IS MY BELOVED STABILO STILL BEST for Mixed Media Drawing? (Product Comparison)

I have been IN LOVE with my black stabilo for YEARS!! After last week's review of water soluble pencils in color, I decided I should probably put my black stabilo all pencil to the test to make sure it STILL deserves to be my go-to for mixed media drawing!! Press play to see what I found out!
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[@KarenCampbellArtist]

What's YOUR favorite mixed media drawing tool??

[@snowqueen_8958]

Tombow brush pens and watercolor based drawling pencils

[@susanboyter9034]

Pitt pen

[@NelaDunato]

Inktense pencils for sure, not for their water resistance clearly 😂 but because their color strength is unparalleled. I've tried so many watercolor pencil brands and love how pigmented these are. Stabilo has a great strong black, but their red is just blah, white is super weak too, so I won't bother trying the other colors.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@NelaDunato yep, I agree! I only use their black (although their blue and green are pretty but easily substituted!!)

[@Madnessmakes]

Hi Karen, the stabilo is one of my favorite pencils to use and it’s all thanks to you!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Yay, I'm so glad because it works so well!

[@dianadevlin3717]

I bought the stabilo all pencil on your recommendation and I've not been disappointed. I used it today on a mixed media canvas and it worked great! 😊

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh awesome, that's great to hear Diana!

[@TammieAnnCreative]

My favorite are the Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencils. They melt like magic. Great recommendation from Color Bliss.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks so much, Tammie!

[@idojuander6629]

YOU ARE THE KAREN THAT WE WANT WE NEED WE LOVE 🌸🌸🌸🌸

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Awww, thank you!

[@marciaeckert6364]

I just received Stability All . When I saw you reviewing and comparing in this video, I thought, oh no! I hoped they would check out okay. So happy they did! Thanks for the video.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Yes yes, they’re my absolute fave! Enjoy!!!

[@hsteil]

Thanks for this video.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@joanneoliver6427]

Brill.....stabilo all is like Marmite......you either hate or love 😂. I love mine! Inktense still activated lol. Don’t know if it’s the same, but I brought derwent inktense watercolour paints to try out....I swatched them in my journal about a week ago, gorgeous bright colours but I noticed if I rub the swatches now with my finger the colour comes off and I noticed where they had been in my journal they left marks on the page when closed., bit like the pencils you’ve been trying out. Thanks for sharing Karen, always so informative and fun 😘😘

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks for watching, Joanne! I love hearing what works for people and their different experiences with supplies.

[@mik20241]

Great test! Now I need to get some black Stabilo’s. The one thing I noticed though...It seems many of the pencils re-activated mainly around the area of the original box, as if that area wasn’t completely wetted the first go around. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very clear. No matter, the Stabilo rocked!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks so much, Monique!

[@elaine4415]

Thanks my friend love my Stabilo

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Yay, happy to hear that Stabilos are getting love!

[@lyndahollers5556]

I bought the Blue Stabilio All by accident but love it, just as great as the black

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I love the blue (and green) too! Glad to hear it!

[@KariGibsonArt]

Great test! Another thing to consider with these pencils if you want to use them in wall art, rather than just journals, is their lightfastness. I don't know about the others, but I do know that the Inktense black is not very lightfast at all. I did a test over 2 years and it faded badly.

[@susanboyter9034]

Oh that's good to know

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Great to know, thanks Kari!

[@SaltLifeGypsy68]

You mentioned the colored Stabilos in the other video...do you have a video using or comparing them? Would love your opinion on them.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I'm not overly "wowed" by the other Stabilo All colors (there come in a SUPER limited palette) but the Woodies are great! You can see my demo here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrWkpeHn7WCrtU

[@ekazal66]

Thanks!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks for watching!

[@anjo2365]

Stabilo is also my #1 go to...and by the way... I noticed your stabilo is as short as mine! Lol

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Our stabilos are twinning! Thanks for watching!

[@pamelahowell6064]

Karen inktense has a black outliner pencil that is permanent, I got my inktense pencils open stock on Blick I think, it's been a while

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Awesome, thanks for letting me know!

[@chrystinelacaille9884]

I’m sad you left out the Stabilo Woody 😢 but great comparison 👍🏻

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I did another video on the woodies!! And were included in my last video as well! (So that’s two! ❤️)

[@sibelxo7228]

Oh wow, great video, now I need "stabilo all pencil" lol and I love the texture of that paper, can you tell me the brand? please. Xo ❤️

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

It’s cold pressed watercolor paper, brand is Arteza!

