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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
August 27, 2014
Q: Dolores wants to know: "After making a beautiful card, how does one preserve it or even clean it should it become necessary?"
A: A spray fixative or varnish will help preserve cards with lots of layers and dimensional embellishments, and will also deflect dust. Art supply companies stock aerosol sprays that are acid free and non-yellowing; these are available in matte or glossy finishes. For flat colored panels (watercolor, pencil, etc), Microglaze can also be used to seal in color and protect your art - it is a wax-based product that's just rubbed on with a finger or a soft cloth.
August 20, 2014
Q: O'Nelda wants to know: "I don't have an embossing machine and would like to know if you can purchase embossed card paper."
A: There is a line of Coredinations cardstock called Core Impressions (embossed cardstock with a colored core). Other cardstock packs may include embossed sheets in their variety. Before I had an embossing machine I used texture plates and a stylus to emboss cardstock. The texture plates are 2-sided plastic plates with a debossed design that can be traced with a stylus or other embossing tool.
August 13, 2014
Q: Melodye asks: "What ink or markers should you use on glossy paper? I have some blank cards that are glossy and nothing seems to stay; everything wipes right off."
A: Try heat setting the ink to prevent smearing. Water-based or dye-based mediums may tend to bead or smear on glossy paper when wet, but a quick dry with an embossing gun can make a big difference. Alcohol inks and markers work well and dry quickly, and they also have some interesting properties on the glossy surface. Memento ink is compatible with the markers, and also does well on glossy cardstock. For stamped images not colored with alcohol markers, try Stazon, Brilliance, or chalk inks.
August 6, 2014
Q: Kathy wants to know: "How do you keep chalk adhered to a card?"
A: You can apply chalk directly to your card; for more vibrant color, it needs something to stick to on the surface of the card. I like to use Versamark ink, but I've seen water used as well. After applying chalk, use a spray fixative to keep it from smearing. Even aerosol hairspray will work.
July 30, 2014
Q: MaryEllen wants to know: "What's the best way to blend watercolor pencils?"
A: I use a wet brush or waterbrush for covering larger areas, and a blender pen for finer details. The pigment can be lifted directly from the pencil for painting, or you can use the pencils to scribble a palette on scrap watercolor paper or cardstock. This is a great way to mix colors, too. For a more vibrant look, color the image directly with the pencils where you want the color to be strongest, then blend out with a wet brush. You can layer and blend pencil over dried paint to deepen shadows, or add unblended details with the sharpened point.
