Edited - Link to Glenda, Link to MCC
I gained much from the two stamping courses tutored by Glenda Waterworth via My Creative Classroom (MCC) & was thrilled when I saw that there was going to be a colouring course. This is the start of the homework - entirely optional with everyone doing as little or as much as they wish according to the time & materials each person has available.
I was fascinated by coloured pencils as a child & when I first discovered realistic colouring of stamps around a year ago I started off using watercolour pencils & then Distress Inks. However, I found it very difficult since I had neither sufficient knowledge of inks & paper nor of shading/blending. I ventured along the ProMarkers/Copics route for a short period but it wasn't until I tried wax/oil based pencils blended with Sansodor that I was able to reduce the time I spent colouring from days to hours. The problem of knowing how to create depth & realistic shading remains & I've longed to know how to use the various neglected pencils & colouring mediums I have bought at various times along my crafting journey.
The above is all by way of explaining why I decided to do such an extensive testing of inkpads & papers/cardstock for the first of the MCC homework exercises.
The types of inks & paper/cardstock etc.... used are all detailed on the individual photos which are clickable for enlarging.
The best cardstock for all round use seemed to be the Southfield Bright White 160 gsm card (available from Chocolate Baroque). This buckles slightly when water is applied but flattens itself when adhered to another piece of cardstock, alternatively it can be ironed when dry. It has the advantage of being extremely smooth & consistently gives a crisply stamped image with most inkpads (the exception seems to be the chalk variety). For anyone who likes to "fussy cut" their image the 160 gsm weight is ideal; anything much heavier is hard going on the scissors & hands. For wetter techniques the best of what I used was the Winsor & Newton Cotman Cold Pressed Gummed Water Colour Pad 90 lbs/190 gsm.
In terms of the inks my favourite all rounder is Memento Tuxedo Black Dye which can also be used with alcohol markers, however it can bleed a little when used with water. For projects not involving alcohol markers the Memories Black Dye Ink just has the edge over the VersaFine Onyx Black Pigment ink for definition.
The above is all by way of explaining why I decided to do such an extensive testing of inkpads & papers/cardstock for the first of the MCC homework exercises.
The types of inks & paper/cardstock etc.... used are all detailed on the individual photos which are clickable for enlarging.
In terms of the inks my favourite all rounder is Memento Tuxedo Black Dye which can also be used with alcohol markers, however it can bleed a little when used with water. For projects not involving alcohol markers the Memories Black Dye Ink just has the edge over the VersaFine Onyx Black Pigment ink for definition.
9 comments:
its so nice to see your progress through your courses you really are so very talented and an true inspiration i love your work and i get so much from following you so thankyou so much your a truely great friend xx
i think this is a great post...it's very helpful and informative, because everyone wonders about paper/ink quality...but few people take the time to do the homework and find out first hand what works best. it's nice to see a thorough crafter...someone very cerebral...walking themselves through learning and becoming proficient in new things and techniques.
you are an inspiring person. i like to come here and feel refreshed...your blog is very true to what your thinking and who you are, and that is a huge part of creating a great place to visit...so thanks:)
xo
What a great post full of information, it must have taken you hours!! Thanks so much for sharing, I too have a bunch of Promarkers, but not the skill to use them properly!
Hi Paula.
Such dedication! You now have something you will always be able to refer back to.
Sandra
Paula, you are so dedicated!
Sandra (CB)
I'm actually surprised to hear you found something better than Versafine picked up the detail on stamps - that's interesting to know
Debz
xx
Im quite impressed with your attention to detail Paula :)
Last week for the first time I did print off a list of all the Pro-marker colours with a box to shade in next to them. Spent about an hour colouring each one in, and so feel quite proud of that! :D lol.
have a great day,
hugs
xxalisonxx
What a detailed testing of papers and inks...how helpful and thanks for sharing it with everyone.
This is fantastic!! What attention you have taken, it will pay off in the end! So many times and am thinking what was that combo I used, this is great and how wonderful of you to share your finds with everyone!!
xxAutumn
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