Creating Texture with Derwent Inktense Blocks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Looks great! I think they are more of a dye than a watercolor. I love using them on fabric.😊

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! Yeah, they work great on fabric! I love that they are pigment based, but still have dye like qualities to them! Some people like to use them on yarn, too!

[@michaelbusby1802]

I’m 69 and I still collect rocks! I have shells from seaside collecting when I was a child. 😊 ~Kathy Busby

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

That's amazing, Kathy! I doubt I will ever stop! I also still have some from when I was a child. Those are my favorites. 💖

[@ElizabethMayoleth]

I have the blocks, the pencils, and a tiny set of the pans. I tend to take the pans outside to paint with watercolor and some water-soluable colored graphite pencils, all Derwent. In my studio I use the pencils the most, but I love to add the blocks when I remember to grab the tin. I've had to control the urge to buy the XL blocks, as they're so expensive and I don't use the blocks a ton. But I love Inktense in general, I agree it's an awesome product. Side note, I saw your Bob Ross in the background, very cool! I found one when I was thrifting and am thinking I want to paint him white, like a white marble bust of Beethoven on someone's piano, lol. I just need to figure out how to plug the hole on his head and preserve his signature. Thanks again for the tips on texture, Shana, and as always interesting!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

I have the small set of pans, but I haven't really used them yet. I think once warmer weather is here, I will try to do some plein air painting with them! I also need to resist the urge to get the XL blocks. It's tough because I love the Inktense line so much! Thank you! I loved painting my Bob Ross, I actually have a video on my channel about it! I didn't bother to plug the hole, but I think maybe some air dry clay would work. For the signature, I painted over it lightly so I could still see it and then used a thin black paint pen to draw over it.

[@robyounce644]

I love your inktense work!!!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much, Rob! 🥰

[@robyounce644]

I enjoy them as much as you! Makes me want to bust them out…

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

@robyounce644 they are so much fun!

[@ClarkFineArt]

I got the pencils first and then the blocks and I have a few pans. I love the blocks! I need to use these some more. Great project! Rocks remind me of Jasper Beach here in Maine.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you, Angela! I tend you reach for the pencils most often. But the blocks really are a ton of fun to work with! I can't remember which beach I took the photo at, I think it may have been Popham. The stones in my piece are more colorful thsn they were in the reference, I really wanted to bump things up a notch! I haven't been to Jasper Beach, but I have been wanting to go! I hear it's beautiful! Maybe I can get Jason to bring me there this summer!

[@ClarkFineArt]

@@CautionArtistatPlay it’s definitely a must see and if you go as the tide is going out you can reach the areas that the ocean has carved out. We got to explore the archway to the left of the cove but didn’t make it to the right side before tide came back in. I want to go back for sure. The sound of the waves over the rocks is like listening to a rain stick it’s quite unique. I like to use my inktense like watercolors, which is probably why I like the blocks so much.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

@ClarkFineArt that sounds amazing! I'm definitely going to have to make the trip! I love the blocks for that reason as well!

[@jocelynlewis8985]

Love this piece 😊, I’m a rock head myself 🥰 and geology major. This inspires me to try and do one myself from my rock collection.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

That's so cool! You totally should, drawing rocks is so fun!

[@jocelynlewis8985]

@ thank you 😊, I think I am going to try it, I bet it is 😌. I do a lot of adult coloring, and my daughter for my birthday brought me a set of the inktense pencils. I learned a lot from your video and I’m going to watch the others, thank you!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

@jocelynlewis8985 you're welcome! I hope you have a blast when you try it!! ❤️

[@teresamazotti1315]

I love the color and texture in the artwork. ❤

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you!!

[@dorothylee8116]

I love working with the 24 pan set. The colors selection is perfect. They work well separately and also mix well together to make more colors. I wish there were more KZbin tutorials done using them. I love this illustration of yours and your videos! Keep up the great work!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! I have their small pan set, I need to do a video with them soon!

[@belbolser9671]

Too Funny,! I agree I don’t care what they are, watercolor or ink, I love them! Love your art work as always. Thanks for sharing all you do!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much! 💖 I'm glad to know I'm not alone in my love for the medium, regardless of what they say they are made of! Lol Thank you, as always, for watching, I appreciate you!

[@stephenoliver572]

Really nice artwork, my wife collects rocks, and i get to carry them for her, :)

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! Lol, that's lovely of you. My hubby does the same for me! 🥰

[@claritzairosario68]

Wow, I didn't know you love collecting rocks! When I was a little girl, I collected rocks, yeah! I loved them, because of the textures and colors. Here in Puerto Rico, where I grew up, there is a mountain with quartz rocks, I collected them in an aluminum shortbread tin 🤭😅 and I loved them, it's a shame I threw them away. I still like them, but I don't collect them anymore, I'm just passionate about rocks for their textures and colors! And what can I say about Inktense blocks and pencils? They are one of my favorite mediums! I have a 24 set of pencils and blocks, and they're so awesome to work with them! I do a sea horse with them and a deep ocean with the turtle 🥰❤🥰 but give texture to those rocks with the blocks! wow! that was incredible! Thanks Shana!❤❤❤

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you, Claritza! It is so cool that you collected rocks as a kid, too! I love quartz, so that mountain sounds like it would be amazing!!

[@ChantelleArts]

You nailed this, it looks wonderful ☺☺☺

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you!!

[@stephenwelham]

They are a very versitile medium one of the best methods to sketch out is to use a grey then wet leave to dry then use your ink tense like water colours as the grey base gives you the placement of shadows

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

That is a great technique! I love that they lend themselves so beautifully to doing underpaintings!

