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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
September 13, 2023
Q: Shellie wants to know: "I embossed an image and then colored with Copics. The black bled onto my markers and bled into the paper. Do you know if there is a brand of embossing powder that is Copic safe?"
A: From what I have read, it is the pigment of colored embossing powders that may react with the alcohol, rather than the plastic. Next time you could try stamping with black pigment ink and then embossing with clear powder if you find the raised outline helps your coloring. Another great alternative is to stamp the image in dye ink using a stamp positioner. Leave the stamp in place, color the image, then return the panel to the stamp positioner and stamp and emboss after coloring.
September 6, 2023
Q: Pamela asks: "I was looking to get some black cardstock, any recommendations? I like it more on the thick side, not flimsy."
A: I am a big fan of the Fabriano Black Black paper pad, and it is the darkest black cardstock I have found. According to their site, "This paper is characterized by a very deep black colour due to the high quality and lightfast pigments used for its production." It comes in a range of sizes, and they offer weights from 300-680 gsm. I've purchased the 300 gsm weight in 8"x8" and 9"x12" pads of 20 sheets each. Other member favorites come from Gina K and Hero Arts.
August 30, 2023
Q: Jill writes: "I'm looking for tutorials that show watercoloring of stamped images using dye inks and watercolor markers."
A: We have quite a few! Here are some links for you:
Watercoloring with Dye Inks
Palette Blending
Distress Watercolor Dry Embossing
Misted Markers
Distress Marker Painting
Watercoloring with Markers
Watercoloring with Dye Inks
Palette Blending
Distress Watercolor Dry Embossing
Misted Markers
Distress Marker Painting
Watercoloring with Markers
August 23, 2023
Q: Stacy asks: "What stand alone die or die set is your absolute favorite?"
A: I think my favorite fun die set is the vintage truck set by Spellbinders, Truckin' Through the Seasons. For practical everyday use, the Spellbinders A2 rectangle sets are the ones I reach for most.
August 16, 2023
Q: Louise asks: "How would an image colored with watercolor markers differ from using water color pencils?"
A: Both will produce watercolor-like results... the difference will be in opacity and lightfastness. Dye based products (markers, inks) are transparent and not lightfast. Watercolor pencils are more likely to be pigment based, more opaque, and lightfast.
