One of my favourite things about the Inktense product range is the vibrancy of colour and the versatility of it being permanent once it's dry so I can work back over and over until I’m happy. I can also use it on any surface!

I’d had a picture in my head for a very long time; it was based around a favourite quote of mine by Marilyn Monroe and I wanted to make it into a canvas to hang in my studio but I couldn’t find the right medium. I’m not a watercolour fan; paint seemed too heavy and then I thought of Inktense – just right! So I finally got around to making that canvas and I’m super happy with the result!

I used the Inktense blocks with a water spray bottle and my fingers (I’m a very messy artist!) to achieve the background effect, building up three layers to get the exact effect I wanted, letting the lighter colours shine through from underneath. I then used a mixture of Inktense blocks and pencils to draw in the details and highlights.

I finished it with a 3D glaze over the balloon and added the quote with an ink pen.

Thanks so much for looking, we’d love you to come and share your Inktense projects over on the Derwent Facebook page! I’ll be back soon with another project.

Sarah x

www.sarahhurley.com

We love crafting here at Derwent, so who better to show us some great techniques and projects than super-crafter Sarah Hurley? Sarah will be bringing us lots of fun and colourful ways to craft using Derwent products so keep your eyes peeled... take it away Sarah!

Today I’m sharing with you a Valentine’s card using Inktense pencils and blocks. They are so versatile and have such bright vibrant colours; I just love using them in my crafting!

I’ll be showing you how to stamp and colour with Inktense…

Supply List – Inktense Blocks, Inktense Pencils, Watercolour Paper, Waterbrush – Derwent, Jar Stamps – Little Musings, Cloud Stamp – Hero Arts, Valentine Stamps – Pink Paislee, Once Upon a Princess Cartridge (Cricut Expression) – Provocraft, Staz-on Ink Pad, Kraft Card, Water Spray Bottle 

Firstly I stamped two jars (in case of a mistake or smudge!) using a Staz-on ink pad (this is a solvent based waterproof ink so won’t run and spoil my image once I start to add colour) onto watercolour paper. Using the Inktense pencils, I added some Bright Blue to the edges and bottom of the jar and some Teal Green to the inside of the jar (very lightly) then, using a water brush I blended the colour out using lots of water as I wanted the colour to be very feint to give the effect of glass.

Once this was dry I added some Black to the edges of the lid and some White in the centre and blended with a water brush. While the lid was still wet I added more White to highlight and blended (the colours are more intense when used on wet paper.)

While the jars were drying I cut a piece of watercolour paper to 13 x 9.5cms, using the Inktense blocks dry I coloured the cloud stamp with two shades of blue (you can add colour to a dry stamp but it won’t stamp until you wet the stamp or stamp onto wet paper) I then misted lightly with water using a spray bottle and stamped onto the watercolour paper – set aside to dry.

I then cut a piece of Kraft card to 14 x 10cms and using my Cricut Expression I cut a heart shape in the middle. I then rounded the corners and used a red pen to doodle stitching round the heart and the edge of the paper.

When the cloud image was dry I mounted it onto a card blank using double sided tape, then using 3D foam I added the Kraft card over the top, allowing the stamped clouds to peek through the heart.

Once the jar was dry I stamped the hearts inside the jar using the same technique with the Inktense blocks – using them dry onto the stamp and then misting with water. If you miss any parts out (i.e. if too much water goes on one area and dilutes / washes away the colour) you can just touch up the area with your Inktense pencils or a corner of the Inktense block.

I then added the jar to the front of the card with 3D foam, and a stamped greeting to the top left corner.

Some of my Top Tips! 

• Using the Inktense blocks directly onto your stamp is a great technique to achieve a watercolour effect for backgrounds etc
• For more precision you can use Inktense pencils onto specific areas of the stamp
• The more water you add, the more blurred and painterly your image will be when you stamp
• Bear in mind as you flip the stamp over some water will run, mixing the colours; if you want to avoid this look then wet the paper instead of the stamp, this will also make your colours brighter.
• For a more intense colour, wet your stamp with the mister first and then add colour to the stamp.

I love discovering new things with these pencils & blocks. They are so versatile, I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of my experiments popping up here soon!

www.sarahhurley.com