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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
December 9, 2015
Q: Catherine wants to know: "What is the best white ink pen for doing fine line embellishment on cards, journaling, collage on canvas, and other artwork?"
A: I really love the Uni Posca pen for journaling and adding highlights in white. It's an acrylic paint pen that is available with a variety of tip sizes, but I prefer the ultrafine (0.7mm) tip. It's able to layer over acrylic paint and other colored surfaces, which is so important in mixed media art. I have used a couple of other fine acrylic pens but have had problems eventually with those either drying or clogging, or the tips splitting. These flow well and stay bright white until the ink runs out. If you purchase the ultrafine, be sure to get the 'pin type' tip (PC-1MR) - I prefer that to the plastic nib (PC-1M).
December 2, 2015
Q: Billie wants to know: "I have a question about designing a card. Do you first get your inspiration from the pretty paper or do you pick the embellishment first? My friend starts with the paper that catches her eye, I tend to go to the embellishment or focal point first."
A: I try to not do things the same way every time...! Most often I'll color an image first and then choose papers to match for the base. Sometimes, though, when I need a little kick start, I'll create a background first - like a gel print, or patchwork of scraps from my stash (or my desk as I clean!). I'll use the colors in those pieces to guide my color choices for the focal image.
November 25, 2015
Q: Laurie wants to know: "Many of my stamps do not fit a die or punch because they are too large. What is a good way to cut an even border around a stamped image?"
A: Cutting around an image with scissors is called fussy cutting, a term we've borrowed from the sewing community. My best tip for cutting out images is to go slowly, and to move and rotate the cardstock rather than trying to angle your scissors around the bends. You'll find more suggestions about fussy cutting in this forum thread. Hope that helps!
November 18, 2015
Q: Kren wants to know: "We are going on a long trip and I thought it would be fun to take a sketch book or an adult coloring book along. I wondered what you would recommend to take in the way of coloring tools? "
A: Watercolor pencils are great for coloring on the go - they can be used dry or wet, so you can have different results with the same medium. I keep my pencils in binder-type cases with elastic loops, so they're easy to tuck in a bag and keep contained. I always save a loop for a waterbrush, and tuck in a few paper towels to clean color from the brush when I paint - there's no need for an open container of water, and clean up is so easy.
November 11, 2015
Q: Debi wants to know: "I would like to stamp different size circles on white cardstock but I don't have circle stamps. How do I do this?"
A: Found objects can be great stamps - look around for small lids and stamp with the edges to create circle outlines. Cardboard paper rolls work well, too. If you want solid circles, try die cutting your own stamps out of craft foam sheets (you can find instructions here), or create a stencil using circle dies.
