A: One draw of photopolymer stamps is the price, usually about $15 for a 4"x6" set of stamps, that would be more expensive and complicated to produce in rubber. Smaller companies gravitate to clear sets because they're easy to produce quickly, have lower minimums, and don't require the bulky plates required for pressing. They come pre-trimmed and ready to sell; they are compact to store, and they're cheaper to mail. As far as stamping, it's nice to have a clear stamp on a clear block to see exactly where you're going with your image. Restamping or aligning multi-step images is much easier. If you have a sentiment that you want to stamp in an arc rather than a straight line, they're pretty easy to bend and maneuver on the block, too.

A: Pencils are great for adding just a little extra highlight over marker, watercolor, ink or acrylic work - I like the way they pick up the texture of the paper, too - it's a different look than just leaving a highlight area uncolored. My favorites to use are Prismacolor and Derwent Coloursoft - these both have really soft leads and they don't require much pressure to apply color to an image. For a more muted highlight, I also like the Coloursoft Cream and White Grey.

A: Ink Refresher is a product by Ranger that can be spritzed onto ink pads to extend the life of the ink. Often inkpads that seem dry aren't lacking ink - they're losing moisture through evaporation. The Refresher gives the ink a little moisture boost. I've only used it on dye ink pads but it can be used on water-based pigment ink pads as well as water-based markers. If you're not sure if your pad is water-based, swipe a little ink on a non-porous surface and see if you can move it with a wet paint brush.

A: Quite often, I stamp my images in a color that will blend into my shadows, like a grey or brown, so I don't have a really hard outline when I finish coloring. If I wanted to emphasize an outline that had gotten dulled by pencil coloring, I would probably go over it with a dark pencil. You can also use a stamp positioner or a MISTI to overstamp the image again to clean it up - we have a video on that here. A tip for coloring stamped images of people or animals - if you stamp the outline in a lighter color, use a sharp pencil to color the eyes in black, leaving a small highlight toward the top of the eye. This step really brings the image to life!

A: All those products are solvents, so you were in the right area! From what I've read online, white spirits and mineral spirits are the same thing, both petroleum based solvents. Turps will do the same action of breaking down the binder in the pencil to create a smooth blend, but the product is made from pitch (from pine trees); it's also more toxic and flammable. Whichever you choose, be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area.