Pastels on Black

by Beate Johns

Learn how to make images pop on black cardstock with pastel pencils.

Supplies

Outline Stamps (Verve's Great Friend used here)

Embossing ink

Silver or white embossing powder

Heat gun

PITT Pastel Pencil

White Gelato Pen optional

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Stamp images on black cardstock with Embossing ink.
Step 2

Pour embossing powder over over the cardstock.
Tap off excess powder.
Step 3

Heat the powder
until all powder is melted.
Step 4

Add color with a pastel pencil to the image.
Rub slightly over it with your finger to blend your base color.
Step 5

Add more detail with a light colored pencil.
Then add some more color with a slightly darker pencil.
Step 6

Continue to color all the images.
Step 7

Color the edges of your cardstock with a white gelato.
Rub the gelato towards the inside of the cardstock with your finger or with a baby wipe to add a soft white edge.
Step 8

Finish your project.

Video!

Variations

Try other pencil types.

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Pastels on Black. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

I have an embarrassing question--what is grunge paper? Everything I researched suggested it is a "look" (grungy and old) but I have a feeling it is also a texture thing--can somebody help me understand what exactly it is?

Tina | Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 2:19 PM

would these gelato work the same as acrylic crayons?

Pam | Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 2:22 PM

Very pretty and some great techniques and interesting products.

Karen L K | Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 2:53 PM

Hi thanks for another brilliant tutorial. I was just wondering if there are any other products you can substitute for the Faber-Castell Gelato as this does not appear to be available in New Zealand. Many thanks

Sophie | Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 5:07 PM

Sophie, try to find water soluble oil pastels. I have Portfolio brand and they have similar properties to what F-C says about the Gelato pens.

Charmaine | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 12:54 AM

Tina, Grungeboard is a compressed, flexible sheet of dingy material that can be painted, inked, sanded, hammered, die-cut or grunged. Grungepaper is a thinner version with all the same properties. It sort of looks like chipboard but is very sturdy and flexible.

Charmaine | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 12:57 AM

Tina and Anita brought up the question that I had, too. If you use your finger to smear the first layer of chalk, what prevents the additional layers of pencil from smearing? Also, what is the brand of the chalk pencils. They are new to me. Thanks Beate for all your wonderful video tutorials. I learn best by watching a video and then going back to the step by step written instructions. Keep up the good work!

Janet Nelson | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 6:06 AM

This looks fun and I will try it soon.

Pansy | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 10:02 AM

Tina, Anita and Janet. I didn't set my chalk. While some of it might rub off a bit, I don't think it will rub off enough to mess it up unless the recipient rubs his/her finger over the chalk quite strongly. I never set my chalk. I don't like the smell of sealants.

If you want to try, make sure you spray from far away so only a subtle coding hits the chalk. If it's too strong, it might affect your image as well (like a blender pen or water would. Does that make sense?)

The pencils I used are from Faber-Castell.

beate | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 10:52 AM

where can I find thoes chalk pencils? can't wait to try this out! thanks for sharing!!! *denise*

denise | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM

I love this, Beate...and had to order more pencils so I can give it a try.

♥

Rose Ann | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 4:23 PM

Hi Denise! Here is a link to the product review, and there are links for where you can buy them over on the right hand side of the page.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/products/designmemorycraft/

lydia | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 4:46 PM

Thanks Beate for a great tutorial. Love the look of the chalk pencils - another product for my crafting list!!!

Kerri T. | Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 4:57 PM

Love this technique. Very versatile. I will try it this weekend.

Noemi | Fri Feb 17, 2012 at 11:24 AM

good look. very similar to the black magic that is heat embossed with white pigment ink. thanks for sharing. I would love to see a tutorial on the cascading cards that I see in the gallery - found it on youtube, but videos are better on scs.com

Ginny | Fri Feb 17, 2012 at 8:54 PM

Beate, I just love your videos. I have learnt so much from you. I have known about this technique, but have not tried it yet. But with your video I WILL be doing it. Many, many thanks

Jan | Sat Feb 18, 2012 at 11:22 PM

I like this look

Barb Wallace | Sun Feb 19, 2012 at 6:58 AM

Loved this card. Will try it. Thanks.

Bonnie K | Mon Feb 20, 2012 at 11:05 AM

Beautiful look! I made a card right away and used the upload button above, used the title, Pastels on black, also put it in the keyword list, but my card has appeared in the Pastels on Black gallery.

Kathleen Chabot | Wed Feb 22, 2012 at 12:41 PM

This is so pretty, Beatte! Thank you for sharing the technique.
I'm wondering, though, if the chalk pencils are easily smudged or rubbed off once the card is finished?
Thanks.

faith | Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 11:15 AM

Page 2 of 3 pages < 1 2 3 >

Pastels on Black

by Beate Johns

Supplies

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Video!

Variations

Your Turn

Questions and Comments

The Author

Products used here

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