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Saturday 13 November 2010

Ribbons and gems.....

Here's a couple more tips on using your promarkers, and here is the card I made in the video. It's a bit of a rubbish photograph, I didn't take it until the light had gone, so there is a lot of bleaching of colour with the flash





now to answer some questions
Question: when you blend a darker shade with light, does that mess up the lighter pen tip?
Answer: No, not at all, you do not get a transference of colour onto the nib. There must be a technical reason for that, but I don't know what it is
Question: I saw on Create and Craft TV that you should always store your Promarkers horizontally. You store them vertically. Don't they dry out?
Answer: Create and Craft TV are wrong on this one. I asked the guys at Letraset this specific question. The ink in the Promarkers is such high quality, and the molecules in the ink are so fine, that you can store vertically or horizontally. I have noticed NO drying out of my pens with vertical storage
Question: I notice you blend colors with colors rather than a blender pen. Is this normal with this sort of marker?
Answer: Yes. You are probably used to using a blender pen with watercolour pencils, where the blender melts the wax and makes it possible to move the colour around. With alcohol ink, you lay down a sheer layer of ink, then build that up in layers to add your shading
Question: I have been onto the Letraset site and saw that they make alcohol ink Tria markers in 300 colors. Whats the difference between them and Promarkers?
Answer: Tria markers have three nibs, including an ultra fine one, they can be used in conjunction with the Promarkers. They are aimed at the professional market - architects, fashion designers, advertising agencies, animators etc etc all use Tria. They are refillable by a cartridge system, or ink bottle refills. They are more expensive than Promarkers.
Promarkers are aimed at the craft market and manga artists. I own the complete set and find that the colour range is excellent and more than adequate for my needs
Question: In one video you show how you color with a blender pen onto blank paper. Can you explain a bit more about the blender pen?
Answer: An alcohol ink blender actually pushes the ink away, sometimes it looks as if it is erasing the colour from an image. I am still getting to grips with the blender myself, but find it useful to saturate parts of an image that you want to leave white, then the ink that you apply to the rest of the image sort of blends and feathers into the blended area. I sometimes use it to take away colour - say at the front of a pair of jeans for example
Question: Sometimes when I color a large area with alcohol markers I get a streaky effect. Any tips?
Answer: I think you will find that if you use a small circular motion with the pen, rather than broad strokes (you can do this with the wedge end for quickness), you won't get a streaky effect. I got quite a lot of streakiness when I was using Copic markers, I don't seem to get that now I am using PM's - there is probably a technical reason for this as well, but I haven't a clue what it is
Question: I am really interested in the airbrush system. I have seen some amazing work done with the copic airbrush. Can the Promarker airbrush be purchased in the USA?
Answer: You need to email Macphersons, the US distributor of Promarkers to ask this question. There is a link to their site on my sidebar. You can also purchase direct from the Letraset site in the UK, their mailing costs are very reasonable. I am hoping to try one out soon, and will do a review when I do
Question: Why are there so many grey shades? I have noticed this with Copics as well and don't understand. I have watched your videos about shadowing, but still don't understand why there needs to be so many grey markers
Answer: Greys can be used as a 'mixer' colour with a great many shades. For instance, warm grey 4 & 5 makes fabulous brown fur, or dark brunette hair. Some of the paler greys can be used with other colours - blues and grey for a sea or lake for example
Question: How long did it take you to learn how to use alcohol markers?
Answer: I am still learning, and when you look at some of the truly fabulous artists out there, still a beginner. My advice would be to surf the web and gather together every scrap of inspiration you can. I have been using them for about 2 years - I started with Copics, and changed to Promarkers. They are truly easy to use and get great results
Question: Thank you for your starter list of colors, but I can't afford to buy 45 markers all at once, I can buy about 25. Any advice?
Answer: I would go for the first 25 colours on the list. You can add the rest later
Question: doesn't using the alcohol markers to ink sentiments damage the rubber stamp?
Answer: Well I suppose it would if you left it on the rubber, but I keep alcohol free baby wipes close by, and swipe one over the stamp as soon as I have used it. I haven't noticed any deterioration in the rubber or acrylic
Question: I have some Copics, but after watching your videos and checking out how well priced Promarkers are, I am going to switch over to Promarkers (I hope Santa is reading this) Will the Copic colors I have work with them? Will my Copic blender pen work, or will I need a Promarker one? Thanks
Answer: Yes, you can use your existing Copics in conjunction with the Promarkers, they are both alcohol based pens. You CAN'T use your Promarkers (or Copics) with Tombow or Stampin Up water based markers. The Copic blender will work fine
Okay, I hope I answered your questions. I'll be posting tomorrow, I've got a jokey video for you, and getting ready for the big draw, winner to be announced on monday

64 comments:

  1. Your projects are SOOOOOO beautiful!!! I am so hoping to win the marker set so I can learn to color like you. TFS

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  2. Very pretty!! You answered some of the questions I've had this week also. Thank you so much for sharing. I love your blog!

