This year I have a new category of products I want to cover (by request). This includes crafting coloring medium such as pens, markers, watercolors, colored pencils, etc. These are the coloring mediums I use and recommend.
Let’s start with the White Pen – We all need and use a white pen when crafting right? This is my favorite:
Uni-Ball Impact Bold Point 1mm Gel Pen Open Stock White – This pen writes bright white and smooth. It flows freely and I have had good experience with this particular white gel pen. I highly recommend it.
Copic Multiliner Brush Pen – I use this brush marker for coloring the the outline of stamped and cut images. It has a brush tip so it makes it perfect for getting into little tiny corners and crevices. You can also fill in any stamped image that didn’t stamp cleanly or completely. It is waterproof and archival and safe for copic coloring.
Primsacolor Colored Pencils – I love these pencils. I started out with another brand that was waxy and difficult to color with. These are so much better. They color soft and smooth and are just fun to color and blend with. I bought the set of 48, but you can also buy them in the following sets:
When coloring with colored pencils I use these tools:
Stad T’Gaal Pencil Sharpener – Light Blue – With this pencil sharpener, you can adjust the length and angle of the core. Awesome for colored pencils!
When I need to erase something on a more detailed project or on a smaller image, I use this Faber Castell Perfection Eraser Pencil with Brush. It works great!
Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits Kit – To blend my colored pencils, I use Gamsol which comes in a kit. The kit includes:
- One 2 oz artist-grade bottle of odorless mineral spirits in a convenient sponge-top dabber bottle
- Two blending Stumps
- One Sandpaper Pad
Copic Markers – While copic markers are a definite investment in this hobby, there is no other marker that even comes close to the quality. I LOVE my copic markers and will never regret buying them. I bought a few here and there over the years to build up my collection, I did NOT buy them all at once. I have several blog posts on copic markers, explaining them and the differences between ciao and sketch, etc. Here are some links for you.
- Copic Marker FAQ’s for Beginners Part 1 & Kat’s Favorite Copic Color Combinations
- COPIC FAQ Part 2: What is the Best Cardstock to Use with Copic Markers?
- Copic FAQ Part 3: What Inks Can Be Used With Copic Markers?
- Copic Marker Storage: How I store my Copic Markers
Zig Clean Color Real Brush Watercolor Markers – These are the MOST FUN watercolor markers ever! You can use them as is for a more concentrated appearance, or you can use them with water to get a more watercolor look. I absolutely love coloring with these!
Peerless Watercolors – These are very concentrated watercolors that come on a sheet of material like a thick paper. You wet your brush and touch it to the paper and it transfers the color to your project. MUCH less messy than traditional watercolors! I LOVE these! Here is a video showing how I made my storage album and swatch sheet.
Watercolor Paper: When watercoloring or using the Zig Markers, I use Canson Watercolor Cardstock or Strathmore Bristol Smooth Cardstock.
Watercolor Brushes: When I watercolor with either markers or Peerless Watercolors I always use one of these three water brushes.
Zig Detailer Watercolor Brush – This is the BEST Watercolor Brush I’ve ever used. With some watercolor brushes, too much water comes out and makes a mess. That doesn’t’ happen with this brush!
Ranger Watercolor Brush – Detailer Tip – Another great watercolor brush. This one has a detailed tip so that you can paint fine lines or get into small areas. This is my other favorite.
Ranger Waterolor Brush – Broad Tip – I love this brush for painting larger areas or backgrounds. The broad tip rocks!
All of the products mentioned on this page are listed and linked below for your convenience. If you have any questions about anything on this page, please leave a comment or contact me and I’ll get back to you asap.
Kat,you have excellent ideas and references to some product I’ve never even seen before.I’m gonna keep searching my New found go to for insight.