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Coloring Tools

Source: Linda

To get stubborn gel pens working again, dip in Undo! It's an adhesive remover and supposedly works on this. Wish I had known about this tip before I threw out a bunch or gel pens that didn't work for me.

Source: Sharon Olson

This is the best one I have discovered in a long time. They tell us to store our markers flat...so...I have saved peanut butter plastic jars for a long time and also those Nestles Quick yellow containers...I have taped 3 of the Quick containers together so they are flat with the opening at the front...yep I put my markers in them by color. I did not have enough room so I taped those peanut butter bottles together, 3 high and 2 across...now all my markers, gel pens, blow pens all of them are stored flat...now for the fun part before I filled them I had my husband take his long reach drill and attach them right to the wall...he just went right inside and screwed them in the wall...perfect, just perfect...

Source: Toby

My tip is another use for the stuff we usually just throw away. I have a large collection of sharpies, markers, gel pens, etc. that are often best stored point down. The only problem is that with many of these it is hard to see the color you are looking for. I find that the covers from CD spindles are wonderful for storing these. they are clear so you can see the colors you are looking for and the ones from 50 or 100 CDs are tall enough for most pens or markers. Some of them even lock closed to the bottom so if they are tall enough for the pens or markers you are storing you can use them to take them out anywhere with you. And don't forget the clear circle that is usually on top of the stack of CDs-you can stamp on it with a permanent ink and color with a translucent paint or ink to make a wonderful suncatcher. Let's all make art from our garbage!!!!

Source: Unknown

Use your blow pens with your brass stencils! Overlap several colors and you'll make a beautiful mosaic!

Source: Unknown

I love to color on vellum with the Sakura pens. It gives such a beautiful look.

I have two ideas or tips for using the new Glaze gel pens by Sakura. I have found that with reasonably moderate size or smaller stamps you can color directly onto the rubber itself and then stamp for 3-d look.

The second tip is to color in a image with the pens and while it is still wet to quickly apply very fine glitter to it. The glitter with stick very well and if set aside to dry for about 10 minutes it will harden and look lovely...try it.

Source: Lisa

I don't know if everyone has had this problem but Krylon pens tend to glop and ruin a perfect card at the very end.

Well instead of using pressure and outlining the project on the table hold your paper in the air and run the pen tip along the edge. This eliminates the extra downward pressure that causes the ink to glob out. I hope this makes sense.

Source: Unknown

Water color crayons are THE best! You can use them to color and then go over with a water brush or moist brush. You can pick color off the crayon with a brush and apply to paper. Or you can color the rubber and then lightly mist and then stamp several times. Each image you stamp becomes lighter and more muted than the one before.
I color the crayons onto my acrylic mount and then use a water brush to pick up or mix the colors and then paint with the brush

I had a smaller set, and I had barely used them when I invested in the biggest set, because that's how much I love them! The color is MUCH richer than with watercolor pencils, and applying them directly to the stamp is one of my favorite ways to use them. Apply to rubber, mist very lightly with water (I have a fine misting bottle that I use), and stamp, and the result is a beautiful watercolor effect. You can mix colors right on the rubber if you want. You can color on paper and then brush it with water, you can make a palette of colors by coloring on something and use a wet brush to pick them up, or you can touch the wet brush directly to the crayon to pick up very rich color. They are the greatest, and as much as I love my watercolor pencils, I love my watercolor crayons more!

If you love using colored pencils to color in images, buy a colorless blender pencil found in craft stores. It works like a charm; not only to blend the colors, but to eliminate those pesky pencil lines.

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Site last updated December 4, 2004