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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
August 30, 2017
Q: Emma wants to know: "I want to do some experimenting with paints on my cards, mainly as background and with stencils. What brands and types of paint work best?"
A: I'm a big fan of the craft paints you can find at any big box store. They are inexpensive, and easy to find in a wide range of colors. They have a good flow to them, and mix well with other colors - they are also easily diluted into washes or sprays. They work really well for gel printing and brayering. We have lots of ideas for painty backgrounds in our resources section - try Acrylic Resist, Acrylic Batik, or Faux Tin Tiles for starters!
August 23, 2017
Q: Carol writes: "I would like the dimensions for a notecard sized Twisted Pop-Up Card (3 1/2" x 5")."
A: That's such a fun size! If you make 5" square cards, this is the perfect little 'leftover'. To make the smaller size pop-up card, you can follow our site tutorial HERE with the following changes:
In Step 1, cut the card base to 3 1/2" x 10".
In Step 9, cut the layering panels to 3 1/4" x 4 3/4". Mark at 1 5/8" for the diagonal cuts.
In Step 10, cut the focal piece to 3" x 11".
In Step 12, cut the layering panels to 2 1/2" x 2 3/4".
Everything else is the same!
In Step 1, cut the card base to 3 1/2" x 10".
In Step 9, cut the layering panels to 3 1/4" x 4 3/4". Mark at 1 5/8" for the diagonal cuts.
In Step 10, cut the focal piece to 3" x 11".
In Step 12, cut the layering panels to 2 1/2" x 2 3/4".
Everything else is the same!
August 16, 2017
Q: Kelli asks: "I was browsing the gallery and found a BEAUTIFUL card with a colored image on black cardstock. For technique, it lists pencils over ink. How do you do this?"
A: Coloring on dark cardstock is so dramatic! A tip for really vibrant pencil color is to have a white base beneath it. For a solid stamp, use white dye or pigment ink. If you're using a line art stamp, you can fill in the outline with white craft ink (applied with a brush or blending applicator), watered down acrylic paint, or even clear gesso before coloring. You can find more tips and instructions in our Black Magic tutorial.
August 9, 2017
Q: Maryanne wants to know: "Can you use a regular sewing machine to sew on cardstock?"
A: I do! One thing to note is that paper will dull your needle very quickly. You may want to designate a needle as your 'paper needle' and switch it out when you're sewing on fabric. I mark my paper needle with a permanent marker on the flattened front of the base so it's easy to identify (purple for paper!). Remember that the size of the needle will determine the size of the holes in your cardstock too, so choose one that's fine. Click HERE for some great tips for sewing on cards.
August 2, 2017
Q: Wendy wants to know: "Are all regular watercolor pencils the same?"
A: They're not. As with any art supplies, you'll find a difference in quality from scholastic to student to professional or artist grade pencils. The primary difference is the ratio of pigment to binder - the higher the pencil grade, the more pigment. The result of a higher pigment load is a more vibrant wash when the pencils are activated with water. Lesser quality pencils with a higher percentage of water-soluble binder will be more dull when activated. Results will also vary by brand. Some pencils will also have a creamier consistency when blended. Some specialty pencils, like Inktense, dry permanently after being activated with water, which makes them excellent for mixed media and layering techniques. Of the watercolor pencil brands I've tried, my favorites are Faber Castell's Albrecht Durer pencils, followed by Derwent's watercolor pencils, Inktense products, and Graphitint.
