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Good morning, ladies.....I've been coloring recently using watercolour pencils and blending with an SU blender, or a Dove blender and I've been really happy with the results. I stamp my images to be coloured using Versafine Onyx Black.
I recently realized that often, as I'm blending, the blender is pulling the onyx black ink into the watercolour turning it grey-ish.
Anyone know what I mean? Can anyone tell me if there is a black ink I can use that won't be moved by my blender?
TIA
Jo
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Jo
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Hi Jo,
I just tried your method with Ranger archival black ink and nothing turned gray as far as I can tell.
I tried the Versafine next and heat set it first...no turning gray.
Hi Kathy.....thanks so much for responding.....it's so much appreciated.
Anyway....I have now tried four different black inks, heat set, for the second time.
Ranger Archival Jet Black, Adirondack Pitch Black, Versafine Onyx Black and Memento Tuxedo Black. They all turned grey the first time.....and they've all turned grey again.
Maybe my next question should be......what kind of card stock are you using?
Thanks so much.
Jo
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Jo
Proud Fan Club Member
...sure it�s got a catchy beat, but can you stamp to it?
life is something that happens only when you run out of cardstock
I'm using Strathmore Mixed Media paper. I like that it's a brighter white. It works well with the blender pen, as too much water will make it pill slightly.
Hi Jo, the blender tip is not as user friendly on watercolor paper, rougher than a watercolor brush. I suspect (guessing) your ink is turning gray, because it's being overworked by the blender pen. Try a brush with either natural or synthetic hair meant for watercolor. You can just dampen it enough to smoothly blend, I think you'll be amazed how much easier it is to blend.
Versafine is great for watercolor - I use it all the time. You have to be very careful that it's 100% dry - I like to heat set mine. And I wouldn't use a blender - I bet it's the chemicals in the blending solution that are activating the Versafine. Try heat setting and using only water and water based inks and see if that helps. I've never had it pull ink out with this method.
Hi ladies....thanks for your answers. I just phoned Stampin' Up. They told me it happens with ALL INK other than Stazon (??!!). I just did a test of every combination of everything I have which includes Ranger Archival Jet Black; Adirondack Pitch Black; Versafine Onyx Black; Memento Pitch Black and Stazon Jet Black for ink. For blenders I have SU, Dove and Tombow. None of them work perfectly....they all bleed....but from what I can see the combination with the least bleeding/smudging is a Dove Blender with Stazon Jet Black ink.
I'm using white card stock from my local stationery store, BTW. I'll have to try some Strathmore Mixed Meaia.
Thanks again for your help.
Jo
__________________
Jo
Proud Fan Club Member
...sure it�s got a catchy beat, but can you stamp to it?
life is something that happens only when you run out of cardstock
Hi ladies....thanks for your answers. I just phoned Stampin' Up. They told me it happens with ALL INK other than Stazon (??!!). I just did a test of every combination of everything I have which includes Ranger Archival Jet Black; Adirondack Pitch Black; Versafine Onyx Black; Memento Pitch Black and Stazon Jet Black for ink. For blenders I have SU, Dove and Tombow. None of them work perfectly....they all bleed....but from what I can see the combination with the least bleeding/smudging is a Dove Blender with Stazon Jet Black ink.
I'm using white card stock from my local stationery store, BTW. I'll have to try some Strathmore Mixed Meaia.
Thanks again for your help.
Jo
You could try some watercolor paper and a watercolor brush. I have never used a blender pen before so it could just be reacting with the ink no matter the kind you are using.
I also, am not a huge fan of waterbrushes..except for travel . The leak and you don't have as much control ..to me anyway. I much prefer and actual brush dipped in water. JMO though.
I do prefer watercolor paper though.
I'll second or third the recommendation to use water with watercolors instead of blender pens.
Blender pens are formulated to move ink. That's their purpose. So, of course they will move your inks.
Try using either a waterbrush or a watercolor brush dipped in water to blend. You won't have the same problems with ink moving. Any of the pads mentioned above should work fine.
I'll second or third the recommendation to use water with watercolors instead of blender pens.
Blender pens are formulated to move ink. That's their purpose. So, of course they will move your inks.
Try using either a waterbrush or a watercolor brush dipped in water to blend. You won't have the same problems with ink moving. Any of the pads mentioned above should work fine.
This is what is says on the package:
So that's what I did. Was very disapointed to find that it bled.
__________________
Jo
Proud Fan Club Member
...sure it�s got a catchy beat, but can you stamp to it?
life is something that happens only when you run out of cardstock
I find that Stazon does bleed when I try to use it one both Whisper White & Paper
Trey white. I have never understood the raves about Momento inks as I have never had any luck with them either in getting a crisp image or for use with OMS. I have used Stewart Superior Palette ink pads for years and have never had a problem with them bleeding or smearing. It is the only ink I use for colored pencils & OMS and for watercolor pencils, water brushes & blender pens. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be making it any more so I have been buying up all the grey & black pads and refills I can find on close out.
It's wild that this came up. I just stamped the Girlfriends I laughed so hard stamp with the Ranger Archival and I used both Dewent watercolors as well as Hobby Lobby's Sargent Art brand watercolor pencils. I used Strathmore Windpower Water color Cold Press paper. I didn't have anything turn gray or bleed. I do have a Copic Blender. I just use a fine water brush to blend in the colors, I've never used a blender with watercolor pencils. I just gave it a shot on one of the extra pieces. I didn't like how the blender took the crispness of the line of stamping away. It didn't bleed or gray up but the line where I stamped wasn't as nice. A bit blurred and was no longer sharp.
