Thursday, March 2, 2017

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


34 comments:

  1. You are seriously so knowledgeable. I love the look of the watercolor brush pens. So pretty. Thanks again for this excellent experiment!

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  2. love the look with the distress pens! another technique to add to the list of things to try!

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  3. Wow Annie! I would love to play with your stash! You have it all. I love all this information and would like to get some watercolor pencils. Do you have a favorite brand?
    I've been there with the drinking glass on my table with watercolor. Fortunately I caught it before drinking any. Now I keep that glass on a different table ��

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  4. Been there, done that with the rinse water!

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  5. You had me at keister! It's a word not many use anymore and it makes me chuckle. Thanks for another excellent comparison!

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  6. Denise- There are a bunch of different brands out there at a variety of price points. Personally, I just use the Prismacolor Premier watercolor pencils. Not the greatest, but I'm not a watercolor pencil artist by any stretch of the imagination. Arguably, The best quality water color pencils are the Caran d'ache Museum Aquarelle. But, those come with a hefty price tag. For a starter set, the Primsacolor Premier's get the job done for me. Easy to find locally (I bought mine from Office Depot).

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  7. My favorite is the watercolor brush pens, although I do love them all! I have watercolor pencils, just the prismacolor brand, but I don't find water coloring to be easy at all... I always seem to leave water marks when it dries, which irritates me to no end... All of yours came out so perfect! Thanks for sharing your talents and funny remarks! LOL

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  8. I love the distress pens so I guess they go on the list. I mostly use pencils but find blending to be difficult. Great Unity images as always! TFS

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  9. Love the effects you got from all of these. I have the distress markers and they are great to watercolor with. :)

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  10. these look awesome...anyone would be thrilled to receive....love how you are comparing and showing us your results

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  11. This was a great water color lesson! It was very informative. Thank you so much!
    Lisalagan@optonline.net

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  12. I've never met a watercolor I didn't love. Thank you!

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  13. I've only just began playing with watercolor, reading this and watching the tutorials on unity has made me much more confident. Thank you!

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  14. Ladonna Parkinson OrtegaMarch 2, 2017 at 11:44 AM

    I really enjoy your articles. Your work is beautiful and your sense of humor is the BEST!

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  15. Watercolours are great. Pretty cards. Hugz

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  16. This is a really lovely set you've used today; not sure I've seen it (or maybe I just over-looked it). Your cards are lovely. And I appreciate your knowledge - every little bit helps me a lot! Can't wait until tomorrow's post ...

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  17. Lovely cards! Thanks for the comparison

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  18. I love how you are showing us different things than other GIU have done. Great job.

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  19. So very lovely again love all the comparisons you have been showing us all. Also have not seen this set before and have open my eyes to a new stamp set. Can't wait to see tomorrow project.

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  20. What a soft and pretty set of cards! I love them all!

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  21. Very nice card and I love the comparison side by side of the different products used!

    Thanks for the lesson

    Carmen

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  22. Absolutely gorgeous cards! I have been wanting to try watercolor pencils and I think that is going to be my next crafty purchase.

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  23. These cards are beautiful. I need to try the watercolor pencils, I am sure I have some in my stash somewhere. And as for the rinse water...yeah, it doesn't taste nearly as good as it looks. Or maybe doesn't look when you are mindlessly looking at something else and pick up the rinse water by mistake.

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  24. Love the cards and this stamp.....and I'm still laughing about the cheetos!

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  25. I just love this. This is my favorite card that I've seen in a while....the flowers are wonderful!!!

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  26. Christine Bush. If you have Distress Inks in pad form or even the reinker, you can get the same look just using a standard paint brush. You may find that having a "thirsty brush" meaning, moist but not wet is easier to control. I find I have more trouble with a water bush than a standard paint brush. Remember, a few light layers of watercolor (or glazing) can be just as effective than one heavily pigmented layer. Water spots may be the result of the type of paper you are using. So, experiment with different types.

    As for pencils. If you are using standard colored pencils. You may want to invest in a blending stump. Blending stumps are rolled up paper pencils. Depending on if your colored pencils are waxed based or oil based, the blending stump helps move around the pigment across the fibers of the paper. Also, try switching to a smooth paper or even some bristol. If you have access to laser printer paper, that's a good place to practice. Hope that helps set you on a path to success! I'm happy to answer any follow up questions. Or get you a link to someone more experienced than I am.
    Annie

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  27. Dale Sue- Me either. I just bought ANOTHER set of watercolor markers. I have watercolor brush pens, but the markers were calling my name!

    Must have ALL the supplies!!!

    -A

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  28. More beautiful cards! I love your teaching technique. I have learned so much about the different coloring mediums. I tend to stick to two or three favorites, my comfort zone! I also prefer watercolor pencils. I like the control I have with them since I mainly color small images. Saving my pennies for a really good set!

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  29. What a lovely image and such beautiful watercoloring! I do not have very good results with Distress Markers applied directly to the paper....could be the paper I am using! lol... I do love my Faber-Castell and good old Crayola brand watercolor pencils along with my waterbrush, though!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  30. Thanks for another set of gorgeous cards. I love playing with watercolours too, I really like using my Derwent Inktense pencils they give such vibrant colour. Cute stamp too.

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  31. #dontdrinkrinsewater OMG I am so glad I visited today...I am laughing so hard and it is much needed after my week. Your coloring tips have been so great (and humerous) and your card is beautiful.

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  32. I love how you sprinkle in so much technical knowledge with your humor. Maybe you can be a guest blogger on the unity blog someday. :)

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  33. Your cards are beautiful! I've just begun to do some water coloring so all your information is helpful! Thank you.

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