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  3. I've enjoyed your series of video's Enfys. Thanks for taking the time to do this for those of us who have never worked with this type of pen! Now I've got my fingers crossed.
    R/

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  4. OH great tips! I love those flowers!! Thank you for answering so many questions too!
    Melissa

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  5. Ohh i would never have guessed you can do that with your stamps. Will the markers ruin your clear stamps if you use them to match your card color? Also loved the tip on adding color to your ribbon....Thank you so much for sharing....i hope i'm lucky enough to win. kimbob27@hotmail.com

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  6. Oh my,my,my goodness...Just looked at all the questions that came your way about the promarkers...you know your stuff...great job!!!


    peifet@fuse.net

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  7. Sensational as one can start promarkers. Many thanks for the video. Your card is wonderful.
    Hugs
    Melodie

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  8. I love this! So simple, so, so, so, beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this technique. I didn't realize these markers could be used one the surfaces like gems. Awesome!
    Blessings, Donna
    grandma4five@gmail.com

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  9. Gorgeous card! Thanks for the videos this week, they have been great!!!

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  10. What a wonderful card Enfys,I love the flowers.

    Hugs Riet.x

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  11. these are amazing tips sweetie
    thank for that
    the flowers sre gorgeous
    hugs angelique

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  12. thanks Enfys, I've been colouring my ribbons, buttons,gems, flowers etc for a while now. I always used cheap acetate pens and only yesterday I used the promarkers to match with my image. They don't leave streaks and as you show in your video colour lovely. I've learned so much from your video's and feel more confident with my colouring now. Love what you did with the die cuts, inspires me to do more with the loads I have shoved away in a box lol. Hugs lin

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  13. Another useful video with great tips. Loving them. Thanks.
    HW

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  14. Gorgeous card Enfys and you have been so helpful with your videos!

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  15. WOW,this is awesome!!! I love all your video and thanks for answering all the questions! I might have to use that idea for the flowers.

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  16. Oh wow this is sooo beautiful. I have really enjoyed this week's videos and I would love to see the airbrush system in use, it is something I have considered buying a few times now.
    Kim xXx

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  17. Wow! Beautiful! Thanks for all the info.

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  18. What a awful lot of things you can do with these markers. I cross my fingers that I'll be the lucky one this time!!
    Love,
    Marianne
    http://Mariannesblogje.blogspot.com

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  19. I love how the PM can makes everything fit together. TFS all the questions and answers.

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  20. This series has been so informative and I've learned even more now from the answers to the questions.

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  21. Thanks for some great tips En.
    Debe
    debmevans@btinternet.com

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  22. thanks for your questions and answers ~so helpful!
    vanessa xx

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  23. gorgeous card, your flowers are beautiful, hugs Debx

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  24. Thank you so much for these very informative videos, they have been really informative. I am so excited about these markers! And thanks for the Q&A in this session, you answered my questions. Again, another precious card.

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  25. Asked ... and answered! this has been a great series Enfys! the projects are gorgeous and all of your tutorials were so informative. I may be switching to promarkers very, very soon! thanks again for doing all this work. hugs, eileen

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  26. Wow I have really enjoyed visiting you daily (some may call it stalking) for some inspiration. Purple is my favorite color so today's video I think is my favorite. Love that the markers can be used for such a large range of things, from the ribbon to stamps to simply coloring in images. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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  27. Thanks so much for all that information.Such as I am new to these markers it was a great help. Keep up the GREAT work En.
    Bev v

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  28. Dear Enfys Thank you for sharing your lovely card. To think that I had no ribbons to match, well that was then. I enjoy your videos and the little girl cards are just the sweetest . Thank you ...

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  29. Thank you for all the Q & A.
    The card is beautiful - the flowers are very beautiful - you make this all look so very easy! Love your work!

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  30. this is sooooooooo pretttttyyyy... love it....

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  31. Thank you for a great set of videos taking away some of the mystic surrounding Promarkers. I off to try out some of you techniques - I can only get better:-)
    Stampersue
    X

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  32. Thank you so much for sharing all your tips on these markers with us. Your projects are beautiful and by no means done by any novice - you are truely an artist!
    JeanH

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  33. Just wanted to thank you for this weeks videos. They have been a tremendous help and so informative. You are very talented and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with all of us. Now to keep my fingers crossed as I don't seem to be able to find these in Canada.

    Maureen

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  34. I've enjoyed your videos all week Enfys! Thank-you for sharing all of your hard work. I am just loving your blog! Thanks for answering so many of our questions!!

