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I'm fairly new to stamping and a complete newbie at colouring. I read on this forum about Gamsol or baby oil so I decided to go the baby oil route since it is not toxic.
I stamped the stamp and used my heat gun for faster drying. I then coloured in my stamps using my watercolour pencil crayons and my regular pencil crayons. I then dipped the stump in the baby oil and went over the colour and it smooths it all out and looks great.
So the gamsol is going back this week...I love the idea of baby oil gel...I already have it and it's not toxic and seems to do the trick.
I have the same question as Colleen. The baby supply stuff is not in my every day world other than baby wipes. What is baby oil "gel" and is it different from regular baby oil?
it is the same as baby oil just in gel form...I found mine in the baby section at Wal mart. It works really well...and does leave little to no residue on paper. I found that sometimes I have to work the color alittle harder but it turned out good.
I use the baby oil "gel" to blend my prisma colored pencils, too. I like the gel really well...no drips, spills and what not, and the effect is smooth and it SMELLS GOOD!!! I even use q tips for blending.
Using babyoil with regular colored pencils AND with watercolor pencils? I thought the oil was for the regular ones and water was for the water color ...
I realize that we can do whatever we want with our toys ... but you sure are confusing me now!
I used the baby oil gel (should be next to the baby oil) in the baby/cosmetic section on both regular and watercolour pencils and it seems to work for both. I like using the stumps to blend (more control then with water and paint brush).
I have some new stamps coming today, so I'm going to practice this weekend and take some pictures and try to post them.
I used the baby oil gel (should be next to the baby oil) in the baby/cosmetic section on both regular and watercolour pencils and it seems to work for both. I like using the stumps to blend (more control then with water and paint brush).
I have some new stamps coming today, so I'm going to practice this weekend and take some pictures and try to post them.
Hi, does this mean you don't need to use wax based pencils (prismas) for the gamsol/baby oil technique? I am so confused - what is the difference between using wax based and ordinary coloured pencils after colouring? Thanks, Valda
artists pencils do work better...but I tried the crayola pencils and they worked ok but it didn't give me the soft look I was looking for...you can use them but blending might be a little more work. Water color pencils work tho! chck out walmart for WC pencils.
artists pencils do work better...but I tried the crayola pencils and they worked ok but it didn't give me the soft look I was looking for...you can use them but blending might be a little more work. Water color pencils work tho! chck out walmart for WC pencils.
Many thanks for this answer, I've been trying to find out for days!! I gather then, that the wax in the prismas gives an even better look than the water coloured pencils.
If you use the gel, do you still get that oily spot on the back of your cardstock where you blended? That's the only thing I can't seem to get past...:???:
I know that Jovita posted on her blog that she tried baby oil for doing her House Mouse cards, but that for doing very large areas the baby oil does not work as well as gamsol. If you are only coloring a small area then baby oil will probably work great, otherwise you might want to see about gamsol. I know many have used baby oil and eventually go back to gamsol to get a smoother, less oily look.
__________________ Lisa C., Mom to 3 great kids, 3 super dogs and an cat that thinks she is a dog! My Gallery
Interesting...I haven't used the gamsol so I'm not sure about that...but I can tell you that using the right tools actually do help...I've never gotton any oil spots or residue on my images or seep through the back. I usually use thick bristol paper tho. Mainly used for pencil drawing etc. It's really smooth and really thick it's a 225gsm artist paper. I also invested in stumps which usually go for about 30 cents to 99 cents here in my art store.
I truely think that if your using the right tools it does tend to make a difference and then you can decide on whether or not it is for you. *big sigh* I'm going to have to buy the Gamsol now just to test this whole thing out....now that I'm all curious about the best results...I'm quite happy with the baby oil tho...the images in my gallery are mostly done in baby oil and wc crayons or Prismas. But all wer done on smooth bristol from either Strathmore or Canson artist paper. I also like the bristol for card bases. The paper is very strong and durable. Most of the pads I buy are 11x14 in size so I can get morre than two card bases out of it.
