually chose the color and transparency along with angle on every single element. I am still trying to get the hang of it.

As for clusters I use templates. I don't have the "I can see it in my head" power so I need someone to tell me or at least guide me on where to place the flowers. With the guideline I can then move them around. With that said I still struggle when the flowers in the kit don't resemble the template and they turn out weird haha