Thanks to fellow blogger and stamper extraordinaire, Toni, I learned something new today! And it involves coloring! Toni posted about a couple of techniques she enjoys using with her stamps, one of which is the Gamsol / colored pencil technique. She provided the link to a tutorial which explained how to use Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits) to blend colored pencils.
I've been looking for a way to color stamped images without investing a huge amount of money. I have tried watercolor pencils with some success, but I also have lots of colored pencils, so I thought this would be a good, low-cost technique for me to try. I didn't want to drive all the way to our local art store, so I called Michaels to see if they carried mineral spirits, and they told me they did. Alas, when I got there, they actually did not. But the guy who helped me told me to try Home Depot, so off I went and promptly found a large container of it.
Of course, when I got home and actually looked in our garage, I discovered that we already had mineral spirits. I told myself that my new container (marked "odorless") was surely better than the one we have (marked "low odor"). Neither one is artist quality, but I'm not sure how important that is.
At first, I failed completely at blending the colored pencil marks. This was not a surprise to me, since I'm somewhat tool-impaired! So I scouted around and found a tutorial on YouTube which demonstrates the technique so that even I can do it! :-)
I've been looking for a way to color stamped images without investing a huge amount of money. I have tried watercolor pencils with some success, but I also have lots of colored pencils, so I thought this would be a good, low-cost technique for me to try. I didn't want to drive all the way to our local art store, so I called Michaels to see if they carried mineral spirits, and they told me they did. Alas, when I got there, they actually did not. But the guy who helped me told me to try Home Depot, so off I went and promptly found a large container of it.
Of course, when I got home and actually looked in our garage, I discovered that we already had mineral spirits. I told myself that my new container (marked "odorless") was surely better than the one we have (marked "low odor"). Neither one is artist quality, but I'm not sure how important that is.
At first, I failed completely at blending the colored pencil marks. This was not a surprise to me, since I'm somewhat tool-impaired! So I scouted around and found a tutorial on YouTube which demonstrates the technique so that even I can do it! :-)
This is my first completed attempt, so it's not perfect, but I will say that it was fun to try and should enable me to get far more use from my stamps. I love that I can adjust the colors of pencils to match the paper I have on hand. Thanks so much, Toni!
Supplies: Bazzill cardstock, Doodlebug stamps, colored pencils, odorless mineral spirits, blender stumps, Marvy punch, corner rounder, We Are Memory Keepers ribbon, Zig marker, chalk, pop dots
Adorable! I've been itching to try that technique too. Toni's cards are always so stinkin' cute! You've inspired me...maybe this evening I will try this out. I believe I still have some mineral spirits from my painting days. :D
ReplyDeletethis is beautiful and way to go for trying a new technique
ReplyDeleteCute card! This is one of my fave techniques to use with stamps. Or was, when I stamped more and scrapped less!
ReplyDeleteIt came out great. I have some of that gamsol that I rarely ever use. You've inspired me to dig it out.
ReplyDeleteCute card! I actually have mineral spirits, so I'll have to try this the next time I'm stamping. TFS!
ReplyDeleteJanet, this ROCKS! Beautiful job! And look, you have inspired some other ladies to pull out their colored pencils too! :) Glad you like the effect!
ReplyDeleteThank you, guys! Seriously, I'm tool-impaired but even I can operate a blender stump! Or if you look at the video, the instructors says a good wooden Q-tip will work, too.
ReplyDeleteToni-Thx for the daily inspiration! You inspire so many of us with your beautifully colored images! :-)
This is great, Janet. I love the idea, but alas am also tool-impaired. You should demonstrate this at BC. I'm sure others would be interested and what fun we would have.
ReplyDeleteYour coloring (and card) turned out great! Hmmm...I have colored pencils. Maybe dd and I will try our hand at this today.
ReplyDeleteAwwwww... too cute! Love the kitty, of course.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try this out too.
Janet, this looks beautiful! Love that scalloped circle & the ribbon. Fabulous job w/ the coloring! I need to give this a try. Adding to my to-do list. ;) BTW, I laughed when you said you already had a bottle - I can't tell you how many times that happens to me. Or worse, I'm sure I have whatever it is and don't buy it.
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful! Congrats on trying a new technique and achieving such a wonderful result with it too!
ReplyDeleteVery cute card. I have everything to color my stamps, I really should to it more often
ReplyDeleteLOVE that! Gotta go check out this video and then ask DH if we have any mineral spirits hiding in the garage;)
ReplyDelete