what am i doing wrong with this gamsol?
 

I JUST got my new 48 pack of prismapencils, to go with my gamsol. But when I outline my image with my pencil and then use the gamsol, the outline is still really harsh looking.. How do you get it more blended? I hope this makes sense. Its like you can still see my line that I drew? And are you suppose to leave the middle without any color? I have a tendency to color the whole image, then it looks like i might as well just use markers. What is the secret? I have looked at the tutorial, and see so many samples of this techinque that I LOVE, but just can't seem to get it right.

Thanks

I just keep going in circles until I get the look I want. I also "refill" my blender stump when it starts to not fade anymore, KWIM? It took some practice and I definitely didn't get it right the first time! It won't be long before you know how much pencil to put on the outline and how to work the stump!!

are you using blending stumps, or are you just painting the gamisol on? i haven't done this technique, but i've heard about it and i believe you're supposed to blend with a blending stump, which would lead me to believe you also should exert a little pressure while blending. also, i've heard gamisol dries fast? maybe you need to apply a little more because it's drying up on you?

yes I am using the stumps, just not getting the look i want, the line i do with my pencil seems so harsh, just keep practicing I guess...

I was having problems when I first started. After discussions with some ladies here, it turns out the cardstock I was using was not good enough. I went out to my local paper store and bought some really smooth-finished cardstock (Hammermill in this case) and now it works better. So for me, the secret was the paper.

I agree with Alycia, try a circular motion instead of coloring in with lines. That should help your colors blend more smoothly.

Here's a little tip that I promise will help. Get a can of Matte Spray sealer (it's sold with the spray on varnishes in the craft section of wal mart, HL and Michaels. I use Krylon brand Matte Spray.

1. Stamp your image.
2. Shake the can of Matte Spray for at least 30 seconds.
3. Hold your paper at least 10-12 inches from the can and spray your image for 1 to 2 seconds. If it's a really cheap paper, let it dry for about 10 seconds or so then blast it again for just a second or 2. It will dry almost instantly.
4. Now you can color your image - and use gamsol, acquapainters, watercolor brushes, blender pens, etc.

This will lightly coat your paper so that it won't "grab" your color and your colors will blend so much easier. Your outlined color will pull into the center of your image easily.

It also helps so that the paper doesn't absorb the water as fast and won't warp and "pill" as easily.

I use this with every watercolor technique and it really helps with the blending.

I post this tip about every 6 months or so - I hope people don't think I'm a broken record, but I swear by my Matte Spray and know it will help anyone who is frustrated with any watercolor technique.

(And I see a lot of frustrated watercolorers here on SCS!)

I use gamsol a lot and you definately need to use good paper. My pencils are not kept at a sharp point - dull points let me put down a thicker line. You need to have a good layer of pencil because you need for the gamsol to melt the wax. When blending I use a circular motion and I sand the stump when it gets too much wax. HTH

Make sure that you aren't drawing dark lines with the pencils. I tend to lay down a light layer of color, blend with Gamsol, add more color and blend.

That's exactly what I do too. Start light and then add on if needed. I never press down on the pencil because they are so smooth and soft already. "A little dab will do ya!" You can always add more if necessary. These are not like the colored pencils that I had when I was growing up - all hard and had to keep sharpening them and then the tips would break off and they only left soft colors. Prisma's are artist quality colored pencils, which is why you can do the Gamsol technique with them. For as much pressure you apply the pencil to paper, I expect at LEAST .25 of an inch to be spread out once I've gone over it with the Gamsol. So if you don't have a large background to cover - start lightly and add from there. They are much more 'solid' than watercolor pencils which you just have to give a swish of your brush/blending pencils and it's gone.

I lOvE my Prismas (well, actually my Mom's Prisma's -she is a quilter and uses them to design her quilts-but she shares!). HERE is my most favorite card using P&G!

If you do a search in the forums there is a LOT of great advice to be found!!

Be sure to post back to this conversation with your creation!!! ;)

I find it so interesting how differently we all get to the same place. I actually do draw a heavy line not a pencil thin line. I learned from the instructions from inky antics and a class and I never have to worry about getting out a pencil line because I don't have one. Here is the link from Inky Antics which is the same that came with my bottle of gamsol.

http://www.inkyantics.com/pdfs/GamBlend.pdf

Like Pam said - there is a lot of info on SCS and I'm sure you'll find the one that works for you. :)

I use the mat sealer too. It makes doing this technique a breeze. It is one of my favorite techniques.

I'll have to try the matte sealer. Never heard of it before. TFS:)

subscribing

I love this technique, but have to admit I don't do it often. I am another one that used to have trouble getting rid of that "hard" line look. Now I do a softer, lighter layer around the edge. I find that some colors just seem to blend better for me, dark blues work wonderfully, some others, not so much. CRAZY, I know. I have some of this matte finish spray and I am going to give it a try, HOPE it works for me!

I just tried spraying with mat sealer. Then I used baby oil to blend. It worked beautifully and there was absolutely no bleed through on the back. This is becoming one of my favorite techniques.

subscribing

I had trouble with this technique until I found the right paper. Experiment with different papers---Papertrey white works great, Georgia Pacific cardstock from Walmart or Sam's works too.

I do a heavy line too. I think it just comes down to your own technique and way of doing things. Some like heavy lines, other lighter lines; some go in circles, others outline over and over. All of these work for their users and you have to find what works for you too! But I think this part is half the fun! :D

GAMSOL & SEALER QUESTION ??
 