If you use the gel, do you still get that oily spot on the back of your cardstock where you blended? That's the only thing I can't seem to get past...:???:
It only depends on what paper your using if your using whisper white or regular white cardstock I found that it seeps through which can eventually seep through your card base. Use an artist grade and you will not have a problem. I tried all sorts and the the smooth bristol is my favorite for this technique.
I've been buying ready made cards from the Paper Source (only place close to me). I noticed a couple of tiny oily spots on my card yesterday but not a big oily spot at the back of the cardstock. I was using cotton swabs to apply the oil, so today I'm going to try it with the blending stumps and see if that makes a difference.
I've been buying ready made cards from the Paper Source (only place close to me). I noticed a couple of tiny oily spots on my card yesterday but not a big oily spot at the back of the cardstock. I was using cotton swabs to apply the oil, so today I'm going to try it with the blending stumps and see if that makes a difference.
But all wer done on smooth bristol from either Strathmore or Canson artist paper. I also like the bristol for card bases. The paper is very strong and durable. Most of the pads I buy are 11x14 in size so I can get morre than two card bases out of it.
Where do you get this paper? Can I get it at Michael's? I loved the look of the baby oil with my prismas but couldn't get past the oil spot on the back. I also used the blending stumps with it. So I'm guessing it was my paper?!? I was using the GP white from Wal-Mart.
If you are making card fronts... why don't you just put a piece of wax paper or some acetate behind the image... this should keep the oil from "bleeding" through onto your folded card.
__________________ MyMelissa
Southern California Desert! Ack!
Where do you get this paper? Can I get it at Michael's? I loved the look of the baby oil with my prismas but couldn't get past the oil spot on the back. I also used the blending stumps with it. So I'm guessing it was my paper?!? I was using the GP white from Wal-Mart.
Yes you can get both brands at Michaels Don't get the water color paper for this technique. I found that wc paper to be too soft in some cases when using this technique. The Strathmore Brand has more sizes in the smooth bristol paper thatn the other brands but I guess that would depend on the store.
Also instead of using q-tips which tend to carry more oil (in my own experience) invest in the stumps. They really are inexpensive and they last a really long time. An emery board is what I use to shave off the tip for a point and in between colors.
Yes you can get both brands at Michaels Don't get the water color paper for this technique. I found that wc paper to be too soft in some cases when using this technique. The Strathmore Brand has more sizes in the smooth bristol paper thatn the other brands but I guess that would depend on the store.
Also instead of using q-tips which tend to carry more oil (in my own experience) invest in the stumps. They really are inexpensive and they last a really long time. An emery board is what I use to shave off the tip for a point and in between colors.
can you buy the stumps anywhere?? I would like to try them vs the q-tip... thanks for this tip.... hehehehe sorry for the pun.. ;)
can you buy the stumps anywhere?? I would like to try them vs the q-tip... thanks for this tip.... hehehehe sorry for the pun.. ;)
Your welcome
Well.....I know Michaels carries them in packs...you can get them at art supply stores and I did check out Walmart but I didn't see any. I could've sworn they sold them in the art painting section. You knoooowwwww....these things are so inexpesive when bought individually I'm suprised that dollar stores don't carry them...I mean I only paid .30 for a #2 (size)
Our Dollarama store carries just about everything now and I always go to look for things that I know a DOLLAR store could carry because of the cost..anyways....lol..sory I was just talking out loud
Check out where you normally shop for stamps sometimes they carry stumps. Online or scrapbooking stores.
If you are making card fronts... why don't you just put a piece of wax paper or some acetate behind the image... this should keep the oil from "bleeding" through onto your folded card.
THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!!!
Hmmmm..never thought of that...I might have to try that too thanks for the tip
I've been using Gamsol for some time but before Gamsol I used "Odorless" mineral spirits. Odorless is subjective as it does have a smell and may bother some but its really inexpensive. You can get it at the hardware store. A better alternative is Ultrapure lamp oil. It has no smell and it is really, really inexpensive. This is the clear oil you put in your lamps.
