Is Gamsol necessary?

[Miabel]

Hello everyone,

I have a question about using Gamsol. I watched the video clip using the Prisma colors here:


http://www.prismacolor.com/sanford/c...prodDemo.jhtml


I noticed that the artist on the clip just used regular alcohol and what looks like a Q-Tip. Is it necessary to use Gamsol or can I use just regular alcohol on my cards? I am sure the smell wouldn't stay, right? LOL

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Peace,
Isabel

[nmslmomto3]

very interesting video..love to hear more from others. I know some use baby oil as a blending medium too

[bnlnkids]

The alcohol used by that artists is artist grade (almost pure) alcohol... like 90%!!! Difficult to find and smells absolutely wretched! I'd stick with my *odorless* MS instead... be that Gamsol, Mona Lisa, or what have you. Hope this is helpful.

[Joelyn]

I was out of gamsol and used some floor wax. I put the floor wax in a tiny clear cap that comes on the top of my water bottle. LOL and then I dipped a blender stick in the wax and it blended so pretty and gave a shine to the picture too. I know it sounds funny but it works.

[Betty_S_K]

I got my 91% alcohal at Wally world(Wal mart)

Betty

[BearingFruit]

The difference between gamsol and alcohol.

Gamsol - smooth blending of color

alcohol - grainier effect

each has a purpose, but I like the Gamsol better.

Blessings,
Pam

[berlycece]

I had to check out this post...
I've seen references to Gamsol several times, but never knew what it wwas!

A mixing agent? How do you use it?

[Miabel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by berlycece

I had to check out this post...
I've seen references to Gamsol several times, but never knew what it wwas!

A mixing agent? How do you use it?

Odorless Mineral Spirits (right, everyone?). If you watch the video on the Prismacolor colored pencils (they say that about 20 times..lol), then you will see the artist use the colored pencils, then dip a cotton swab in alcohol (which a lot of people use the brand name Gamesol so that it won't smell). He then "blends" the colors so that you won't see the "lines" from the coloring and makes it a more professional look.

I am learning myself so I hope I got all of this right!

Peace,
Isabel

[Miabel]

Thanks everyone for your help! I already had the floor wax to use with Pearl Ex so I might try it with the pencils also!!!

If using regular alcohol makes it grainier, then I'll get the MS!

Peace,
Isabel

[chermikmom]

When I bought the prisma pencils, I also saw that there was another "pencil" a blending one, it's clear, kinda looks like an eraser, works really well too!

[chermikmom]

In the same link as the first link, I found these pencils, they are called:

Prismacolor Premier
Colorless Blender Colored Pencils

Quote:

Originally Posted by chermikmom

When I bought the prisma pencils, I also saw that there was another "pencil" a blending one, it's clear, kinda looks like an eraser, works really well too!

[scrapbooker46]

Where are you buying gamsol? I have looked at Ac moore, michaels, and our local art store...cannot find....thanks..Patty

[ececsy]

I got mine at dick blick.. they have an online store as well.

[Tavias Charms]

i have also been going crazy trying to find Gamesol, or OMS by mona lisa. I guess it's the online store for me. I also saw on another thread somewhere that target is now carrying prismacolor pencils. i'll have to go check that one out real soon. Thanks, lorraine

[stamps&cars]

Mona Lisa OMS is at Michaels.....has a picture of mona on the front. Art Media on the west coast has Gamsol (which is a trade name from the Gamblin company). Dick blick sells gamsol too. It is artist grade and the exposure rating is better on it than paint grade OMS. That can that you can get from Dick will last you FOREVER!! Go together with a friend and split it!