Blending Tools
Blender Pens & Pencils
These products are so invaluable in your art practice which begs the question:
What are they?
And how do we use them?
Well as the name suggests, they are used for blending.
If like me, you've been frustrated that your artwork is streaky and your colours just don't lay evenly on the paper, blenders will become your best friends.
But as there are several different types, let's look at them one by one.
For Use With Alcohol Based Marker Pens
Who else here loves working with marker pens?
I know I do!
But let's be real, some of them, especially those cheaper felt tip pens from our childhood, can get pretty streaky once they start to dry out. Not cool, right?
Well, have no fear, because I've got a solution for you - the blender pen! It's like magic in a marker. This dual tip marker is filled with a clear, alcohol-based blending fluid that can smooth out those streaky marks and give you a nice, even finish.
Some popular brands to check out are Winsor & Newton Promarker pens, Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Blending Pen, and Spectrum Noir Colourless Blender Pen.
These pens are usually made to go with alcohol marker pens, but I've also tried them with other brands like Sharpies and they work great too.
So go ahead and get creative, experiment with different markers, and have fun blending away!
For use with graphite and coloured pencils
Dealing with streaks on your drawing?
Don't worry, it happens to all of us!
It can be super annoying after putting in all
that effort to create something special.
Luckily, there are different types of blenders out
there to help with graphite pencils or colored pencils.
Blending Stumps / Tortillion
These handy little tools have been a favorite among artists for ages!
These compressed paper sticks are perfect for blending graphite pencils and charcoal, and they're super easy to use.
Some people like to use a craft knife to sharpen them, but personally, I prefer using sandpaper to clean them up.
Check out the photo to see the difference between Tortillions and Blending Stumps.
Tortillions have a finer point, making them great for those tricky little corners.
If you're new to using these tools, don't worry! There are tons of helpful video demos online to guide you. Here's a link to get you started
Happy blending!
Blender Pencils
So, have you ever wondered how those coloured pencils stay so vibrant and beautiful?
Well, it turns out they need a little help from a colourless binder to keep everything in place.
These nifty blender pencils are made from that special clear material that binds your coloured pencils, and let me tell you, they work wonders!
I've personally only tried the one from Derwent, but there are plenty of other options out there like Prismacolor, Koh-i-Noor, Staedtler, and Lyra.
All you have to do is apply a layer of blender over your colour and watch as it smooths everything out like magic.
While I was looking into pencil blenders for you, I stumbled upon a blender pen by Derwent that works with both graphite and coloured pencils.
I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but it's definitely on my shopping list. According to the description, these blenders dissolve the wax in coloured pencils to give a super velvety finish. I can't wait to see how these pens compare to the pencil blenders - it's going to be so interesting!
I hope you found this info helpful and interesting!
These pens and pencils can really step up your artwork game and give it a more polished look.
Why not give them a try and see for yourself?
Create! Crafting From the Heart CIC - Company Number: 15765146
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