I was just curious with this as I've NEVER done it (yet)...but if you spray cardstock with the sealer, should you stamp your image with like a...STAZON type ink?? or doesn't it matter. Not familiar with all the different types of ink yet, but I would worry that when spray hit the inked image, it would do something?? to the image outline?? (is that what you mean by NO bleeding??)

Is there a product (or brand) that can be used INDOORS safely...with the windows open of course. (Don't want to have TOO good a time now...) KIDDING!!!

THANKS so much for this tip!!

It has everything to do with your paper and the stumps that you use. Even with great paper, I had problems when I was using the 'made in china' stumps as they weren't absorbing enough of the gamsol to blend the pencil. I also use XpedX Brilliant White 80lb and it is awesome for this technique. I normally use Black Stazon and have never had any problem with the Stazon and my paper combo with any type of bleeding.

I've never had to use matte sealer and think that if you have paper that is good, you wouldn't really need it. Less is more....KWIM?

As for the heavy or light lines......depends on the color depth I want and the type of image I'm working on....I do agree that layers is the way to go. You have to think like a watercolorer. You start light and add more color as you go since you can't take it off (well, technically I guess you can, with an eraser)!

The nice thing about using the matte spray is that you can use most any ink, I think. The matte spray seals the ink so it won't run. I love to stamp with a light gray (SU's old going gray) for a very delicate look. Also Navy and Brown inks have good looks, too.

I have never had the spray do anything to the stamped image except seal it. But be sure to hold your paper a good distance from the spray or you end up with a big splotch that will take a while to dry.

I vaguely remember seeing a low odor matte spray somewhere, but because a can will literally last for a very long time, I didn't pick it up. I do stamp with a lady who LOVES the smell of the matte spray and will spray it indoors on purpose. I just step outside for a second.

does it work with the prismacolor verithin pencils or did I buy the wrong ones? Also, does it work well on watercolor paper. I just made a smudgy mess that looked nothing the beautiful things I 've seen others do.

I've not used the verithin pencils before.......they are different but I'm not sure how. As to the watercolor paper.....I can't see it working well since it would absorb too much of the gamsol.

That's TOO funny about the gal who LOVES the smell of the gamsol...and that you just step outside for a second. But hey, to each his own I guess :)

I LOVE pickle juice just straight out of the jar and people think I'm a REAL wack job...I just open the jar, take a "SWIG" and mmgood!!!

Going to give the gamsol a try...hoping it will help me with the shading effect that I have such difficulty doing to get it look "natural"...

Everyone have a great week! Stay out of the pickle juice!! LOL....Cya..Jo

verithin are a harder lead and does not work as well with gamsol. soft lead, "prismacolor premier" melts as you work with it. When I do this tech. which is often, it melts in seconds as I color, I also use q-tips for larger areas which works great also.

I LOVE pickle juice just straight out of the jar and people think I'm a REAL wack job...I just open the jar, take a "SWIG" and mmgood!!! Cya..Jo[/QUOTE]

Me too! Me too!! My Mom really didn't mind as long as I waited til all the pickles were gone. You know I did! :twisted:
May God bless, Sandi

Do you buy the matte spray at any hobby store, like Hobby Lobby or Michaels?

Well I have used Oderless Mineral Spirits and Baby Oil now - my preference is Baby Oil and there was a thread on here last night about someone using Goo Gone (I think I have that right) so if I ever have that I might use it...

I like the hint about the matte spray.

gamsol
 

gamsol works really well with blending stumps, but you do need to use matte coate paper. matte coate paper allows for blending. regular card stock absorbs too quickly. you should be able to buy matte coate paper at a paper supplier, specialty scrapbooking store, or maybe even an office supply store. I buy mine by the ream from a paper store called Anchor Paper.

I really like this technique. I use regular plain white cardstock from Michaels and my crayola pencil crayons. The colours blended very nicely and my paper doesn't pill. Oh yeah, I also use the stumps everyone says are no good - the one's from China - and I don't have any problems with them at all.

I've found that the regular card stock from Papertrey Ink works just fine. (It's not coated.) http://papertreyink.com/pb_paper.html

Kimberly

I have used regular CS for several years and have no problem at all. I use XpedX Brilliant White and it is wonderful. I wouldn't think that the matte coate would really be best as it doesn't really have hardly any tooth to hold the color. The matte coate that I have is super smooth and just awful for coloring. Almost everything that is colored in my gallery is using my regular CS!

Does SU whisper white work well?

matte spray
 

I have a question about the matte spray...........
I went to Walmart and couldn't find the Krylon matte spray, but I did see
Plaid's Clear Acrylic sealer ... matte finish .. my wuestion is this the same thing as the Krylon spray? or do I need to wait and go to Lowe's for it?

Estelle

I have always used gamsol, but did try the goo-gone, hated it :). Why? it washes out the color. Just my Opinion .

Yes

I think I read somewhere on SCS that some people are also using UNDO the stuff you take adhesive off with and apparently it works great....

I haven't had good luck finding the matte spray at WalMart, but once in awhile it is there.

I usually pick it up at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.

Two ideas that I would like to know more about: Making paper sachets with rubber stamping techniques and flower seeds in cards. Has anyone dealt with either technique? Thanks much, Johanna