What Can You Do With Crayola Markers?
By Totally Wendy
I’m not ashamed to admit it: there is a YouTube vlogger I have become quite star-struck by! I really enjoy her blogs but I LOVE her videos. She’s been the source of MANY inspirations in my own humble craft corner. When I saw a video of her using a technique similar to one of my own… I went all “fan girl” with excitement!
Recently, I watched a video of her using Crayola markers for a watercolor effect. This greatly puzzled me; surely someone so accomplished would only use the best (read: expensive) supplies available?! Yet, her finished product was as lovely as any other item I’d seen her produce.
There was no question: I HAD to try the Crayola markers for myself. There were only a few items needed for this experiment, and I already had most of them.
- Watercolor paper
- Watercolor brush pen
- Waterproof ink pad
- Misc. stamps
I found a great deal for a 40-piece set with plenty of colors to choose from. I’m sharing the link HERE because I think it is well worth the price!*
When the markers arrived, I first used them simply as colorful markers.
They are marketed toward people in the Adult Coloring book trend, and those customers would be well satisfied.
You’ll get great, rich colors and the fine tips make them well-suited for coloring books. But, I wanted more out of these markers.
It was time for my watercolor experiment. Using watercolor paper, I drew a simple, straight line with one of the bright markers.
Taking my water-filled brush pen, I traced a light application of water along the length of the line. The brush immediately picked up some of the color and began spreading it along the path of my brush.
With a few brush strokes, I was able to make the original line completely disappear, leaving only the appearance of watercolor paint.
Next, I used one of the markers to ink a photopolymer stamp.
I stamped the design onto the watercolor paper. Using the watercolor brush pen, I picked up color from the stamped lines, and I shaded the flower as I would normally do. Depending on the use of the brush, I found I could leave traces of the original lines, or blur them entirely.
Shading was a little more challenging in this instance, as the lines of the image were completely made up of the water soluble color. It took several tries, but I found I could ‘lift’ the color by blotting my brush frequently, rather than just moving the ink around.
Finally, I tried a photopolymer stamp with a waterproof black ink pad. Using the waterproof ink pad, I knew I would be left with very clear lines from my stamp so the result would not be as soft as traditional water colored images would be.
I used the marker to start the painting process by applying a small amount of color where I wanted the darkest part of the image to be. At the base of a flower petal, I applied a small line of pink. Using the watercolor brush pen, I began working the color out, towards the edge of the petal.
With an occasional blot onto a nearby paper towel, I was able to have the color slowly fade in a perfectly subtle and natural manner.
Understand, I am not a great watercolorist – it is just not a medium I often use. Still, I was quite pleased with the results of this experiment. Without a doubt, I could become more proficient at this given more practice and experience. If you already have an adept hand with watercolor, I think you’ll be quite happy by including these markers in your tool box. If you want an easy and inexpensive way to try your hand at water coloring, THIS is a great way to get started!
Without a doubt, I could become more proficient at this given more practice and experience. If you already have an adept hand with watercolor, I think you’ll be quite happy by including these markers in your tool box. If you want an easy and inexpensive way to try your hand at water coloring, THIS is a great way to get started!
If you already have an adept hand with watercolor, I think you’ll be quite happy by including these markers in your tool box. If you want an easy and inexpensive way to try your hand at water coloring, THIS is a great way to get started!
If you want an easy and inexpensive way to try your hand at water coloring, THIS is a great way to get started!
*Disclaimer: The links in the above post are affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you we will receive a small commission if you decide to purchase through the links. Thank you for your consideration.
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