Great tutorial! I’ve been debating on buying the pencils since I’ve had no art training and they are expensive. I could see using your technique to make amazing quilt blocks.
They are a bit pricey, unfortunately. I would suggest trying a small set first if you are interested. As for the pressing cloth on top, it isn't needed because no ink lifts off, but I tend to use a pressing cloth anyway. Also, I seal it with the textile medium and that does need a pressing cloth so it's just a good habit for me to always use one.
I usually let it air dry before heat setting it. That way, any liquid still sitting on the surface won't get moved around. I also put a scrap of cotton over the artwork just to protect it from anything on the iron because I use the same iron with spray starch, etc.
I haven’t tried Inktense yet but with watercolor pencils you can wet the “lead” of the pencil, allow it to sit for a very short while, then color with it. It’s a third way to use the medium and it gives a surprising intensity of color on a dry background. It is good for laying in texture, fine detail, depth and richer hues. Also, concerning he use of electric pencil sharpeners on colored pencils of any type, I totally agree with you. I have also found that most electric sharpeners will fracture the “lead” of colored pencils up inside of the barrel resulting in unexplained broken leads and wasted money. Electric sharpeners are just too rough on such fragile materials.
Thank you for posting this! I am a tie-dyer, and am starting to include more detailed art in some of my pieces. I have the Inktense watercolors and the Inktense blocks. When you Heat-Set the Inktense colors... does that mean that the colors will NOT re-activate if you add water? For instance, let's say I add a bird to a floral-patterned tie-dye fabric, activating it with water... when does that image become "permanent"? When it is dry?? Or only when it it is heat-set?? Thanks again for taking the time to film this and post it
Great tutorial, my question is when you heat set throughout the process, do you put the cloth on top of the painting? I would think if it's not dry yet the paint would spread and the paint would also go all over the iron. I know you put on cloth on top when you applied the medium.
Great question! I do usually make sure my Inktense (or paint if I'm using that) is dry before heat setting, but, yes, anytime I heat set with my iron, I put a protective cloth over the artwork. But, the Inktense does not tend to spread at all with heat, it spreads with water, and very little if at all with the medium.
I'm very grateful for you sharing. I've chosen a project for myself, which is a crib sheet for my grand baby. This video makes me less nervous. I'm curious about the use of aloe Vera, specifically when to apply?
Too much water will definitely make the ink bleed. I use the tiniest bit of water, but the best choice is using either Fabric Medium or Aloe Vera gel, which gives you much more control.
@@sewliloquies do you apply the medium or Aloe Vera gel around the outline before painting to not have the inktense bleed or do you apply it to your brush?
Hi manisha! The inktense blocks are the exact same material, just in larger block form. The only thing I found with the inktense blocks is that they do tend to spread a bit more from "dust" if that makes sense? The fabric is laying on top of a sheet of watercolor paper, which is then on a hard surface like a drawing board. The watercolor paper helps to absorb any excess water so the color doesn't bleed as much on the fabric itself. I replaced with a clean part of the watercolor fabric when I move to a new area so it doesn't pick up the previous ink. Hope that helps! Thank you for watching the video.
Hello! Underneath is any heat safe surface (anything that can be used to iron on). On top of the fabric, I place a piece of scrap cotton. However, directly ironing the Inktense doesn't damage the image in any way, and I have ironed the artwork directly. If there is a lot of moisture still, it is important to keep the iron still and not move it around, otherwise the moisture will spread and might change the image.
Hi Primrose! A textile medium can do a few things... it can make the colors brighten up, it can help with making it more permanent, and I also use it to blend colors together.
@@sewliloquies "more permanent" is only a description used by Inktense fans. Either something is permanent, or it isn't. And I've not found Inktense permanent, going through washes.
@@sewliloquies Two efforts. The first, floral on the corner of a relative's white quilt. Tested with hand wash before putting in too much work, immediately faded to pale. Second was flowers/leaves on a hand towel's white band. Two machine washes, entirely gone. Not sure what I'm going to do with the pencils now - beautiful colors. Maybe trial various textile mediums. But no reason these pencils should be called permanent when clearly, they're not.
@@sewliloquies No definitive advice on fabric/permanent on their web site. Just paraphrased "artists tell us it is", in response to reviewer's complaint.
I bought the Inktense pencils painted on fabric, heat set. Washed before assembling my quilt and the color mostly washed off? I thought they were permanent?
