"Stumped" Again...

[stampinsweeney]

Sorry about this thread...I know there has been an abundance of info. on gamsol and watercoloring techniques recently and in the past. (I ran through so many threads that I almost forgot what I was looking for...love this site with so much info.)

I LOVE the coloring I see done with pastels, watercolor pencils and watercolor crayons. They look so light and lovely not to mention CLEAN and PRECISE. When I try to use pastels or watercolor pencils with my blender pen on coated paper like whisper white the pen always seems to easily tear the paper.

How is everyone getting such beautiful results? Gamsol and the stumps?

[twinks]

subscribing to this thread to learn as well

I have the same problem (and i don't press hard; may play too long) and in desperation tried refill ink and aqua painters and that's working the best for me. I did go to InkyAntics to look up the Gamsol and stumps, but since I am allergic to a lot of chemicals - ordered the pens they recommended instead. I'm waiting for that order to come in.

[Sherrie]

Hi Ladies
I'm so glad I found this thread and, Lynn, your mention of the pens that could be used instead of the gamsol. I just ordered some. (can't use the chemicals, but really love the look)

I really think that it takes a lot of practice to get the clean and precise coloring. I know I have to work on it more (so I'm hoping it is just practice).

[Barbra1224]

I use an aquapainter with my watercolor pencils. Mine is a cheapo brand I found at an art store, but it controls the flow of water pretty good. I've heard if you put a little sponge inside the tip of your su aquapainter you can slow down the water flow. Also, I've found if I pick up the color directly off the tip of your pencil, rather than drawing on the image, you don't have to work so hard to blend the color, thus the paper doesn't fall apart as easily.

As for watercolor vs. gamsol/prismas, it depends on the image and what look I want. They are both great techniques.

[twinks]

Sherrie & Barb -
Thanks for that tip about the little sponge in the aquapainter. One of them does give me a lot of trouble, did so from the beginning. and I just never thought about that.

For me, it might mean a lot more "practice" and a new prescription for my glasses as well - so i need all the help I can get. lol

[lbirus]

I think it's the paper that makes a huge difference in this case! The whisper white works well for gamsol/stumps because the mineral spirit isn't water and doesn't break down the fibers as easily (it also evaporates more quickly). I read advice here then tried it myself and the confetti paper or the watercolor paper works much better with the blenders, reinkers, etc. The whisper white just doesn't seem to take the extra moisture.

I think you should try the magic gamsol technique (it rocks) and you will be able to use the whisper white and get a clean precise result. If you're watercoloring, try the confetti paper or wc paper. Hope this helps.

BTW, be sure and read the tutoral this week!!!!

[stampinsweeney]

Thanks for the info. I had just checked out the tutorial prior to posting this thread. Love it!

I will try the aquapainter idea as well as using some of my confetti paper.

Thanks!

[GarnetJ]

I use the aquapainter with an old CD for my "palette." Saved a couple of those freebie internet CDs. I "smoosh" one color of ink onto the CD from an ink pad. Then another color nearby. Then I can mix and pick up the ink with the aquapainter.
Window Card.

[Happy Heart]

Mineral spirits (Gamsol) will not work with media such as watercolor crayons or pencils. It is used with artist's colored pencils such as Prismacolor or Crayola.