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I am very pleased with my extensive investment in water color pencils, water color crayons, and Copics. I am making my own paper, coloring over stuff that's been hanging around forever! I love to color in my stamps, so I'm using more of the stamps I've collected over the years. I don't purchase embellishments at all anymore, I make everything or I alter something I ripped out of a book or magazine, using my cool coloring stuff.
I should add, if you want to do your own paper coloring and also color in rubber stamps, and you are on a limited budget, then water color pencils are your best investment. Don't worry about Copics or high--cost products like that. One set of water color pencils, some Dove blender solution, a stump or blender, and a water-filled brush set like the new ones from Tim Holtz can take you everywhere you want to go for much less investment. Get a nice wide selection, like the set from Stampin' Up with lots of different shades, that's the trick. My first set of Caran d'Ache water color markers were only 15 colors and that was really hard to work with, plus once I had that limited set I couldn't expand unless I bought the same ones again in a larger set. One thing about good color pencils (like Derwent) is that you can buy them individually.
cakhuxel- I peeked at your blog. I really love it. I am going to read it later.
I am so jealous you went to NY Comic Con. I am just green eyed jealous right now. ;) I love your craft hutch.
eyestitch- A couple of years ago I was going to do some serious buying of SU products. I am not a huge SU devotee but I love their color lines. I was doing huge research on ink pads, reinkers, watercolor pencils, crayons and all their coloring tools. I am frugal by nature so I research to the hilt on expensive purchases. I know the SU watercolor crayons are not expensive but they were when I was adding them to all my other purchases.
I did a huge search over here for SU watercolor crayons and the general consensus was the crayons were not that popular and if I remember right did not really follow with SU's color scheme. SU customers were using Lyra's and Derwents. Most of the ladies here recommended the SU crayons over the watercolors. I hope that helps.
I never bought the pencils but I did buy a set of the watercolor crayons that I really do like.
Comic Con was awesome! My husband and middle son go every year (we are NYer's living in NH) and I go along to visit friends and shop. This year I decided I wanted to check out Artist Alley so I got a Sunday ticket. It was my first time, and I was blown away! The one thing I took away with me from the experience was the joy and optimism that the people- especially the kids- threw into the event. Costumes everywhere! Laughing, sword fighting, games, more laughing. Sunday was Kids Day, and everywhere I looked there were kids sitting on their 20-something father's shoulders, and a surprisingly large number of young children holding hands with older brothers. I was just so impressed. No matter what bad stuff you hear on the news, out there in The Real World people are living their lives, and making every day count.
I agree about the Stampin' Up pencils. I keep mine in my portable art kit, for travel. I much prefer my Derwents. But if you aren't into serious art products and just want one set with a decent range of colors, then Stampin' Up is a good bet. I had been dreaming about a set of Caran d'Ache water color crayons, $77.44 for a set of 40. Hello!!! This past weekend I was at a rubber stamp store yard sale, and found a brand new set of 48 Lyra for $20. Sure, the Lyra isn't as good as the Caran d'Ache.... but the price was right!!
I have an edit on my message I wrote yesterday. I wrote SU crayons were not that popular and I meant to say pencils. The ladies over here loved the pencils. I am a dork.
Cakhuxel- I am still jealous of Comic Con, lol. New York would be a lot of fun. Con geeks are just the best. They are sweet and friendly.
I read your blog yesterday. I loved it. I really loved the post Art & Chemistry. I read it to my DH. That one hit me hard because I feel the same way. Now, I don't feel so alone. I am a smart girl but I like simple when I craft. Somerset mags and RSM are my favorites too. I subscribed to your blog.
I love their outfits. They are sooo cute! I was yabbering about Comic Con to my DH earlier, lol. My DH was like "Next year we are doing Comic Con in California." I hope so. I will be lining up tickets for the panels I want to get into. We also want to do Game Con too. I don't know which one will pull us more. I hope we can do both. That would be fun. The only people who are allowed to be grumpy at Comic Con are Klingons since that is part of their personality, lol.
Oh, DeeAnn. I hope you are not disappointed. Comic Con San Diego is something you need to plan years in advance. The people who went the year before get first crack at the tickets, and they sell out in 3 hours. Then you have to wait till they have the second round of sales for people who have never been before, and those tickets go even faster. All the surrounding hotels are already booked. I live in NH and all the flights that week are $800, that's how popular the event is. I suggest you get on the official mailing list and cross your fingers. If it works out, you can send me photos!! We are going to the '15 San Diego Comic Con, to celebrate my husband's retirement!
