How to use pastels properly
 

Hi,

I tried using pastels in my butterfly..but colour was so light that it never showed only..!!

Tell me am I using them properly..wat is the exact technique to use them..??

Please check the picture below:
http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...&ppuser=100071

SHivani

Hi Shivani....
I looked at the butterfly box. It is very cute. But, I'm not sure what part you used the pastels on. And if you could describe, how you used them it would help use to help you.

Yes, we would really need to know what you used to apply the pastels in order to figure out what happened :p

I used it on wings..of butterfly..then used stickles to decorate it..since those pastels were not at all visible on the wings

Wenver I use to dab the cotton on the pastel..& then on the sheet..it juz flies away..coz the pastel are so powdery..!!

I used stumb..sumthing as small pencils kind of thing...to mix the colours

bump

I don't know if I have been doing it right, but I alway use versa mark or something like that with the stamp then dab the pastels on top of it. It can be light if I don't put much on the applicator. I also have a blender pen that I use when I want to color with the pastels.

I hope that helps a little.

Kate

Shivani, I know what you mean... the pastels do get a bit "fly away" when they are used just by themselves. If you use a cotton ball, you need to really rub lots on the pastel square to get lots of the chalk on your cotton ball. As well, the pastels will just rub off the card if you don't seal them in some way. I spray a light bit of hairspray over the card when I'm done with the pastels and that keeps it all in place.

I really like to stamp an image with VersaMark and then using a cotton ball, lightly dab some of the pastels over the versamark spots. It sticks to the Versamark but not the other parts of the card and the pastels get "darker" because of the sticky pastels.

Here is a card that uses just pastels -- brocade blue and a homemade cloud template. When I was done making the background, I sprayed it with hairspray and then added the butterflies:
http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...0&ppuser=90421

And on this card, I used the Versamark stampad and directly put some versamark ink on the square on the left, then I used the tempting turquoise pastel on the corners (put on with a cotton ball) and then white in the middle. Then the flower was stamped in the middle.

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...0&ppuser=90421

This card was also done using the Versamark:

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...0&ppuser=90421

YOu can see how much more vibrant the colors are when you use the Versamark... but, if you are looking for a soft look (like clouds) the pastels alone with a clear sealant is beautiful too!

Play around with them -- they are a lot of fun!!

You could try watercoloring with your pastels. Just use an aquapainter or a paint brush. This will give a darker effect. Also you can stamp with versamark ink and apply pastels over it, this really gives the chalk something to grab on to. I personally don't like to use cotton balls or q-tips, like you mentioned I find the chalk just flies all over the place. There is a tool made for using pastels I think it is called Pazzels or something like that. It looks like a handle with a small clothespin type clip on the end. You use mini pompom type things with it. I find this picks up and puts down color better than cotton. Hope this helps a little.

I use the blender pens from SU. They work Great. Cut n' dry brush tip pen nibs work well also you can find them in packs of 10 at your LSS.

I must say..those cards were gorgeous...specially the clouds n butterflies one..!!
Wow..!!

Glad you liked them... now go give it a try :-)

surely today itself I'll try it out..n load at night

we'll all be watching :-)
Happy stampin'