Coloured pencil blending markers are a little bit magic

[pyraxis]

As requested, I made a version of the Karn forest garden with colour. It came out a lot more fairytale-like than I was envisioning. I think part of that is just the nature of coloured pencils. I only have access to an old scanner at the moment as well, so a little of the subtlety of colour was lost.

Comments

[spacerobotcrew]

Ooh, that is neat. Very subtle and glowy-looking.

What are coloured pencil blending markers?

[pyraxis]

These wonderful things: http://www.globalartmaterials.com/finesse.php

Not sure if that's the same brand, but it's a similar idea: using an alcohol-based solution to blend the wax.

[silk_dragon_zen]

Alas, the reviews for the Finesse blender pen on Amazon are abysmal, whereas a similar product from Prismacolor has much better reviews (though still some bad reviews).

Also, there's a completely different type of product that can achieve a similar effect: Prismacolor also sells wax blender pencils as does Derwent, both with comparatively excellent reviews.

[pyraxis]

Very interesting. I'm not sure if that's the brand I had, I just googled for pictures that looked vaguely similar.

I ran through two of them, colouring just about every surface of that 9x12 picture, but neither one was new, and I don't remember how much they'd been used before. Nevermind, when I buy more to replace them, I'll get the Prismacolor. If I can find it in Canada, that is. I actually have one of those wax blender pencils already, but I haven't gotten as vivid results as I got with the marker.

[silk_dragon_zen]

I've got one of those blender pencils that came with an old set I've had for something like 20 years, and I don't think I've ever tried it. I'll have to try it out to see how it works, once I finally get back to drawing.

[pyraxis]

I didn't know you liked drawing. What kind of stuff do you draw?

[silk_dragon_zen]

Well, that's just it: I haven't drawn anything for years*. And I'm neither accomplished, nor well practiced. I really need to get glasses that correct for astigmatism that are also meant for reading/drawing. But even after getting such glasses, I'll still have the problem of poor hand-eye coordination. Still, it would be fun to get back into drawing just for the fun of creating colorful fun pieces, even if they lack either technique nor any artistic merit.

(*Okay I lied: it's only been a few months — I drew a protest sign that people liked a bunch — but before that it had been years.)

[pyraxis]

I'm a big fan of drawing for fun.

Do you like to draw bigger in order to correct for the visual issues?

[silk_dragon_zen]

Actually, no. My hands tire easily, so drawing smaller is physically easier, hence the need for new glasses.

[silk_dragon_zen]

My this is beautiful!! ♡

[pyraxis]

Thank you!