Color Stamped Image

There are many ways of coloring your stamped image, ranging from using markers, water colored pencils, water color, color pencils, crayons, water-based pigment Ink and chalk.

I will discuss these methods as they are more versatile and the effect is really fabulous on cards.

Chalk Markers Water based pigment ink Water soluble crayons

Chalk

Chalks are easy to use, versatile and the effect is usually very pastel look although a deeper color can be achieved by dusting darker shade or applying multiple layer of chalk.

There are several ways of applying chalk to color stamped image. Using a cotton wool tipped swabs, small sponge tipped applicators or using a special applicator to hold on small cotton wool pompoms. Most of the chalks comes with more than one applicator and refills are readily available or you can even use Q-tip or eye shadow applicator too!

Application is simple, dab the applicator on the chalk and directly transfer the chalk over to the stamped image, blend the colors to get a muted look.

Chalks can also be applied using a paint brush with water. The effect is slightly darker and less muted in shade compared to applying dry chalk. This method is simple, wet the brush and dab brush over chalk to pick up some color. Transfer it on the stamped image and paint as normally.

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Markers

Markers with fiber tips delivers ink in a consistent manner. If you work with markers with flexible tip, you can alter the thickness by varying the pressure you add while painting. For markers with two dual tips, usually one fine while the other is thicker, they are the most suitable for coloring craft projects with a more detailed work as shown on the left (LePlume II).

There are some other dual tips markers that are of equal thickness in the brush. One side carries the pigment ink while the other is the tint. This allows very good blending of colors. One of the most common brand that offers very good coloring for detailed projects is the Zig Brushables as show below. Back to Top.

Water Based Pigment Ink

If you have a collection of water based pigment ink pads, this is a great way to leverage on the available supplies, provided you have a good range of colors to play around with. Simply use a non-porous surface like aluminium foil, stamp you water based pigment ink pads on the foil.

Basically, work on the colors on the foil by mixing with different colors and water (to control the shade). The foil with the stamped water based pigment ink works like your palette for playing and mixing the shades to color stamped image.

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Water Soluble Crayons

Color stamped images using crayons create a much richer and vibrant tone. Water-soluble crayons provides versatility between drawing, shading and painting once water is introduced. There are several ways of applying the colors to the image. You can wet the brush and dab it directly on the crayon to pick up the color. Alternative, color the crayon on

a plastic palette and use the wet brush to pick the colors from the palette.



This will be demonstrated in this section's video on "How to do Stamping".

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My Personal Preference

I paint with chalk, water soluble crayons and markers. Chalk gives a soft hue and it's great for creating a nice misty effect round the corners of the image to blend together with the rest of the background. For images, I enjoy using water soluble crayons as it blends well with different tones with a fine brush. The only tip is to make sure that the brush is not too wet or the color may just smudge beyond the print, especially for very small areas. So this is where the markers come in handy to touch up those small areas, provided the color matches. Depending on the quality of the paper used for stamping, using water soluble crayons with water and brush, and markers, may wear out the paper. So, it is important not to color over an area over and over again. WATCH THIS VIDEO, "HOW TO DO STAMPING" TO LEARN BASIC RUBBER STAMPING AND COLOR STAMPED IMAGE USING CRAYONS, CHALK AND MARKERS.

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Quick Reference for Basic Stamping

Basic Stamping Main Page Types of Stamps Types of Inkpads Embossing Caring for your Craft Supplies Coloring How to do Stamping Move to Advanced Stamping

Use the above quick reference to browse through the different sections by clicking on the light bulb.