[@welchyv]

Great info. I will pull out both my blocks and pencils. Thank you for opening my eyes

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching, I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@nattyw495]

I have pencils& blocks i like them both..find both forms easy to work with..enjoyed watching your progress..💙✍🎨🇨🇦🇺🇲💙

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you!

[@ebonyknight3948]

I love the Inktense range in its entirety, and they all work well together. I was lucky enough to be asked to create their 100 Inktense Pencil tin illustration, and I did that on their smooth watercolour paper. That was entirely done with the pencils. But I must say, my favourite is the blocks for all the reasons you demonstrate in this video. I would say the 24pan set is my next favourite. I really like the way I can layer up, but actually use the pans like dried gouache, because they're pretty opaque when used thick.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Your tin came out lovely! I have seen it online! I have the small pan set. But I haven't used it yet because I always end up using my blocks instead. I need to use it soon!

[@judithlund4346]

That was great to watch …….. and looked like so much fun. ❤ I was given a set of 72 Inktense pencils as a gift in 2020 and have to admit I had no idea what to do with them. 😮 I’ve dabbled using them for shading and adding depth of colour over my acrylic paints on a few of my paintings, adding water to spread ……. This seemed to work well. 🤗 Had NO idea they could be used from start to finish in a painting 🤪 …….. will now go on a search for your other Inktense videos. 🤩 Thanks so much for posting and sharing your knowledge and talent with us all. ❤❤

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

You are very welcome! They are so versatile. There is actually a lot you can do with them! I have quite a few videos and a whole playlist dedicated to them, I hope you find them helpful!! Thank you for watching!

[@carltanner9065]

You collect rocks...I'm a "rock doctor"😊😝 A geologist😊 I also have stars in my eyes...an astronomer, as well😊 And, I like art and photography😊

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

That's amazing!! 😊 I love star gazing, and anything sky related really. Skies are one of my favorite subjects to paint!

[@rachelpage1759]

I used the blocks to paint the cover of my etchr sketchbook, turned out great!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Ooh! That sounds fun!

[@shericampbell70]

Wow! Beautiful. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you liked it!!

[@pamgabriel587]

Kind of off topic...I noticed your wood storage drawers in the background. Could you share what brand they are end where you purchased them?

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Sure! The brand is Creative Mark, and I got them online from Jerry's Artarama!

[@hamerray]

When the color dries you get this matt chalky look to it but with the pencils the colors are more bright and vibrant.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

They definitely have a gouache like look to them when they dry. I agree that the pencils are more vibrant.

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

Your piece is such an exemplary piece and had sealed my choice to get the pencils. I just picked up their half pan paint set and love them. I'm thinking of using the pencils alongside them! I want my work to look like yours though!😅😅

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much! The pencils will be a great addition to the pan set!

[@lindacsmith13]

I only have the pencils and I love them

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

The pencils are fantastic!

[@anitadavidson1266]

What a wonderful painting! It came out beautifully textured and simply a pleasure to look at! Shana, do you post your prints etc worldwide? To Scotland? 🤞🏻😊 I know many US artists don’t as it can be a hassle. I would love to have this on my wall because, aged 57, I too still collect rocks from every place I visit, or on the beach beside me. I too was THAT child and very proud of the fact too! 🎨🖌️👩🏻‍🎨🪨🪨🪨

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you so much, Anita!! It's so cool that you also collect rocks!! I love that! As far as prints go, I go through a print on demand website, and they do ship worldwide! As far as I know, they ship to Scotland! Here is the link to this piece! There are a ton of fun print options on there, too! shana-rowe.pixels.com/featured/beach-stones-shana-rowe-jackson.html

[@HeatherBryant22]

Have you heard when of if the new colors will come in the blocks???

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

No, I haven't heard one way or the other. I would think they would do blocks with the new colors, but I don't know for sure if and when they will. I hope they do!

[@myrnalandersartist]

Beautiful job on the rocks! I used to always paint with oils, and this past year I've been obsessed with mixed media, but mostly watercolor. I started with Inktense because everyone was talking about the vibrancy. But then when I tried actual good watercolor in pans and tubes, it felt easier to work with. But watching your videos makes me want to get them out, lol! After all, they're just sitting there, the full set!! Because they're activated with water on the paper, after you've drawn with them, do you ever think to yourself -hmmm did I activate all of the color on the paper? Or will it get activated when I'm trying to glaze on some color? This is what occurs to me, lol. I'm not sure if that's a problem or not? Does this question make sense? 😊

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Thank you! The activation can be an issue with these because they gain their permanency only after they have been fully washed out with water. But you kind of get used to finding that balance the more you work with them.

[@myrnalandersartist]

@@CautionArtistatPlay awesome! Good to know! One fun thing I did with my Inktense blocks, is break off a chunk and put it in a half pan with a magnet on the bottom. Then I lined them all up in an old tin case! Instant 72 color palette!

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Yes, I have seen a few people do that! It's a great way to utilize them!

[@hotironmom]

I have a tin of 36 blocks that hasn’t been opened yet. 😊

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

They are a blast to work with!

[@rebeccahesser8057]

lol I’m that strange child and adult also and now have passed the rock collecting bug to my daughter. My partner always asks me if I ever walk with my head up? The answer is no I may miss a beautiful rock.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

Haha! Same! Between that and art, I'm surprised I don't have more neck issues! 😂

[@Dulcy-Doll2736]

It's not semantics. It's a watercolor, period.

[@CautionArtistatPlay]

That's why I read directly from the website. Sadly, many have been under the impression, for years, that it's ink. We have all been told that at one point or another, either through video or some other source that they are some form of ink. I get comments on my videos about it all the time because I don't refer to them as ink anymore, which is why I went to the source. That being said, there's really no use in getting wound up over it one way or another. All we can do is try to spread the information, to the best of our knowledge, and hope people hear it.