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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
March 8, 2017
Q: Lyn wants to know: "I don't have a die cutting machine - how can I get the effect of partial die cutting in another way?"
A: Create your horizontal center line as usual, then instead of using a die for the cut-out shape, stamp or trace an image with a portion extending above the line. Cut around the outline above the center line using a craft knife. If you trace a shape, place your paper on a foam pad and use a small ball stylus to outline the lower portion.
March 1, 2017
Q: Debbie asks: "I have a lot of sets of stamps with matching die cuts...how do you store those? I try to keep them together but it isn't working well."
A: I use Evernote to organize my stamps and dies, so if I have a matching set, I just add a "matching die" tag to both entries - that makes it easy to find them together in a search. I have my stamps and dies stored separately - my dies are on magnet sheets in hanging file folders, and my stamps are on plastic sheets in card boxes, all stored by category. Some people are using durable, clear envelopes to store their stamp sets - in that kind of system it would be easy to cut a piece of magnet sheet to size, put the coordinating dies on it, and tuck the sheet in behind the stamp set.
February 22, 2017
Q: Maggie wants to know: "I was wondering if I could be directed to a safe website where I can download different kinds of fonts to use for card making. I always see hand crafted cards that have computer generated sentiments but I don't have the same fonts on my computer."
A: My favorite site for free fonts is Font Squirrel - I'm generally using fonts for rubber stamp designs so I need to be sure they are ok for commercial use, and all their entries are. (If you're selling your cards, that might be a consideration for you as well.) Another popular and safe free site is DaFont.com. If you don't mind paying a little, Creative Market has wonderful trendy font and graphic bundles for really low prices. You can find more links from our members HERE!
February 15, 2017
Q: Sheila asks: "I'm a beginner with pencils and blending methods. What do you recommend for paper, especially for blending? "
A: Your preference may vary from mine, but I prefer a paper with a little texture when I use colored pencils - as you add color you are filling in that texture or "tooth", so the more texture there is, the more room for pigment there will be. When you blend with a solvent or blender pencil, you press the pigment down into the tooth (with a smooth paper, you could just be moving it around on the surface). I've been recommending that people try Bristol paper - the kind I have (Canson XL Recycled Bristol) is toothy on one side and smooth on the other... that way you can try both and find your preference.
February 8, 2017
Q: Channelle wants to know: "For pencil shading, it's often recommended to have 3 shades of a color: dark, medium, and light. What if you only have a medium shade?"
A: If you have limited colors to work with, you can vary the intensity of a single pencil by changing the pressure you use when you color. Work with a sharp pencil and a light pressure for a pale shade. Holding the pencil further away from the tip will help you to lighten up your pressure. Move your hand closer to the point for increased pressure and shading and even closer for dark shading and detailed lines. Work in layers of color, letting the pencil blend the pigment as you build up. Use a darker color (like purple, brown or black) for deeper shading and details.
