Back to an Old Problem

[binx]

At least a problem for my friend and I - and it's adding color to (dry) embossing.

I finally ordered a WB-ordained Scooby Doo die set, and went on a treasure hunt finding the right card stock colors while it made its way over the ocean from the UK. Found good paper colors, but that's when I thought I'd be paper piecing.

The set arrived today, and it's cut-and-emboss (the kind that only cuts the outside line and all details inside are dry embossed).

Trying to add color these pieces, my friend and I have been trying different combinations of paper and coloring mediums this afternoon with no great success.

We've tried embossing on water color paper, but haven't had any success (too thick?). If we use a regular card stock (something decent like Neenah Solar Crest), the colors run when using water-based markers or water color paints. I'm no pro with alcohol-based markers, but haven't tried them b/c I tend to think they'd bleed a bit too. My friend tried Bristol smooth and didn't have much better luck; that was disappointing b/c we use that a lot for water coloring stamped images.

Another friend suggested the old way of colored chalks, but that look is not at all what we're after.

How would you add color to images in this situation?


Thx for suggestions. Cathy said she won't sleep till we solve the problem; don't believe her, though, LOL.

[Angelnorth]

Would acrylic paint solve your problem? It sits on the surface more than something like watercolour or the ink in any sort of marker so it shouldn’t bleed. You can get it in a huge range of colours and it doesn’t have to be expensive, the craft acrylics will do you fine, you don’t need artist grade stuff. Something like the Deco Art Americana paints are probably quite inexpensive at a big box store.

[Scrapjanny]

I have a few embossing folders that I add color to by using finger daubers and pigment inks. Maybe that would work for you?

[howdyheidi]

Lightly swiping the inkpad directly to paper and hope it just hits the embossed parts? Some folders work better than others for this.

[shazsilverwolf]

Could you perhaps emboss onto the different coloured papers/cardstock, and fussy cut to paper piece. Other than that, have you tried coloured pencils?

[JBgreendawn]

So, this card of mine here. ( its an embossing folder) I used an aqua brush and distress ink on the shadows of the grass and then a blue piece of cardstock ( I ran this folder twice through the machine) and cut out just the bird, inked him up a little and gave him an eyeball and glued it to the green sheet.

is that kind of what you mean?

[bjeans]

Assuming I understand correctly, I’ve use inked blending foams (the ones Tim Holtz uses for Distress and Oxides) to lightly go over the surface after embossing. If the embossing folder doesn’t make deep impressions, I’ve had to use a very light touch and make sure the tool is carefully held so it’s not at an angle. Good luck!
Beth

[dini]

Does this tutorial help?

Colored Dry Embossing Tutorial - Splitcoaststampers

[binx]

Just wanted to say thanks to all. We're going to tackle some of the suggestions this weekend (like the tutorial - had no idea, thx dini). Could it be as simple as colored pencils? Cat dabbled after reading that; she says she's too heavy-handed and loses the embossing (needs to work on that, sounds like an excellent suggestion).

I added the video to my faves on YouTube; Dini, you cover a lot of questions in the video, and the markers have a vibrant look as we would want for a cartoon. Thx so much.

Do have a question abt the acrylic paints, Angelnorth. They don't warp the card stock? If not, this would be wonderful. Need to give it a try next day off.

Thx again to all. You're wonderful!

[shazsilverwolf]

Binx, glad the suggestion may be useful. I made the suggestion as I tried pencils recently, and got fantastic colouring results, after a long time of not so good ones using Promarkers. A light hand is needed, I agree, and I was using Prismacolours, which are at the better end of the brands, but not ridiculously priced. You can also use Blending solutions, such as Gamsol or Zest-It with them, for even smoother results.

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by binx

Could it be as simple as colored pencils? Cat dabbled after reading that; she says she's too heavy-handed and loses the embossing (needs to work on that, sounds like an excellent suggestion).

Assuming the embossing is some kind of folder arrangement, you could try leaving the paper on the folder while you colour. If the embossing is supported from behind while you use the pencils, you won't be flattening it. Just flip the front of the folder up and leave the paper where it is until you're done colouring. Hope that makes sense!

Quote:

Originally Posted by binx

Do have a question abt the acrylic paints, Angelnorth. They don't warp the card stock? If not, this would be wonderful. Need to give it a try next day off.

Acrylic paints are much less wet than watercolours so have less of a tendency to cause warping. If it looks like your cardstock might warp, try a couple of light coats rather than going for full, dense coverage from the get-go. The first light coat will kind of "seal" the surface of the cardstock so anything else you put on top won't soak moisture into the fibres. If you've every tried to stamp on top of an acrylic painted surface it tends to act much like a non-porous surface would.

[harrahx2]

Dini, that is very cool!!

[jeanne3579]

You could also try watercolor pencils, lightly moistened so the color comes off more easily. If you have watercolor crayons that had a sharp enough tip, you could do the same thing without the water. Good luck. Your project sounds like it will be beautiful. How fun you get to do this with a friend!

[wavejumper]

Sandy Allnock did a bit of water on WC pencil on CS...the trick was a DAMP not wet brush. You might have to go over it more than once. It might warp slightly-she never seems to tape down. That might stop it.

Stamp and Color a Mason Jar (Inktense pencils on Neenah!) | Sandy Allnock


You could get brights from that.

Maybe another choice is if you manually emboss WC paper...you would need a light box and maybe could start it with the EF. If you lightly spray it with water might make it more cooperative? Just guessing.

I have to go watch Dina now...

[contrapat]

While I like the suggestion of leaving the piece in the folder to color, you could also emboss a couple layers of heavy cs, and use them to support the piece being colored. That might give you a more gentle backing than the folder itself. And I'm wondering about good watercolor pencils, coloring and then blending with a barely damp brush. I have Derwent Inktense pencils and they are wonderful!

[lindylou1220]

I haven't studied all the other answers nor checked the tutorial, but have you tried coloring directly onto the embossing folder and then embossing?