Pencils or Chalks

[love2praize]

Just wondering if you prefer chalks or pencils for coloring in stamps (for example the stiple hydrangea)? I'm still experimenting.

[love2stamp]

For the Hydrania stamp I would use my blender pen with my ink pads. I've been in a watercolor mood lately! Have you tried that yet?

But if I had to choose between chalks or pencils I would pick pencils. Again I would use them with my blender pen. Just love those Blender pens!!!

HOH. Happy Stampin, Jennifer :-)

[love2praize]

I'm still new to this - what's a blender pen?

[LisaS25]

I always use pencils/blender pen/ink pad combos... mostly because I hate the feeling of a cu-tip rubbing on paper, lol.

[I-Am-Serendipity]

I love my SU! water color pencils!!!!! You can get 2 different looks from one thing: You can use them as traditional colored pencils, or use a blender pen for a watercolor/paint brush affect. (Blender pens are what SU! sells - they come in a 3 pack with each end of the pen having a blender "point" - just like a marker - but with no color - they are just wet at each end. You use it just like you would a paint brush, but IMHO, with more control.) I love the watercolor pencils!!!! ~Pam

[stampin_melissa]

Love2praize,

Blender pens (page 225) are filled with a clear fluid (double tipped) that picks up color from chalks, water color pencils, ink pads, Pearl-Ex, etc. and then you color like you are water coloring. I just love my blender pens!

HTH!
Melissa

[Sereikastamper]

As much as I love the chalks, I do use my watercolor pencils more because they do color in so well and I am a neatnik sometimes...plus, they are great to demo...you don't have to worry about someone killing your chalks!

[love2praize]

Thanks to all for your opinions. I'm going to have to try the blender pens on my next order. Thanks ladies! Julie Ann

[stampcrazygirl]

I just use a watercolor brush with my ink pads (sometimes I'll use blender pens). But as far as the pencils vs chalks...I prefer the pencils.

[JanTInk]

Depends on the look I'm going for. For a soft and dreamy look, can't beat the pastels. For a more precise look, watercolor pencils with blender pens are my favorite.

As far as applying the pastels...I couldn't tolerate a Q-tip either! I use either the sponge daubers or eye make-up applicators. For fine areas, the little applicators that come with the pastels are just fine.

If you are using your watercolor pencils with water, use a heavier cardstock like confetti white. Ultrasmooth white will pill faster if you apply too much water and friction.

[HeatherJ]

I now love my blender pens too. The first time I used them, I ruined the paper by going over the same area too many times. It started to "pill" and remove the first layer. I was using my pastels. It didn't take long to catch on to how much chalk to pick up on the tip to avoid that.

Couldn't live without them now. I bought another set for the children so I could keep some clean and ready to use. Bless their hearts, they do try to clean them off completely, but it doesn't always happen.

HMJ