Same experience. Tried it on two surfaces, both washed out. Wash 1, it faded greatly. Wash 2, just light stain left behind. I've no idea why anyone is calling Inktense permanent, when it comes to fabrics. But now stuck with a set of pencils received as a gift, I'll continue to trial, with various fabric mediums. Total wicked bummer.
@@buzoff4642 Try it on paper (like cardstock or watercolor paper.) you can make greeting cards out of that. Also, I wonder if it is the natural fiber fabrics (like cotton, linen, hemp, rayon) that accept the ink as a permanent color change?? I know that polyester, spandex, etc. tend to reject added colors...
@@salemdog100 Bought for fabric ornamentation purpose. I'll continue attempts, with heat-set, etc., as the colors are beautiful. I may find they're only suitable for things that aren't usually washed, such as Christmas tree ornaments. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try different fabrics, as one of the intended use was on linen.
Beautiful work, I enjoyed watching.
Thanks, a detailed art lesson I thoroughly enjoyed. Just learned the technique and value of shading in the past 5 years.
The blocks have a tip that should have come with your set to go on the end to protect your fingers.
Love your tutorials.
Great tutorial! I’ve been debating on buying the pencils since I’ve had no art training and they are expensive. I could see using your technique to make amazing quilt blocks.
They are a bit pricey, unfortunately. I would suggest trying a small set first if you are interested. As for the pressing cloth on top, it isn't needed because no ink lifts off, but I tend to use a pressing cloth anyway. Also, I seal it with the textile medium and that does need a pressing cloth so it's just a good habit for me to always use one.
You should try Joan's!
I wish you would have shown how to heat set with your iron without getting it all mucked up
I usually let it air dry before heat setting it. That way, any liquid still sitting on the surface won't get moved around. I also put a scrap of cotton over the artwork just to protect it from anything on the iron because I use the same iron with spray starch, etc.
Awesome!
I buy fabric that is prepared for painting...ask for it at joanns..works better than regular cottons...also great for crayon transfers.
Amazing.
Thank you for putting so much effort in this wonderful explanatory video.
I haven’t tried Inktense yet but with watercolor pencils you can wet the “lead” of the pencil, allow it to sit for a very short while, then color with it. It’s a third way to use the medium and it gives a surprising intensity of color on a dry background. It is good for laying in texture, fine detail, depth and richer hues. Also, concerning he use of electric pencil sharpeners on colored pencils of any type, I totally agree with you. I have also found that most electric sharpeners will fracture the “lead” of colored pencils up inside of the barrel resulting in unexplained broken leads and wasted money. Electric sharpeners are just too rough on such fragile materials.
I disagree about the sharpener
Beautiful!!!
Thanks!
Beautiful drawing 👍👍👍
Thank you for posting this! I am a tie-dyer, and am starting to include more detailed art in some of my pieces. I have the Inktense watercolors and the Inktense blocks. When you Heat-Set the Inktense colors... does that mean that the colors will NOT re-activate if you add water? For instance, let's say I add a bird to a floral-patterned tie-dye fabric, activating it with water... when does that image become "permanent"? When it is dry?? Or only when it it is heat-set?? Thanks again for taking the time to film this and post it
Yes, heat setting (or even allowing it to dry) makes Inktense permanent. It can safely be washed!
Great tutorial, my question is when you heat set throughout the process, do you put the cloth on top of the painting? I would think if it's not dry yet the paint would spread and the paint would also go all over the iron. I know you put on cloth on top when you applied the medium.
Great question! I do usually make sure my Inktense (or paint if I'm using that) is dry before heat setting, but, yes, anytime I heat set with my iron, I put a protective cloth over the artwork. But, the Inktense does not tend to spread at all with heat, it spreads with water, and very little if at all with the medium.
@@sewliloquies Thank you for your feedback.
I apologize for the bit of garble at the end.. ;)
I'm very grateful for you sharing. I've chosen a project for myself, which is a crib sheet for my grand baby. This video makes me less nervous. I'm curious about the use of aloe Vera, specifically when to apply?
I mix the aloe with the paint before painting. You can apply a layer after the paint is dried, too.
If you used a grey toned paper underneath your fabric art I think you would see your lighter colors better..
Do you mean when the artwork is being created? Because the final artwork cannot have any paper..
When I use water the colors bleed out!! How are you keeping in the lines? Beautiful !
