Colouring Experiments.

I've been experimenting with some different colouring mediums I have, including my PM's again.

I have a pile of thick cream card that our Andrew gave me yonks ago but I have no idea what card it is. Problem is, it's a dark cream. Anyway, I decided to try the PM's on it and they worked really well. They went on nice and solid and no bleeding although the blending could be a little better. Not sure if the cream background distorts the colours or not. First one is left on the cream card and the second one is cut out.

Then, I tried painting using my Distress Ink pads on watercolour paper. I'm well impressed with this method. In fact, so impressed I now want more distress inks, lol. They go on just like watercolour paint and blend well too. The finish is lovely and vibrant and I love it.

Finally, I tried my INKADINKS on watercolour paper. These aren't so vibrant and I think my paper needs to be smoother for these. But...if you layer them, then they would be lovely and vibrant too.

The faces on these last two are more pinky in real life and look quite good.

Anyway, just thought I'd show you By using my other media as well as the PM's it's opened up a whole new colour palette and different finishes.

wow they are fabulous.

In our class at school a few weeks back the teacher brought some little inks pots in and was letting the children use them like watercolour to colour pics of Charlie and Lola that they had drawn themselves.

I like the idea of this. I've not got distress ink bottles, only pads, do you think the alchol inks would work like this too.

Think my fave is the red lady.

They all look good to me. I haven't got a favourite as they would
all do very nicely.

karinlouise wrote: I've not got distress ink bottles, only pads, do you think the alchol inks would work like this too.

Karin, I used the pads. I've not got the bottles either. I did mention that.

Alcohol inks won't work like this. They dry far too quickly so you won't be able to blend and you certainly couldn't use a wet paint brush with them. You can paint with them, I've done it on acetate, but you won't get the effect of watercolouring.

love the distress ink colours best.

I hope this doesnt mean you are going to have another phase of doing cute cards Lorraine, it was the beginning of the end of your mojo last time....

Lorraine wrote:

karinlouise wrote: I've not got distress ink bottles, only pads, do you think the alchol inks would work like this too.

Karin, I used the pads. I've not got the bottles either. I did mention that.

Alcohol inks won't work like this. They dry far too quickly so you won't be able to blend and you certainly couldn't use a wet paint brush with them. You can paint with them, I've done it on acetate, but you won't get the effect of watercolouring.

I am so so sorry, I was and am convinced I read the word bottle. Maybe it was thinking about school that put bottle in my mind. Sorry for not reading properly.
Do you just apply the brush to the pad then, or tap some onto acetate first.

The colour pads I've got are all brownie sort of colours I think, need to check them

Ignore my question, have just had a go and tapped it to clear plastic and added water. Not a bad result, but then not brilliant either. Turns out they aren't all brown mahogany, pine needles, marigold, tea and burlap so few different ones.

My colouring is really carp, as I don't really know shading etc., can put colours together as papers but not as paints. But for what its worth, at least I tried Will put pic up when I have done card.

Yes, like daughter like mother in this instance. I love the distress inks best and use them on nearly all my "colouring in" although I don't do much of that anyway.

They are all lovely but have to say the distress ones look really good. Not tried colouring with them, something else to have a play with at some time.

Actually I like them all, wish my colouring looked as good. Have just ordered my first promarkers for Dave to give me for my birthday.
Dont stop doing "cute". I like them.

Hard to say, I think I prefer the 2nd 2 as I prefer that stamp, but I also like the more subtle colours. However they are all good.
Also a bit confused on how to paint with an ink pad.
I have a distress pad or 2 and thought they were distress inks ie alcohol. So what are they, I must say it was wetter than I thought it would be from the demo I'd seen, expected a subtle colour and ended up with what looked like blood. Oh dear, I'm not really good at this stuff.

Karelyn I just tapped the ink pad on an acetate sheet a couple of times, wet my brush, taking off excess water and the pick up some of the ink colour and brush. I also added water to the ink on the acetate (small drops obviously) and picked up the colour the same way with the brush.

I'm not too good at colouring, am learning though as I realise I don't do as much shading as I should. And I can't put the right colours together but its still fun

i love them both. i want to learn colouring as well.

So do I Jane, something for the retreat weekend me thinks! They are all lovely Lorraine.

I thought the distress one would go down best. It's lovely and vibrant and no, I'm not going 'cute' again, Maria, lol. Although, I will be doing some of it.

To paint with your pads, you can put the brush to the pad, but it's easier if you don't. Acetate like Karin, or I use a white tile. I've always used a tile for stuff like this (or even a plate if you haven't got a tile). Pat the pad onto your tile and it will leave some ink. DON'T wet your brush as the inks are waterbased and wet enough. Pick up some ink on your brush and paint your image where you think you'd want some shade, then in a circular motion blend it out. Add more ink to the brush and go over the whole thing again blending and filling your image. Now you can wet your brush..A LITTLE... to help the blending.

Don't forget that you can mix colours too with these inks.

aha, must try that

oops bad manners, thanks Lorraine

Lorraine wrote:I thought the distress one would go down best. It's lovely and vibrant and no, I'm not going 'cute' again, Maria, lol. Although, I will be doing some of it.

To paint with your pads, you can put the brush to the pad, but it's easier if you don't. Acetate like Karin, or I use a white tile. I've always used a tile for stuff like this (or even a plate if you haven't got a tile). Pat the pad onto your tile and it will leave some ink. DON'T wet your brush as the inks are waterbased and wet enough. Pick up some ink on your brush and paint your image where you think you'd want some shade, then in a circular motion blend it out. Add more ink to the brush and go over the whole thing again blending and filling your image. Now you can wet your brush..A LITTLE... to help the blending.

Don't forget that you can mix colours too with these inks.

Ahhh see I've always used a tiny bit of water on my brush, mind you the colours I have are all really vibrant and bright so it watered it down a bit and I love the idea of the tile. I have one for heating on but never thought of using it for inks, I guess at least you can see it on the tile instead of the acetate being clear !!!

have made a card with it but will put it in card gallery with the other one I did of same picture. Saves clogging up this thread too.

Pat your pad all round the edges of the tile, Karin and you can get quite a few colours with room for mixing in the middle. A little goes a long way, especially on watercolour paper. Also, the inks will dry on the tile, so just leave them. Next time, dampen your brush and use them again. No waste.

As for watering them down, yes, that's fine if you want a paler colour. They really do behave just like watercolour paints but if you want the vibrancy, then you have that choice.

ooo thanks for that lorraine, yes I will have to get a tile just for colouring I think. I did have a few somewhere, when I got my heat one. I am begining to love colouring and painting, just need a bit of a lesson in shading and colour mixing I think