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  35. Beautiful swirly gems, I don't know what you call them either! I have a few Copics but have never been able to work with them well. So when I'm going to buy some promarkers and see if I can do better with them. Thanks for all the videos. You have taught me a lot. Thanks Jess

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  36. Love this card En and another great video.

    Beccy xx

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  37. Beautiful card, even with the poor lighting. I like the coloring of the flowers. Good tutorial, too. The more I see of these Promarkers, the more I like them. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Sharon :o)

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  38. Thanks Enfys, for all your videos and tips and beautiful creations. Now there is just to pray to be the lucky winner :o))
    Have a great weekend and I hope it is not as ice cold at your place as it is here in Iceland now, Jóna

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  39. Hi Enfys, I've really enjoyed your videos this week. This last one was excellent. When I saw that die cut flower and you started the colouring I was wondering what you were up to but it turned out really lovely. Great way of making flowers. I shall definately give that a go.
    Kind regards
    Mayjasper

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  40. This card is so beautiful - and the die cut flowers look fabulous!!! Thanks so much for all the info you have shared. I really need these markers.

    SoCal Nana

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  41. Oh Enfys this is stunning my favourite colouring to, youve done a lot of hard work on our behalf and I want to thank you for all your tutorials theyve been a real help. With love and hugs Shirleyxx

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  42. Love the card. You have done a great job answering all these questions. Thanks!
    Still have my fingers crossed for the drawing!

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  43. this video is really great..luv it very very much...the Q and A...very helpful for us crafters....hope to win the PM pens...thank you

    lovelylorns@gmail.com

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  44. themessycraftroom.Saturday, November 13, 2010

    Thanks again for these fantastic videos and for taking all the time and trouble to share your work with us. I have coloured ribbon like that before but didn't know you could colours gems. All your cards are great. Really loved this flower one its so pretty. Thanks for answering all those useful questions too. I love colouring and have everything crossed. Take care Hugs x ChrisB

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  45. Brilliant answers to all those questions Enfys, some I hadn't even thought of but glad to get an anwser. Love your pretty card.
    Pinky

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  46. that is so pretty en and thank you for all the helpful Q&A's too,hugs Lou xxx

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  47. That is actually one of my favourite uses for my Promarkers (well apart from colouring of course) - the best way to get a perfect matching ribbon

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  48. Love the card and the great information.

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  49. Enfys,
    Its me again... Great Job and love the purple...... I hope I will win the marker set but I will never be as good as you.... Thanks for the great chance to win....
    Blog:
    http://lovethatexpressions.blogspot.com/
    E-Mail: davidbayles@sprintmail.com

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  50. Beautiful!! Those flowers are fantastic!! Thanks for answering all those questions! :)

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  51. Oh my, your lilac card is stunning. I'm so excited to get home from the rehab center to start practicing what you have taught this week. You are so awesome. Thank you for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Mary Ann Huntington
    mahuntington@wavecable.com

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  52. So many answers you have given all of us who never has used Promarkers before. And I do not get tired of saying how great your tutorials are :)

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  53. thanks so much for answering those questions! You've done a fantastic job! I even got to share your blog and videos with a SWAP friend who was so happy since she has all the Prismacolors. She's dusting them off!

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  54. Enfys, this has been so very, very helpful! I love what you do with promarkers, and now that I have watched your videos I will have the nerve to try them! Thank you!

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  55. This series of videos has been incredibly helpful! I love what you do with promarkers, and now that I have watched the videos, I will have the nerve to try them! Thank you!

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  56. I enjoyed reading the question and answers. Beautiful card...love the flowers and colors!

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  57. fab video Enfys...
    Thankyou for sharing ith us all..
    I love your card the flower is soo pretty:) x

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  58. What a beautiful card...love how the Promarkers are used on the gems and ribbon. Thanks for sharing all your tips...it's a big help En!!!

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  59. Enfys I enjoyed your video today and was going to ask you 4 of the question you answered wonderfully. One of my questions was if they would work with copic's. I have really enjoyed watching your video's and the way you answered everyones questions and amazing and informed week for me. Thank you so much for this!!! Hugs to you, I can't wait to see what you come up with tomorrow!

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  60. Enfys, I've really enjoyed all the tutorial on the pro markers. Your card is so pretty, thanks so much. shari (cricutrookie)

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  61. More great ideas. The Promarkers seem so versatile.

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  62. Enfys, I know this is a late response, but I just want to thank you again for taking the time to share your talent w the rest of us. I've enjoyed each of your videos and have learned a lot from you. I'm still crossing my toes and fingers...

    Carol
    aka cyimbugbitten

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  63. Thanks for another awesome tutorial, I never though of coloring the gems and ribbons. ~Diane

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  64. Beautiful!!! Thanks for all the tips and for doing this tutorial series.

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I love reading your comments, thank you for taking the time
Enfys x