As for oil spots, the only time I've had oil stains is when using inexpensive paper. Whisper White or Bristol (smooth) watercolor paper never spots (for me).
Pencils - the Gamsol (and others) actually melts the wax in the colored pencils. The more expensive pencils have more wax and give the best results. I also use Crayola colored pencils but I have to color heavier to make sure I have enough wax.
Tools - blending stumps are "the" best. When you are coloring if you are not getting the blending effect you want, make sure the stump does not have too much wax on the surface. Using lightweight sand paper, rub the stump over the sandpaper to clean it off. They say you can sharpen the stumps with a pencil sharpener, but I've yet to find one that doesn't eat up the stump. Instead of sharpening, I just trim it with my scissors.
Hope you have fun with this technique as it gives amazing results.
I've been using Gamsol for some time but before Gamsol I used "Odorless" mineral spirits. Odorless is subjective as it does have a smell and may bother some but its really inexpensive. You can get it at the hardware store. A better alternative is Ultrapure lamp oil. It has no smell and it is really, really inexpensive. This is the clear oil you put in your lamps.
As for oil spots, the only time I've had oil stains is when using inexpensive paper. Whisper White or Bristol (smooth) watercolor paper never spots (for me).
Pencils - the Gamsol (and others) actually melts the wax in the colored pencils. The more expensive pencils have more wax and give the best results. I also use Crayola colored pencils but I have to color heavier to make sure I have enough wax.
Tools - blending stumps are "the" best. When you are coloring if you are not getting the blending effect you want, make sure the stump does not have too much wax on the surface. Using lightweight sand paper, rub the stump over the sandpaper to clean it off. They say you can sharpen the stumps with a pencil sharpener, but I've yet to find one that doesn't eat up the stump. Instead of sharpening, I just trim it with my scissors.
Hope you have fun with this technique as it gives amazing results.
Thanks for this - would wax crayons have TOO much wax?
Hmm, interesting idea using crayons. I just tried it and I had to press hard to blend the crayon with Gamsol and lamp oil. The mineral spirits didn't work. I don't like for the lines to show where I laid down the color. I want it to look like watercolor and so the lines can't show. With the crayon it would take a lot of work to blend the line.
Vera, thanks for the link about the baby oil.
another thought - when blending different kinds of color you may find that different brands of pencils do not blend over each other. Prismacolor may not blend well with Crayola depending on the colors. Don't know why but I do a lot of blending without "gamsols" and I try not to mix brands if I want it to blend well. I loaded a pic that was done with prismas and blended without the use of gamsol.
Hmm, interesting idea using crayons. I just tried it and I had to press hard to blend the crayon with Gamsol and lamp oil. The mineral spirits didn't work. I don't like for the lines to show where I laid down the color. I want it to look like watercolor and so the lines can't show. With the crayon it would take a lot of work to blend the line.
Vera, thanks for the link about the baby oil.
another thought - when blending different kinds of color you may find that different brands of pencils do not blend over each other. Prismacolor may not blend well with Crayola depending on the colors. Don't know why but I do a lot of blending without "gamsols" and I try not to mix brands if I want it to blend well. I loaded a pic that was done with prismas and blended without the use of gamsol.
Hmm, interesting idea using crayons. I just tried it and I had to press hard to blend the crayon with Gamsol and lamp oil. The mineral spirits didn't work. I don't like for the lines to show where I laid down the color. I want it to look like watercolor and so the lines can't show. With the crayon it would take a lot of work to blend the line.
Vera, thanks for the link about the baby oil.
another thought - when blending different kinds of color you may find that different brands of pencils do not blend over each other. Prismacolor may not blend well with Crayola depending on the colors. Don't know why but I do a lot of blending without "gamsols" and I try not to mix brands if I want it to blend well. I loaded a pic that was done with prismas and blended without the use of gamsol.
Wow, that is absolutely gorgeous! The colors are so vibrant! I must try this technique! TFS!
Colouring with Watercolour Pencils and Baby Oil
