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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
July 19, 2023
Q: Micheline asks: "I have a lot of brass stencils from many years ago when they were popular, used with a stylus and light table. Do you have any suggestions on how these can be used with die cutting machines and what sandwich to use?"
A: I know for a while there was a company (Sizzix?) that made them with a type of carrier folder to go through a die cutting machine. I don't think there was a universal folder. You can use the brass stencils in a die cutting machine with a silicone pad - pad down first, then cardstock and the plate on top with whatever sandwich you need to create the correct pressure - the edges of the plate will also imprint though, so you'd need to work that into your design or crop on those lines, and you won't be able to isolate small areas to emboss like you can by hand. Sometimes it's fun to just do a little old school embossing with that stylus and light table!
July 12, 2023
Q: Autumn asks: "What is your favorite Copic color you like to use?"
A: I think the one I use the most is W3 - it's a light warm grey and the one I use most often for shadows and grounding images.
July 5, 2023
Q: Natalie asks: "What is the secret to keeping small pieces in place in a die when you want to emboss them? They keep falling out of the die and then they get out of place and get embossed wrong."
A: I would tape the die in place and do the embossing before cutting. For my machine, I lay down a silicon embossing pad first, then the cardstock with the die taped on top. I run that sandwich through at the correct pressure to emboss the details on the surface of the die, then replace the cutting plates to cut the outline with the die still taped in place.
June 28, 2023
Q: Barb writes: "I sometimes find straight cut edges plain and boring, and was wondering if there are ways I am missing of finishing them more decoratively."
A: I score the edges of my focal panels using a ball stylus and my scoring board. I usually score from the front of the panel, pressing a groove around the edges of the panel. (Click HERE for an example in my gallery.) You can also flip the panel and score from the back side of the panel to create a raised edge. It's a simple solution that adds a little 'something'.
June 21, 2023
Q: Kathy asks: "Would the Two Tone Interference technique work with white gesso on black cardstock?"
A: It should work, as long as you get good coverage with the gesso! The important thing is having contrast on the base layer.
