Some Basics
Terminology:
AIG = Art Institute Glitter (tm)
CS = Card Stock
DTP = Direct to paper
EP = Embossing Powder
PC = Polymer Clay
PPA = Perfect Paper Adhesive(tm)
PX = Pearl-Ex(tm)
RAK = Random Act of Kindness*
RP = Radiant Pearls(tm)
SASE = Self Addressed Stamped Envelope*
SAML = Self Addressed Mailing Label*
SS = Secret Sister, Secret Stamper Secret Santa*
UM = Unmounted Rubber Stamps
UTTE = Ultra Thick Embossing EnamelDye Inks:
Dye inks are a more recent invention. They are designed to penetrate and stain the paper surface, rather than adhere or bond to it as pigment inks will. While this approach produces bright, vivid colors, it is inherently unstable and produces a "light fugitive" effect, meaning that colors fade and shift rather rapidly when exposed to normal environmental factors, such as light, heat and moisture. They will run if they get wet and their colors aren't as vibrant as some other inks. On the plus side, they dry quickly and leave a very crisp image so they are good for highly detailed stamps. They are easy to clean as they leave very little residue on the stamp, although some darker colors leave a stain. Stamp cleaning solution will get a stamp clean regardless of the colors that have been used.Pigment Inks:
Pigment inks have been used for thousands of years to create long lasting imagery found in caves, monasteries, museums and other protective environments. Their coloring agents are solid particles that are relatively stable, insoluble and non-reactive with other materials sitting on the stamping surface. pH balanced pigment inks are recommended for archival applications.
Pigment based inks are also water based but, unlike dye inks, they contain little particles of color. Because of this, they leave an impression that is more vibrant and more resistant to water (once dry) than their dye based counterparts. They also stay wetter longer so they are suitable for embossing. On the negative side, they can't be used on glossy card stock - they will smear. A stamp inked with pigment ink can usually be cleaned with a wet paper towel but the darker colors may require the use of a stamp cleaning solution.Markers:
Are great for adding color when it is not essential for the ink to be fade resistant or permanent, similar to watercolor paint. The ink is not water resistant, thus it can be blended with a blender pen or a paintbrush and water. Two of the mainstream markers sold are TomBow and Marvy and come with brush tips and a fine point. Marvy does sell large tip markers which are great for inking a stamp. Both TomBow and Marvy make blender pens to use with their markers and their marker colors and blenders are interchangeable, you can use both brands together to increase your color range if you so desire. You can use a Dove blender also. Several stamp companies (Stampin' Up, Stamp Affair) also market their own brand of markers. Their markers may typically match their ink pads and maybe even their cardstock.
For finishing, you can always spray with a fixative or sealer (one with UV protectant will help keep the colors from fading as quickly).
Coloring Stamped Images -
Stamp your image on cardstock with black or dark ink, make sure your stamped image is inked using a waterproof ink such as Memories. If you're planning on embossing the image before coloring, bleeding will not become a problem. Since the markers are waterbased, a non-waterproof image will bleed. Color in the stamped image as desired with waterbased markers or pigmented markers. Know your markers, and choose the one which will perform best for the project you are working on. You can use a blender pen or brush and water to soften and blend the colors. You can pick up color from the marker using a blending pen to color your image for a softer look. Use a blender pen to lightly pull the color from the outline of the stamp into the inside portions, giving a monotone look with different shades of the same color.
Watercolor techniques -
Watercolor techniques are perfectly suited for rubber stamping because of the transparency of the colors. The lines and details of the stamped image will not be covered. Watercolor ink from markers can be applied before or after stamping for backgrounds, foregrounds or detail coloring. This method of applying brush marker color gives a softer effect than coloring directly with markers. It also eliminates the harsh overlap lines caused by markers. Experiment with your colors and the amounts of ink and water, which will achieve a variety of effects. Apply brush art marker ink to a plastic plate. Transfer the colors to your background paper or prepared stamped image, using a damp brush or a blender pen.
Coloring directly on the rubber -
Coloring directly on the rubber die of your art stamp using a variety of colors will give you an accurately colored design which could not be achieved using a stamp pad. Because it takes longer to hand-ink a stamp in this way, the color you applied first may begin to dry out before you are ready to stamp. Breathing or "huffing" on the stamp surface as if to fog a mirror will re-activate the ink.
Do not use permanent markers when coloring directly onto the die of your stamps. They dry too quickly, and also stain the rubber.
Add versatility to your stamp usage by coloring only a portion of the stamp design, using only the parts that will fit your theme.
