HELP!!! I am Pastel Challenged!!

[TinaG604]

Ok... I've tried, but for the life of me... I can't figure out how you girls are getting such rich colors from your Pastels. I know after you coat them they do pop in color more, but, I can't seem to get the color ON!

I did one tile using the Q-Tips and because the tile was a bit rough, I think it helped. But... I have a few smoother tiles that I can't get any color to stick to. Do you pick up the chalk piece and color with IT???

I'm so frustrated trying to use my pastels I'm about to give up on them and never use them again. But I just love everything I see done with them.

I want to do some tiles for Christmas and was thinking I'd have to use my pencils and blender pens only on them.

Help... please!!!

[birdbrain]

Using a blender pen to lift and color w/ the pastels will give you a much richer color. However, when you use a blender pen on your pastels only use it on the outside edges of the cake, because the pen can slightly harden it. BTW - I have used the pastels w/ blender pen on the tiles and it works great! HTH!

[Cathy H]

Yeah. What Lisa said.

[Shelley Davis]

I always get great color if I first stamp with clear Versa Mark ink. Have you tried that? I adore my pastels. I use them all the time.
Shelley~

[TinaG604]

You use the Versamark all over the image??? Or just stamp the image IN Versamark?

[bobkitten]

I've read that you pat Versamark in the area where you have the Stazon image, then color with the chalks. I hope it works - now that I've mastered the coloring of tiles with Sharpies, I thought I'd try the pastels! Let us know what works for you.

[otagogirl]

I don't think you are pastel-challenged, but are you using the right tiles?
Patels work great with tumbled tiles, the rougher finish ones you can get.
They won't stay on smooth, glazed tiles.
Stamp with Stazon, and I always use a blender pen to apply the chalks. If the colour comes out a little too transparent, go over it again. Sometimes, I've laid on quite a thick area of chalk to get the colour I want.
Seal with Clear Acrylic Matte Sealer (I use Plaid from WalMart!), and they are done.
I just did a class in these before Christmas, using Frosty, and they loved it!
Sold sets of chalks and blender pens.
Good luck!