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Question for all people who use Prismas with Gamsol
I am have some extreme problems getting my colours to blend 'seamlessly' when colouring in backgrounds or larger areas. I never have a problem blending details. Can anyone give me any suggestions on how to get a smoother look? - I do colour with the prismas quite lightly and it still doesnt help. Would it be more helpful if I used a bigger stump, or does that make a difference?
I color with pencil, mostly at edges of image and then put a bit of additional color a bit closer in (not touching the colors). I take the stump with gamsol and run it over the first color to break down the wax and then pull it in little circular motions towards the next color. I re-wet my stump, break down the next color and again blend in with small circular motions. I don't touch the pencil colors together because when I blend the colors will come together.
Or I just color an outer edge with pencil, pull in circulal motion with stump/gamsol and then color in again with a different pencil and repeat.
Are you coloring the whole image in, not leaving white space for blending into? Are you maybe coloring too heavily? I think that a little color goes a long way and you can always add to it so I go lighter and then touch up again if I need to.
Not sure what others do so look forward to hearing some more responses. Good luck with this. Hope you come to love using pencils/gamsol. This yr it has become my favorite way of coloring.
Well, here's my technique. I pick 3 shades of color for a particular spot...a very light, a medium and a dark. Sometimes, it's not even shades of the same color...for instance, if I'm doing foliage, I'll use a chartreuse, a grass green and maybe a dark green that has a blue tinge.
I color with the lightest over most of the area, concentrating especially on the central part. Then I take the darkest and apply color fairly heavily around the edges. With the medium color, I'll apply it between the light and the dark. I don't particularily try to cover all the undercoat because when you look at anything you'll see several shades, so it's helpful if some of the lighter tones show through.
Then I take the stump and start at the edges, sort of pulling the color inward. I do make sure there's no white showing through along the edges. After that, I work inward...blending the dark into the medium and then the medium into the light. Sometimes I have to re-dip the stump if the color isn't moving as I'd like it to.
Personally, I work in circles...sort of rubbing the color around. I'll also add more color here and there if it seems necessary...sometimes you really have to "scrub" at it to get it the way you want it to look.
One thing I have learned is...I never use black. It's too flat looking. You get a much better look if you lay on green, red, blue, purple...colors that are sort of reflective of other colors in the image. I lay it down pretty heavily and then scrub all the colors together.
Another suggestion...the made in Taiwan stumps are softer than the ones made in China and will blend much better as a result. So, if you are using the China ones, this could be part of your problem. I also find the type of paper used makes a huge difference. SU white or vanilla works great for me. HTH!
__________________ Alanna
"It's all fun and games until someone loses an eyelet..." Gallery & Blog
Your paper is a biggie. I use Xpedx Brilliant White and it is really wonderful for doing this technique. I use Creative Mark stumps. They are not as hard as the China ones and not as soft as the Taiwan ones that seem to ball on the tip for me. Here is a picture of a background that I did recently. I chose three colors. I colored the lightest color first........I colored it all the way to the Chicken and her nest. I blended with Gamsol and stumps I then added the next layer of color (the next darker shade), blended. Then added the darkest color and blended. I found that, for me, having that added layer of wax and color helped me to blend it a little easier. I did color really lightly so I wouldn't have heavy lines after blending. Take your time and don't try to rush it. Good results require time.
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__________________ Ann Here is my oily blog! CLICK HERE Certified Copic Instructor - Local ClassesI love cars, stamping and essential oils!
On the House Mouse web site in the technique gallery, they explain in detail just how to use Prisma Colors/Gamsol technique! Also the SCS Technique Gallery has a wonderful tutorial showing just how to get the look you are striving for! Have fun!
I have to echo the comments about the paper. I tried for a long time unsuccessfully until I tried SU whisper white cardstock and it worked wonders!! HTH.
Question for all people who use Prismas with Gamsol
