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Okay, I'm the artistically challenged one, I need to know everyone's great tips for using the new aqua painter. I'm thinking the blender pens were much easier.
Location: My very hot stamp room, in Phoenix! It's a dry heat.
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The tips we got at convention (I haven't used my own yet) are to use the right paper. They suggested the confetti white or cream. If you want to get a lighter look, try wetting your paper with it first, and then adding the color. You can scribble with a marker on a stamp case or other non-porous material for a pool of color, or use the lid of your stamp pad, or a drop or two of reinker. Start light. You can add more color, but you can't lighten it if it is too dark. If I think of any others, I will try to pass them on. I loved using it at the make and takes, and I think my card turned out nicely. I am anxious to try it again.
I really like the blender pens with watercolor pencils, but the new waterbrush is just AWESOME with pooled ink from pads, or the reinkers. I've been playing with one I got for my birthday (thanks, Beate!), and really love the soft look it gives you. Awesome with floral sets where you really don't need (or want) precision. On other things where you want to actually stay in the lines. . . .the waterbrush is not very easy to control!
Okay but the paper still gets soggy quickly, and looks like it's going to soak through if I do very much painting. Does that seem normal? I'm not squeezing the pen, honest, just going back to add a little more color in spots.
I don't have an SU one (yet), but the Niji one seems the same way, even the small one. I am just wiping it on the top of my hand to "dry" the brush out a bit before touching the ink pad (I only have cubes until my kit gets here ). That is seeming to work better than it was without drying it a bit...
Hope that helps...
__________________ ~Debbi~
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. ~Author Unknown
In my experience, it takes quite a bit of practice with the brushes to get them not to release too much water. I almost think I prefer a cup of water and a regular watercolor brush! I don't like them with bleach either; if a big blob of bleach leaks out, you have to start your project over.
One think I've found with any method of watercoloring: a good quality watercolor paper works better than any cardstock. You can get the paper really wet without ruining it.
I've been playing with the Aqua Painters a little, and the Shimmery white paper seems to handle the water quite well. I know what you mean, Tracy, about too much water pooling up. I find that I don't even need to squeeze the pen at all. Plenty of water seems to come out on its own! It is clear that if you want more intense color, use the reinkers, and if you want a lighter look, use ink pressed onto a pad cover or scribbles from the markers.
Terri
The paper I like to use when using any water type work is called "Marl paper" on the tag at the stamp shop. I guess that is the brand name. It is an off white colour. It does work great with the watercolour markers so I would expect it would work as well with the aquapainters. I can't wait to try!
I really like the new aquabrush. I usually use cold pressed watercolor paper, but the confetti works well also. I love it with the new Twinkling H2O's, and all you need to do is wipe the brush on a paper towel as you squeeze it slightly, when you want to change to a new color. And I prefer to use the ink from the pad top too when I watercolor with SU inks.
It just takes a little getting used too. My blender pens are now reserved for my chalks. Hope this helps.
Ithink TRStamper is right - it was the shimmery white that was recommended during the aquabrush demonstration at convention. I forgot that. Yet another thing I need to order ... yeah, really need.
Aqua Painter tips