I didn't read anyone's comments.... I will after I post.
I wonder if it was the type of paper or card stock you used. The other type of paper I use is this illustration paper that people who like to draw cartoons. Inks don't bleed into it or on it.
I'm just wondering if it were a fluke.
Last edited by Denverkat276; 10-03-2014 at 08:55 AM..
First off I have to say I'm a watercolor snob because I think that anytime water is not involved it's blending, not watercoloring. Yes, I know people will say there is no "wrong way" to do something, but sometimes it does matter what products we use. Watercolor papers are made to work with water so the effects with different products will not be the same when not using watercolor mediums.
I've never been a big fan of blender pens and I only use then to fix things/touch up for inked images. So I thought I should give them a test to see what would work for "me". Here is my results:
All test images were heat set and cool before the test. Generic cardstock, watercolor pencils, and blender pen:
Memento - no bleeding
India Ink - bleeding
StazOn - no bleeding
Versafine - no bleeding
Watercolor paper, watercolor pencils, and blender pen:
Memento - bleeding
India Ink - bleeding
StazOn - no bleeding
Versafine - bleeding
Watercolor paper, watercolor pencils, and blender pen:
Memento - bleeding
India Ink - no bleeding
StazOn - no bleeding
Versafine - bleeding
Watercolor paper, wax pencils, and blender pen:
Memento - bleeding
India Ink - no bleeding
StazOn - no bleeding
Versafine - bleeding
I've used India Ink for years for watercoloring with no bleeding but it seems it's not good for blender pens and I love Memento for use with Copics but not for blender pens. In my little test, StazOn is the only one that never bled but for me I never use it for watercoloring because it will bleed. It was fun to do the test... HTH
First off I have to say I'm a watercolor snob because I think that anytime water is not involved it's blending, not watercoloring. Yes, I know people will say there is no "wrong way" to do something, but sometimes it does matter what products we use. Watercolor papers are made to work with water so the effects with different products will not be the same when not using watercolor mediums.
I've never been a big fan of blender pens and I only use then to fix things/touch up for inked images. So I thought I should give them a test to see what would work for "me". Here is my results:
*
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I've used India Ink for years for watercoloring with no bleeding but it seems it's not good for blender pens and I love Memento for use with Copics but not for blender pens. In my little test, StazOn is the only one that never bled but for me I never use it for watercoloring because it will bleed. It was fun to do the test... HTH
Ok so it was the blender pen. I think I personally will stick with water. I was able to get beautiful looks with my pencils and simple water. I do love the water color paper for the watercolor pencils and I use the illustration paper for markers and stuff like that. I too mainly use the blender to fix mistakes and that doesn't always work as it depends on the marker and the paper.
Does that make me a snob too?? lol Thanks for that information it definitely explained the separation a bit for me.
Ok so it was the blender pen. I think I personally will stick with water. I was able to get beautiful looks with my pencils and simple water. I do love the water color paper for the watercolor pencils and I use the illustration paper for markers and stuff like that. I too mainly use the blender to fix mistakes and that doesn't always work as it depends on the marker and the paper.
Does that make me a snob too?? lol Thanks for that information it definitely explained the separation a bit for me.
I guess I'm a watercolor snob too. But I tend to take it a step further...to me it's not watercolor if you don't use tube paints. Now, I use watercolor pencils and crayons, it's just that it doesn't seem like "real" watercolor to me. Maybe because I learned to paint with watercolors long before I used any other watercolor medium. It's water only if it's watercolor!
But I have a question on your tests, stamphappy. The second and third tests show the same conditions but different results. Or is there another variable I don't see?
I guess I'm a watercolor snob too. But I tend to take it a step further...to me it's not watercolor if you don't use tube paints. Now, I use watercolor pencils and crayons, it's just that it doesn't seem like "real" watercolor to me. Maybe because I learned to paint with watercolors long before I used any other watercolor medium. It's water only if it's watercolor!
But I have a question on your tests, stamphappy. The second and third tests show the same conditions but different results. Or is there another variable I don't see?
Oh drat - it's a typo - one should be cardstock but the results were the same and didn't matter on the paper.
I learned with tubes also but I don't buy them that often anymore. I love most forms of watercolor so long as there is water involved. I use pencils, tubs, paints, Peerless papers, & gelatos. The only medium I don't really like are crayons. But since I'm getting better with gelatos I'm probably better with crayons now.
Oh, I love the tube watercolors too. I also have the old style solid disk pallets too. When I play, I go all out!! lol
OH and I played with the gelato's at the scrapbook expo too. That is a new favorite. It's on my christmas list. I told family members where to buy inexpensively with those lovely coupons!! I really enjoyed them. I didn't think much of them before I played with them. That makes all the difference.
Me too! definitely water and brush with watercolors. Blender pens are just a waste of money in my book. I Purchased a couple years back and hardly used them. I do prefer either artist grade pan and tube paints, love pans for long wait times for appoints or when traveling. You just can't get the same quality results with cheap watercolor. I'm not saying you can't get "good" results with cheap brands, but I get "excellent" results with artist grade. The color is more vibrant and intense, just my opinion. I guess I'm a watercolor snob too, LOL
Last edited by Annecards; 10-09-2014 at 06:29 AM..
Watercolor Pencils and Blenders