Oh, DeeAnn. I hope you are not disappointed. Comic Con San Diego is something you need to plan years in advance. The people who went the year before get first crack at the tickets, and they sell out in 3 hours. Then you have to wait till they have the second round of sales for people who have never been before, and those tickets go even faster. All the surrounding hotels are already booked. I live in NH and all the flights that week are $800, that's how popular the event is. I suggest you get on the official mailing list and cross your fingers. If it works out, you can send me photos!! We are going to the '15 San Diego Comic Con, to celebrate my husband's retirement!
I have an "in" to get some of the tickets. I hate saying that because it makes me feel so elitist. I wanted on the Supernatural panel and I had better luck setting next to the Queen at the Summer Olympics. I found out real quick how fast the tickets go. I was disappointed. I was invited too a couple of panels this year but I couldn't go. :( One of my game tech friends is always telling me to come down and stay at his place. Boy, that sounds so wrong, lol. We have been friends for years and he's friends with my hubby. We will stay at his place and all go together. I am hoping we can go next year but I will probably be there for 2015. I will be living out in that area around then.
Rock Star just announced this week the new Grand Theft Auto will be coming out next May. DH & I are hoping there is a release party for that one and we can get in. I am already trying to pull some strings, like beg my gaming cliques to get in, lol.
We are planning a huge move. It's been a looong time coming with too many delays. My DH wants to move back to the Pacific coast. We can't afford to do a game convention and Comic Con. We are trying to figure out which one would be more fun for us. I think we are leaning towards gaming.
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I am so glad I found this thread, ladies. I am interested in learning watercoloring with pencils (I see the brand FAber Castell is popular) and am also curious about coloring with Prismacolor pencils. I have been reading that thread (coloring with pencils), but there is a LOT to get through.
Here is my very basic question. What is the difference between using watercolor pencils such as the Alrecht Durers and using regular Prismacolor pencils?? What is the advantage/disadvantage of each??
I currently watercolor with reinkers and an aquapainter but want to branch out and improve my technique and finished piece.
Also, has anyone tried the stampin'Up watercolor pencils? Just curious if they are even worth considering.
Watercolor pencils are dryer and more transparent to color with where as Prismacolor (wax based) pencils are more opaque and creamy feeling. The prismacolors show up beautifully on dark paper as well! I use both! Prismacolor are my favorite wax based and Inktense are my fave watercolor because they are super bright. I also like Caran d'Ache watercolor crayons..oh, i like everything!
Dini and Lindsay, thank you for your videos. I am convinced. When I go to my daugher's, I will have to go to Dick Blicks to look at Intense pencils. Lindsay, I see you had the 72-color tin. Do you think you should go "whole hog" and get the 72, or is that overboard?
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So it sounds like water color pencils vs Prisma colors is just personal preference.
I watched both videos (Dina's and Lindsay's)-thank you, ladies, very helpful-
I think what I understood from yours, Dina, is that the Inktense pencils are less forgiving than other water color pencils because they are ink and once dry cannot be worked with? Did I get that right? So would you say that they are more difficult for a beginner to use?
Regarding the Prismacolors, do you have to use some kind of a blending medium with these? I keep hearing different things-baby oil, OMS (whatever that is) etc.
As far as the SU pencils are concerned, sorry I missed the threads right above here-sounds like the are probably not what I would want.
Thank so much!
Well, watercolor pencils vs. Prismacolors...... I have both. They're different and I like variety. There's probably more of a learning curve where water is concerned, as opposed to blending with a solvent.
I just finished a video about different ways to blend blendable pencils (Wax/oil-based) but I don't have internet at the house at the moment, so I haven't been able to upload it. I have a video in the tutorial section about blending/shading with pencils (no solvents used in that video) and that is here: Splitcoaststampers - Tutorials
I have allergy head today, so I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense!! xoxo
Dini- Hugs, I hate allergy heads. :( It's the worse. Some of my most confusing and goofiest posts have been due to allergy heads.
Lee Ann- I use Prisma's & Inktense. I don't really use a blending medium with my Prisma's. I use shading techniques. I never really even knew there were blending mediums for color pencils until I got into the stamping world. Since then I have used blending mediums. I like to use them for a different look. I use OMS.
Dini and Lindsay, thank you for your videos. I am convinced. When I go to my daugher's, I will have to go to Dick Blicks to look at Intense pencils. Lindsay, I see you had the 72-color tin. Do you think you should go "whole hog" and get the 72, or is that overboard?
Overboard...hmmm. maybe but I got a good deal at Blick online and I am glad I did!
So it sounds like water color pencils vs Prisma colors is just personal preference.