Too much water will definitely make the ink bleed. I use the tiniest bit of water, but the best choice is using either Fabric Medium or Aloe Vera gel, which gives you much more control.
@@sewliloquies do you apply the medium or Aloe Vera gel around the outline before painting to not have the inktense bleed or do you apply it to your brush?
I find a much better and more seamless blend using Aloe vera gel
Hi I want to use the ink tense block, can I use the same technique? And also what are u using under the fabric? Thank u.
Hi manisha! The inktense blocks are the exact same material, just in larger block form. The only thing I found with the inktense blocks is that they do tend to spread a bit more from "dust" if that makes sense? The fabric is laying on top of a sheet of watercolor paper, which is then on a hard surface like a drawing board. The watercolor paper helps to absorb any excess water so the color doesn't bleed as much on the fabric itself. I replaced with a clean part of the watercolor fabric when I move to a new area so it doesn't pick up the previous ink. Hope that helps! Thank you for watching the video.
how do I get and keep a very pale watery color
Use a lighter pencil color and very lightly shade in your color area. Then use a bit of water to blend and set.
Pl show how you heat set it. Do you directly iron it, or you use some thing between fabric and iron. Is there any thing below your fabric?
Hello! Underneath is any heat safe surface (anything that can be used to iron on). On top of the fabric, I place a piece of scrap cotton. However, directly ironing the Inktense doesn't damage the image in any way, and I have ironed the artwork directly. If there is a lot of moisture still, it is important to keep the iron still and not move it around, otherwise the moisture will spread and might change the image.
I have heat set, but find there is still leaves some residue ink that comes off when rubbed with other fabric. What am I doing wrong?
Hi there! Are you using Inktense?
Sounds like not all color was set with water/aloe/fabric medium.
Why iis the textile medium used?
Hi Primrose! A textile medium can do a few things... it can make the colors brighten up, it can help with making it more permanent, and I also use it to blend colors together.
@@sewliloquies "more permanent" is only a description used by Inktense fans. Either something is permanent, or it isn't. And I've not found Inktense permanent, going through washes.
@@buzoff4642 I have not done a full test of Inktense with washes. I did one soap and hot water wash test and it didn't fade. What is your experience?
@@sewliloquies Two efforts. The first, floral on the corner of a relative's white quilt. Tested with hand wash before putting in too much work, immediately faded to pale. Second was flowers/leaves on a hand towel's white band. Two machine washes, entirely gone.
Not sure what I'm going to do with the pencils now - beautiful colors. Maybe trial various textile mediums. But no reason these pencils should be called permanent when clearly, they're not.
@@sewliloquies No definitive advice on fabric/permanent on their web site. Just paraphrased "artists tell us it is", in response to reviewer's complaint.
Can it be mechne washed
Yes! It's water activated permanent ink. I prefer to hand wash but a gentle detergent machine wash will not make it fade or bleed either.
Is this washable, and do your fabric pen lines disappear when washed?
I am using a permanent ink pen, and the pen lines do NOT wash out. This is very washable!
Can I use a heat gun to heat?
Yes, careful not to scorch it. Hair dryer, clothes dryer, but these are slower w/less control.
How do you heat set
Place a scrap piece of cotton over the area and use a cotton temp iron to press.
There not ink based just Normal watercolor pigments
They are wax based pigment with a formulation intended to be permanent. They will not wash out like watercolor pigment would.
I bought the Inktense pencils painted on fabric, heat set. Washed before assembling my quilt and the color mostly washed off? I thought they were permanent?
😵💫😭😭😭
Same experience. Tried it on two surfaces, both washed out. Wash 1, it faded greatly. Wash 2, just light stain left behind. I've no idea why anyone is calling Inktense permanent, when it comes to fabrics. But now stuck with a set of pencils received as a gift, I'll continue to trial, with various fabric mediums. Total wicked bummer.
@@buzoff4642 Try it on paper (like cardstock or watercolor paper.) you can make greeting cards out of that. Also, I wonder if it is the natural fiber fabrics (like cotton, linen, hemp, rayon) that accept the ink as a permanent color change?? I know that polyester, spandex, etc. tend to reject added colors...
@@salemdog100 Bought for fabric ornamentation purpose. I'll continue attempts, with heat-set, etc., as the colors are beautiful. I may find they're only suitable for things that aren't usually washed, such as Christmas tree ornaments. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try different fabrics, as one of the intended use was on linen.