To get more than one image from a stamp directly colored with markers, ink the stamp with clear embossing ink before adding color to the die with your markers. Stamp the image and emboss it with clear powder. You should be able to get two or three images this way before needing to re-ink the stamp. Lightly spritzing the surface of the stamp with a mist of water will also enable you to stamp the image more than once.Colored Pencils:
Colored pencils work best when applied in layers of color. Start with the lighter tones and work towards the darker tones. A light hand is best unless you want to acheive a specific look. If you plan on using colored pencils as your medium of choice, your best bet is to invest in high quality pencils. Verithin Prismacolor, Prismacolors (Berol), Brunzeel, Lyra, Staedler, Derwent etc. The Berol pencils are thicker and waxier vs the Verithin which is a harder, thinner "lead". A good art supply store can help direct you to a brand of colored pencils that will fit your style.
Some of the basic coloring techniques are using the side of the pencil, a dull point or newly sharpened. I would recommend buying a good quality metal hand sharpener for your pencils. I've done the initial sharpening when they were new with my electric sharpener then completed the process using a hand sharpener.
1. side of point - this is the "lazy pencil hold". You have little control this way, but it produces a light value and is good for base layers.
2. dull point - this is a regular hold. It produces a medium value in color and you've got good control. I think this is the one you'll use the most.
3. razor sharp - this is a regular hold, using a freshly sharpened pencil. It produces a dark value of color and you have great control - great for drawing but go easier on the pressure.
There are many different types of coloring using pencils. Filling in areas using cross-hatch, circles, long strokes, short strokes, etc. A practice page of several stamps to color will help to learn how each stroke looks and the best usage of each type of stroke. Also, using a texture under the coloring can product some interesting and realistic effects.
Use any of the following erasers: Kneaded eraser, Factis White Oval, Pink Pearl, Art Gum, Alvin "Softie" White Velvet. A kneaded eraser and a white eraser are good starters.
Blending using Colored Pencils:
Colored pencils are not necessary used with a blending medium. But there are blending pencils available and you can use a tortillion/blending stump and mineral spirits to blend the colors. Colored pencil application and blending is often done by using layers of colors to produce the final image. The colors are somewhat translucent so the application of one color over another will not necessarily cover the original color. Experiment with different color combinations along with different strokes to see the range of effects and applications you can accomplish.
Colored pencils can be used in conjunction with other mediums. You can paint an image using watercolors, markers, etc and then add a colored pencil application to enhance, detail, etc the image. I often use them to add interest to a piece that I may have originally colored using the DTP technique with inkpads. Make a watercolor wash background, stamp an image and use colored pencils to color in the image.Watercolor Pencils:
Applying/blending watercolor pencils -
When using colored pencils start with lighter colors first and work to the darker. Let the colors overlap and blend for interesting shades It is more effective to apply several light coats of pencil shadings, adding more until the desired intensity is reached, rather than one very heavy application. Stray marks can be erased with an art eraser.
Creating watercolor effects -
Once the coloring is completed, you can stop here, or achieve different effects by adding water.
Color your image with dry pencils, blending and shading as desired. Dampen a paintbrush with water and paint over colored areas. A barely damp brush gives brighter color, with pencil lines showing. Adding more water will blend the colors more smoothly. The more water you add, the less intense your colors will be. But adding excessive amounts of water will cause the colors to run together, and the paper to buckle.
Blend the colors instead by stroking with a blender pen, eliminating the need for brush or water.You will find that this is a great use of the blender pen!
Watercolor Techniques -
Watercolor pencils give you professional looking results with the benefits of ease in use, lots of pigment, reasonable price, and the use of a fine point for coloring small areas.
Use with a palette: rub a pencil tip on a piece of paper, building up pigment. Use a damp brush or blender pen to pick up pigment and add to your art. This is a great way to mix colors.
For bright bold colors, take the pigment directly from your pencil tip. Dip your brush in water and press to the tip of the pencil. This will give you undiluted pigment for strong colors.
A thick opaque look can be achieved by dipping the pencil tip in water and applying the color wet.
Dry use of watercolor pencils to color stamped images on dark paper or on velour paper gives beautiful results.There are many, many different types of adhesives available to the rubber stamper these days. Most stamping can be done without the need for every adhesive on the market. Here's a list of the ones that are probably the most popular:
- Yes paste
- Modge Podge
- Aleene's Tacky glue and designer tacky glue
- Xyron
- double stick tape
- carpet tape
- glue sticks
- Tombow white glue (permanent and repositionable)
- PPA (perfect paper adhesive)
- E6000
- acrylic gel medium
- PVA (used in bookmaking)