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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
November 30, 2022
Q: Elaine asks: "Is there a section of the gallery that has scraprooms or crafty spaces?"
A: There is! You can find lots of beautiful and inspiring spaces in the gallery HERE.
November 23, 2022
Q: Jo asks: "Can you use a Prismacolor blender that's meant for markers to blend colored pencils or do you have to use a pencil blender? If so, what are the results like?"
A: The Prismacolor (and other branded) colorless alcohol blender markers will blend colored pencil too! The result of blending is a smooth color area, as the solvent in the marker breaks down the pencil binder and allows the pigment to be blended out. The pigment will stain the tip, but not damage it. I'd recommend dedicating a marker to pencil coloring if you decide to blend that way, and not using that blender with other alcohol markers.
November 16, 2022
Q: Michelle asks: "I would like to know if there is something that I can make to keep a side step card from falling flat! I have tried everything and the card eventually falls."
A: I find that this problem usually is fixed by using sturdier cardstock as the base. 110# cover stock or a card with a weight around 300gsm is a great choice. You can find the Side Step Card tutorial HERE!
November 9, 2022
Q: Kelli asks: "I have a box of acrylic blocks that I don't use any more. What else can I do with them?"
A: Me too! I have a few larger blocks on my desk - I use them as weights when I need to keep something flat while it's drying. They also make great palettes for ink.
Here are a few tutorials in our archives that feature an acrylic block:
Stamped Acrylic Block Background (block used for monoprinting)
Monoprinting (see video)
Watercolor Imprints (block used as a weight)
Shaving Cream Sparkle (block used as an applicator tool)
Here are a few tutorials in our archives that feature an acrylic block:
Stamped Acrylic Block Background (block used for monoprinting)
Monoprinting (see video)
Watercolor Imprints (block used as a weight)
Shaving Cream Sparkle (block used as an applicator tool)
November 2, 2022
Q: maisyrae asks: "I just bought 2 unmounted red rubber stamps. What do I use as backing for them to use on the clear blocks?"
A: EZ Mount Static Cling Mounting Foam works really well for me - it holds well on a block or stamp positioner without being sticky. You can purchase it in 8-1/2" x 11" sheets, and there are 2 different thicknesses depending on your storage needs (1/16" and 1/8"). If you don't have any of the cling foam on hand, you can use a repositionable tape or tape runner to keep the stamps on your block temporarily. Through the years there have been other DIY mounting systems, including thin sheet vinyl and Velcro!
