Colored Pencils on Basswood

[Claude]

I know some of you on the forums have used colored pencils to add color to your basswood carvings. How do you do it so it doesn't leave grooves in the wood? Do you hold the pencil "flat", or not have a point, or what?

Claude

[johnvansyckel]

I use Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils which are oil based, water-resistant and smudge proof with a big fat rounded tip and put down several layers. These pencils blend very well and you can create almost any color using the pencils from the 12 tin set. The 'layering': applying layers by not using a heavy hand will eliminate the grove problem. Faber Castell Polychromos are oil based as opposed to being wax based like other pencils, allowing them to blend with solvents, like turpentine or white spirit in a similar way to how you would blend oil paints.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Claude... I've never tried water coloring an in-the-round carving but I have used the water color pencils to spiffy up some of my wood burnings. In fact, I'm working on one now that I'll post when completed. But it's been my experience that leaving marks in the wood hasn't been an issue. You can also add color to make it as dark as you want by reapplying after the first coat is dry. This is an older project that I've done previously with water color pencils. One thing to remember when using water colors is that you need to apply some sort of fixative prior to coating with a water based finish.

Karate Belt Hangers (9).jpg

[Claude]

johnvansyckel Thanks!

Eddy-Smiles Thanks! Nice dragon!

Claude

[Glenn Jennings]

Hi Eddy
You got impressive depth of colour on your dragon. Nice job !!

Hi Claude
Best of luck with it mate I use water colour paint on someof my work but it can run a bit on basswood so using an almost dry brush often works best and don't thin the paint out too much.

Those Faber Castell polychromos pencils sound real interesting. Might have to give them a try out.

[Merle Rice]

I have always used General's Multichrome Coloring Pencils and like them . They are Oil Based. To seal I use Spray Poly U. Using a Brush Smudges everything . Here is 3 Pieces that used the Colored Pencils on . Merle IMG_0001-002.jpg PICT0001-002.jpg PICT0002-001.jpg

[Eddy-Smiles]

Very nice work Merle!

[Merle Rice]

Thanks Eddy, I like the Color and Transparency that the Pencils gives and your Piece shows and proves my Point . Great Job on your Dragon . Merle

[Claude]

Thanks, all - great coloring on those, Merle!

Claude