A: Distress inks are dye-based inks that are formulated to dry slowly for blending and other techniques. They also will hold their original color when blended out with water, but true to their goal of a distressed look they will dry with a slightly mottled texture. They will lift, feather, and spot more easily with the application of water. Regular dye inks soak into paper and dry more quickly, so while they will react with water, the effect is usually less dramatic. Some dye inks will also break down into their component colors when combined with water. We have a tutorial on watercoloring with dye-based inks
HERE! While dye and Distress inks are transparent, pigment-based watercolor crayons are more creamy and opaque, and contain a binder (usually wax) to hold their pigments together in a molded shape. You can use a watercolor crayon to color directly onto your project before blending out with water, or lift pigment from the crayon with a wet brush.
Q: Jackie asks: "What is the difference between using Distress and regular dye inks, or using watercolor crayons?"
