Just a Scrap Dork

Growing In Unity Day 4:

Happy Thursday Unity Peeps. Are you folks enjoying this week as much as I am?

I am not sure how much of this information you have found useful. But, It's been fun experimenting with all my stash along the way.  One of the best parts about Unity Stamps is how much fun they are to color.  From small details to large open areas to shade, you can always find an image that suits your preferred coloring medium. Maybe you have a coloring medium that gives you the look you want, or maybe you want to expand your arsenal.  Either way, coloring those wonderful red rubber stamps is always going to be a fun adventure.

Today's coloring comparisons focus's on water as a blending medium. Originally I thought about comparing the differences between the different types of traditional watercolor.  Pan, cake, liquid, powder, or straight from the tube.  But, honestly, there are more differences between quality of paints and pigments than the format in which they come in. But, for the most part, they all react the same way. Paper and water control pay an equal role in the results you will achieve. So, there isn't a lot of comparison to talk about without you wanting to set yourself on fire just for something better to do.
Instead, I will compare similar mediums that are all water reactive. I know, EXCITING!

Unity Stamp:
In My Garden - I just love the size of these images and the versatility of the flowers and stems.

Paper- Just like when you use any other water reactive mediums, watercolor paper is your friend. However, I did use some Mixed Media paper for this application.  You just have to pay attention to your water control, you don't want your paper pilling like that sweater you wore in the 7th grade!

Coloring Mediums

• Distress Markers
• Watercolor Brush Pens
• Watercolor Pencils

Distress Markers- They have all the same properties of  distress ink (see Wednesday for full detail) except the markers are not refillable.  Just like with any marker, you can be precise with where you are laying down color.  That said, markers are not great for making backgrounds where you are applying a lot of color.

Watercolor Brush Pens- This style of marker has a brush nib.  Just like a standard paint brush. There are other versions that do come with a bullet nibs, that I am sure will color much the same way.  The positive of using a brush pen is the variety of brush strokes you can achieve by varying the stroke pressure. (I assume.  I'm really talking out my keister here ).  Another positive is how pigmented the paint is coming out of the barrel.  Premixed, you will get consistent results with each use.  These are easily reactive with water, and you can apply the paint onto a palette then add water for more translucent pigment. The pigment in these pens are very vibrant and the colors blend very well with each other.

Watercolor Pencils-  In my opinion, the best features of watercolor pencils are as follows: 1. The large variety of colors available. Sometimes, you don't have the brain power to premix colors for proper hue and intensity, watercolor pencils are your friend, 2.  Portability; A  handful of pencils, some pre-stamped images & a waterbrush - you are good to color to your hearts content.  Lastly. Colored pencils are great for coloring small detailed images.Sometimes you need a fine point to shade those little pedals on a flower, or the cheeks on an Angie Girl! Unfortunately, colored pencils come with a few challenges as well.  Achieving large gradiated washes is not easy.  There is not an easy way to add pigment to a pallet to create a large wash of color.   You have to pay attention to the pressure when you are applying pigment.  Sometimes you can dent the paper which may not be the look you are going after.  Third, depending on the quality of your paper, you may not be able to liquify all of the pigment, thus leaving behind pencil marks. Erasing mistakes can be a bit of  a challenge here because you are rubbing pigment inside the fibers of the paper, so it can get trapped, unable to be released.  The intriguing part of standard watercolor is the loose translucent color.  For me, watercolor can give you that but,  pencils are more about precision.

Each of these mediums have their specific usages, Which one is best for you?  

Final Results:

Top- Distress Marker

Middle- Watercolor Pencil

Bottom- Watercolor Brush Pens

Don't forget to comment to be entered into the drawing on Saturday for a Unity prize! 2 people will be selected to received some yummy Unity goodness!  

Come back tomorrow- we are going to end the week with a few unexpected mediums!

-A-

p.s #dontdrinkrinsewater