I watched both videos (Dina's and Lindsay's)-thank you, ladies, very helpful-
I think what I understood from yours, Dina, is that the Inktense pencils are less forgiving than other water color pencils because they are ink and once dry cannot be worked with? Did I get that right? So would you say that they are more difficult for a beginner to use?
Regarding the Prismacolors, do you have to use some kind of a blending medium with these? I keep hearing different things-baby oil, OMS (whatever that is) etc.
As far as the SU pencils are concerned, sorry I missed the threads right above here-sounds like the are probably not what I would want.
Thank so much!
Usually I just uses lighter shades to burnish and blend with and sometimes goo-gone if working on light color paper. Also prismas are great for layering over Copic work. You can also blend them a bit with a clear alcohol marker (save one for this purpose) or a clear wax blender. You will see what you like best once you try them
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Thanks for all of your knowledge, ladies. I think I am going to start with Prismas. I am assuming you recommend Prismacolor Premier vs Scholar? There really is not too much of a price difference, but looking at all the products. I did check out the Dick Blick site and found some good tutorials there. They mention a couple of different blending products, but I am assuming they are just trying to sell their products.
Dina, I would love to see your latest video on coloring when you finally get your internet back. That has got to be seriously frustrating! Hope you are feeling better, too!
I am fortunate to have a Dick Blick about 1/2 hour from me so it will be fun to go there and just look and learn the products.
Thanks for you input,
Lee Ann
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I am getting ready to purchase Dewent Inktense pencils and right now I have a 36 pencil set in my "cart". Do you think there is an adequate color selection in the 36? Also, what colors do you use for skin?
Thanks so much!
All the colors are really bright, but they can be toned down depending on how you use them... if you color directly to the paper then blend, just color really lightly... or if you pick up color from the pencil with a wet brush or waterbrush, blend with lots of water or just grab a little pigment.
I have bought them individually instead of in sets. I tend not to use bright primary colors, so sometimes even if I pay a little more I like being choosy. I have 39 pencils, so 27 of them I bought individually after my initial set of 12.
From what I have, Scarlet Pink or Tangerine are warmer red oranges that would work for skin tones.
Dini, where do you buy them individually. I have not found any locally. Looking online is not a good color match. I would want to match SU colors. Is there any source for that so I don't have to buy so many?
I have a link to dickblick on my blog, and I wait for good sales. They always have some kind of sale, but every so often they'll have a lower minimum - like $79 - or they'll have free shipping.
You're right about the color swatches online not being a good match. I like to search for hand-colored charts on sites like deviantart or wetcanvas - even then it's difficult to match with a color set from another company or line. But google "inktense color chart" for a good idea of what you'll get getting when you order online, and what the pencils look like blended - I was surprised that a lot of the primary colors look similiar to each other... another reason I like to pick them out individually so I don't have too much overlap of colors I don't use often (like blues!!).
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OK Ladies, cold press or hot press watercolor paper? Did not even know two different kinds existed until I went to the store to buy some. Also, can you use water color paper for Prismas?
Thanks!
Lee Ann
whippetgirl...your desired effect will determine what kind of wc paper you use. ..HP is smooth ( more for very detailed stamps IMO) and CP is a rougher texture..you can also get good details with it, depending on exactly how rough it is. For me..for cards I like a smooth paper as I do like detailed stamps.
Now as for using prismas on wc paper..I have never had a great deal of luck with that..but there is a blogger here ( SCS) .. I linked to her once but will try to find her for you again..her name is Louise ( she's in the UK if memory serve me) and she get phenom results with that pencil/paper combo..
I would suggest getting a couple of sheets of both ( you can buy open stock in most art supply stores and on line as well) and just see what you prefer..and have fun!! You will learn so much more by having fun and practicing!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inkin One
whippetgirl...your desired effect will determine what kind of wc paper you use. ..HP is smooth ( more for very detailed stamps IMO) and CP is a rougher texture..you can also get good details with it, depending on exactly how rough it is. For me..for cards I like a smooth paper as I do like detailed stamps.
Now as for using prismas on wc paper..I have never had a great deal of luck with that..but there is a blogger here ( SCS) .. I linked to her once but will try to find her for you again..her name is Louise ( she's in the UK if memory serve me) and she get phenom results with that pencil/paper combo..
I would suggest getting a couple of sheets of both ( you can buy open stock in most art supply stores and on line as well) and just see what you prefer..and have fun!! You will learn so much more by having fun and practicing!
ok..off to search for her blog..
Thanks much! I did buy both, stamped my first image on the hot press paper. Don't know yet what I will be buying in the future, but got a great in-store special on a 2 pack, which had one of each pad.
