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LA
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New
Orleans
Scrapbo
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Digital
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Louisian
a
Scrapbo
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Louisian
a
Scrapbo
oking
Store |
Metairie
LA
Scrapbo
oking
Supplies
|
Scrapbo
oking
Ideas
New
Orleans
Scrapbo
ok Store
Digital
Scrapbo
oking
Louisian
a
Scrapbo
ok Store
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Laissez le bon temps roulez, cher!
Dee Luquette-Famularo
Owner, Papercraft Specialist
Phone: 504-812-2261 866-949-9683 |
FANTASTIX / COLORING STAMPED IMAGES What ARE They? - How DO I Color In Stamped Images? |
A lot of people ask me both of the above questions, and both can be
answered with the following information:
FANTASTIX (manufactured by Tsukineko; click here to purchase) are
indispensable when coloring in stamped images, and we use them in all our
stamping classes. They are considered an ideal accessory for stamping and
scrapbooking, as well as fabric arts and home decor, because of their
unbelievable versatility. They are disposable, un-inked, and reusable
applicators that are wonderful for coloring in your stamped images, and
easily blending colors and adding accents. Of course, the brush tip (pointed)
is for fine, detail work, and the bullet tip (rounded) is used for larger areas
and shading.
Fantastix work perfectly with many types of inks, chalks, paints, bleach,
mineral spirits, watercolors, wood stains, and glues. They can also be used
for stenciling and needle arts, touch ups, and lots more. You can use them
for just about anything you would normally apply with a brush, cotton swab,
or sponge applicator.
| GENERAL USE |
- Before beginning, make sure you use the appropriate type tip:
Brush Tip (pointed) is used for fine or detail work
Bullet Tip (rounded) is used for application over a wider area
or along edges
- Color your image or project from the center outwards, if possible. This
will help prevent accidental smearing if you place your hand on top of
the chalk/ink/paint before it has dried or been burnished.
- Work with your lightest colors first, especially when you plan to reuse
the same Fantastix with another color in the same color family. This
way, just in case you haven't cleaned your Fantastix tip thoroughly
enough, the color won't be too dark.
- Always test the color you will be using on a scrap of the paper or
whatever surface you'll be applying to, in order to ensure you will
achieve your desired results. If you don't have a scrap available, you
can do a small test first on an area that will not be seen easily or will
later be covered by another element.
- Fantastix are considered disposable, and only cost 65 cents apiece;
once the tip becomes fluffy or misshapen and unusable, simply discard
it, and use a new one. Some people have found, however, that you can
use a sharp pair of scissors to carefully snip the point back into shape
on the brush tips, and then use it a bit longer. NEVER try to sharpen
them with a pencil sharpener of any kind, though, as they will crumble!
| HOW TO APPLY |
- CHALK: Pick up your first color of chalk with the Fantastix like you
would if you were using any other kind of chalk applicator, cotton ball, or
swab. Then, simply apply and blend your colors. Some chalks are drier
than others, and you may need to rub the tip into the chalk a little more
firmly than for the softer or creamier chalks. Pick up more chalk on the
tip as needed while you work. Different brands and types of chalk may
require more or less chalk to get the exact coverage and color you
desire. When finished, seal the chalked areas so it won't spread. Simply
place a piece of clean scrap paper over the chalked image and burnish
with the bone folder. Lift the scrap paper and move it to a clean area of
the paper, and burnish again; repeat until no more chalk pigment is
picked up on the scrap paper after burnishing.
- INK: Ink the tip of your Fantastix by either dipping it into your bottle
of ink, putting a drop or two of ink from your re-inker bottle onto it, or
simply holding it down on your ink pad for a moment to let it absorb
some ink from the ink pad. Once you have inked the tip, you can use the
Fantastix as you would a marker, and color in your project. This is a
perfect way to have a "marker" that matches your favorite ink color, if the
manufacturer does not offer one.
- MINERAL SPIRITS or BLENDING SOLUTION (such as Gamsol Artist-
Grade Odorless Mineral Spirits or Dove Blender Solution): Wet the tip of
the Fantastix with the mineral spirits or blending solution, using only a
small amount at first until you get the "feel" for how much you need with
whatever medium you're blending over. Working with one color at a time
(using a different Fantastix for each color), gently rub over your colored
image from the outside inward, in small circles. This will break down the
"strokes" of color, blending into more of a fluid, watercolor effect. It will
also cause the color to look slightly lighter, and you can create shading
in your images, depending on how much color you leave in certain areas.
It is also perfect for blending colors together without having a definite
line between the different colors. You will want to take your time with
this technique at first, and experiment with how it works for you.
Different media will produce different effects altogether, and you can use
it over images and areas colored in with colored pencils, markers, and
chalks. However, mineral spirits are NOT recommended for use over
watercolors.
- BLEACH: Dip the tip of the Fantastix into a tiny cup of regular
household bleach, then use it like a marker. Instead of applying color,
it will remove color from the surface of whatever you are working on.
Carefully experimenting with different surfaces will allow you to learn
how much bleach to apply for different types of effects.
- WATERCOLORS: Wet the tip of your Fantastix with plain water, then
pick up color from the palette like you would with a paintbrush.
- PAINT: Pick up paint with the tip of your Fantastix just as you would if
you were using a paintbrush. You may find you have greater precision
and accuracy using the Fantastix.
- GLUE: You can either put glue on the tip of the Fantastix directly from
the bottle or by dipping it's tip into the glue bottle. Once you have a
sufficient amount on the tip, apply the glue where necessary on your
project. You might have to work more quickly with some glues, as they
may dry quickly on the absorbent tip.
| CLEANING YOUR FANTASTIX |
|
| HOW MANY DO I NEED? |
Most people normally keep one Fantastix each for use with yellows, reds/oranges, blues/greens/purples, brown, and black; that would be at least 5, per medium. For example, you would probably want one set dedicated for chalks, one set for inks, one set for blending solution, one set for paints, etc. These can be purchased individually, or in bulk (at a discounted rate). |
There are many more uses for these wonderful little marvels, and much more
in-depth information on coloring, blending, and shading, but this should get
you started. I hope you get a chance to try these out, and I'm pretty sure you’
ll think they’re as great as I do.