Using inktense pencils to color a quilt block is a great choice because they offer vibrant and saturated colors that can make your quilt block really stand out. The inktense pigments in these pencils give you bold and eye-catching color effects that can bring your design to life. Plus, they provide excellent control and precision, allowing you to color even the tiniest details with ease.
You can blend the colors smoothly to create seamless transitions and shading, giving your quilt block depth and dimension. What's really cool is that you can activate inktense pencils with water, giving you the option to achieve beautiful watercolor-like effects on fabric. They're also compatible with fabric, so when you heat-set the colors properly, they become washable and durable.
To color a quilt block using inktense pencils while ensuring the colors won't come out during washing, follow these steps:
Gather Materials:
Quilt block fabric
Intense pencils (e.g., Derwent Inktense or Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils)
Soft brush or cotton swabs
Water
Fabric medium
Iron
2. Prepare the Fabric:
Start with a clean, pre-washed and dried quilt block fabric to remove any sizing or chemicals that may interfere with the pencil's adherence.
Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles or creases.
3. Select and Test Colors:
Choose intense pencil colors that complement your quilt block design. Consider testing the colors on a scrap fabric to ensure the desired vibrancy and color compatibility.
4. Apply Pencil Colors:
Lightly apply the inktense pencil colors to the quilt block fabric. Start with a light hand and gradually build up the colors to achieve the desired intensity.
Use a soft brush or cotton swab to blend and spread the color evenly. This helps eliminate visible pencil strokes and enhances the overall appearance.
5. Activate the Pencil Colors:
Inktense pencils can be activated with water to create a watercolor effect. Dip the brush or cotton swab in water and gently apply it over the colored areas. Alternatively, you can use a water brush pen for easier application.
If desired, you can mix fabric medium with water to dilute the inktense pencil colors and improve their washability. Follow the fabric medium manufacturer's instructions for proper mixing ratios.
There are several brands of fabric medium available in the market, and the choice depends on personal preference. Some popular options include:
Liquitex Fabric Medium: This medium is widely used for acrylic paints but can also be mixed with inktense pencils. It helps to improve the adhesion of the colors and keeps them vibrant and permanent after washing.
Golden GAC 900 Fabric Medium: This medium is specifically formulated for fabric painting and works well with inktense pencils. It enhances the adhesion and flexibility of the colors, ensuring they stay vibrant and durable even after multiple washes.
DecoArt SoSoft Fabric Medium: This medium is designed to mix with fabric paints but can also be used with inktense pencils. It helps to create a soft and flexible finish, making the colors more washable and colorfast.
When using a fabric medium with inktense pencils, follow the instructions provided by the medium manufacturer for the appropriate mixing ratios. Generally, you'll mix the medium with water before applying it to the fabric along with the inktense pencil colors. This mixture helps the colors blend smoothly and adhere well to the fabric.
6. Heat-Set the Colors:
Heat-setting the intense pencil colors is crucial for making them more permanent and washable.
Place a clean cloth or paper towel over the colored areas and use a hot iron to heat-set the colors. Follow the pencil manufacturer's instructions for temperature and duration.
The heat and pressure from the iron will help bond the inktense pencil pigments with the fabric fibers.
7. Allow the Fabric to Cool:
After heat-setting, allow the fabric to cool completely before further handling or assembling into the quilt block.
8. Construct the Quilt Block:
Once the colored fabric is cool, you can proceed with constructing the quilt block. Incorporate the colored fabric into the block design alongside other fabrics, ensuring a cohesive look.
What if you don't have Inktense pencils and don't want to invest the money?
Regular colored pencils can be used instead of Inktense pencils when coloring a quilt block. While Inktense pencils are specifically designed to create vibrant, watercolor-like effects, regular colored pencils have their own advantages and can produce beautiful results as well.
When using regular colored pencils for coloring a quilt block, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Color Intensity: Regular colored pencils may not have the same level of color intensity as Inktense pencils. To achieve vibrant colors, you may need to apply more pressure or layer multiple colors. Experimenting with different techniques, such as burnishing or blending with a blending stump, can help enhance the color intensity.
Blending: Regular colored pencils can be blended to create smooth transitions and gradients. You can use techniques like layering, burnishing, or using a blending stump or a soft brush to achieve the desired blending effect. Blending can add depth and dimension to your quilt block.
Heat-Setting: It's important to heat-set regular colored pencils on fabric to make them more resistant to fading and washing. Heat-setting can be done using an iron by placing a cloth or paper towel over the colored areas and pressing with a hot iron. This helps to set the pigments into the fabric fibers.
Durability: Regular colored pencils may not be as washable as Inktense pencils. Therefore, it's essential to handle the quilt block with care to avoid excessive rubbing or friction that could cause color transfer or fading. When washing the quilt block, follow the fabric care instructions and use gentle washing methods.
While regular colored pencils may not have the same watercolor-like effects as Inktense pencils, they can still add beautiful color and detail to your quilt block. They offer precise control and are widely available in a range of colors. Remember to experiment, test on a scrap fabric, and develop techniques that work best for your desired outcome.
So, whether you choose Inktense pencils or regular colored pencils, both can be used to create stunning and unique quilt blocks. It ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the effect you want to achieve.
Comments