[@sibelxo7228]

@@KarenCampbellArtist Thank You!

[@pamelahowell6064]

They work well on fabric, using fabric medium to liquify them

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Ooh, thanks Pamela!

[@susanboyter9034]

Does the inktense maybe have to sit about 24 hours to like cure? I'm going to check mine too

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

🤷‍♀️ The inktense definitely has all kinds of rules. Thanks for watching, Susan!

[@brendaflinders7601]

I’m trying to find your Amazon link for the Stabilo pencil you love so much. Can you help me with that. Thank you Karen.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Hi Brenda! I saved a few of the Stabilo pencil sets to different albums on my amazon storefront. You can find the Stabilos under "Mixed Media Essentials" using my affiliate link below! Thanks so much for asking! www.amazon.com/shop/karencampbellartist

[@veystone2580]

Nice seeing u again! Im definitely gonna buy me that Stabilo.... but I ask u, have u ever tried the black from General's Kimberly?! (Very inexpensive brand btw) If u can, I think u might like it! Is a shame I can't send u a video o pic of it!!!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Well I think the last one here that I tested in black is from Generals!

[@veystone2580]

@@KarenCampbellArtist yeah but u said the name was USA General, and that pencil doesn't look like my General's Kimberly. I don't think is the same pencil! Could it be? Google General's Kimberly Watercolor Pencils and check if is not the same. If it's not and u have the chance, check it out!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@veystone2580 I did Google it and the branding for General looks the same??

[@veystone2580]

@@KarenCampbellArtist I took a screenshot when you show your pencil, (so that I could enlarge the pic on my phone to be able to see the details) and it's completely different! Mine reads: "USA Since 1889 General's Kimberly Watercolor 715 Black" and it has a silver metallic end. Oh how I wish I could send you a pic!

[@armadillofeathers4850]

Are you using the Inktense Chinese Ink or India ink pencils ? These pencils really have to dry (it’s hard to tell how much time elapsed) There is also an outliner in the Inktense line that looks black, as well as Derwent watercolors pencils. Grapitent is a whole different thing due to the graphic base. Thank you for all the comparison.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Yes, thanks! The Inktense Chinese :) I'm over the iNktense though, sooooo many weird rules and drying times, I just wanna gooooooo and make some art! lol!!!

[@Msboochie2]

Yeah, this was like comparing apples to oranges. Graphitint is just graphite tinted with black. It’s not supposed to be totally black, although the color name may sound that way, you have to remember what it is. Black is all the colors, so when the binders are broken down, I am not surprised seeing individual colors come through, but how the Stabilo keeps it all together is interesting. Inktense clearly says it’s permanent after drying, and if the pencil strokes are still visible, as we can still see the words, then it hasn’t all been activated. What hasn’t been activated will be activated when it’s re-wet, unless it has been sealed. Inktense are great, but there is definitely a learning curve. Reading the basic description helps though.

[@alohakah212]

Hi, what’s written on your coffee mug?

[@veronicasalfi1149]

What is the black stabilo used for most? Outlining, smudging or with water?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I use it both for drawing (always with water for cool shading effects, see video at the end of this video to watch how) and also in my mixed media projects as outlines, yes, that I activate with a sealer! So fun!

[@veronicasalfi1149]

@@KarenCampbellArtist so does it smudge well without water?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@veronicasalfi1149 nope! It’s just a black pencil when dry

[@veronicasalfi1149]

@@KarenCampbellArtist You make everything look so effortless and easy !!!! Thank you for your help. I'm watching that video.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

You’re so welcome! Enjoy!! ❤️

[@navyboymommygramma]

Did you know the Carbathello chalk pastel is water soluble? I just learned that the other day. Haven't tried it yet cuz I haven't bought any yet, but def on my list.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Ooh, thanks for letting me know, I didn't realize that!

[@lindapark8467]

Is the stabillo all the same as the aquarellable?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

No, the Stabilo All only comes in 6 colors and writes on everything (paper, glass, plastic, metal) and the Stabiloaquacolor is what they term Aquarellable (which just means watersoluble) and comes in 36 colors and doesn't write on everything like the All does!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I need to add though that it does say Aquarellable on the Stabilo All itself, which makes it super confusing, as they have there whole other line! Again, it just means watersoluble because yes, they are watersoluble! But see my previous comment about their other product!! lol! Sorry for the confusion!

[@lindapark8467]

Thanks. I will find mine and see if it’s an All. I do remember that it really got black when water touched it.

[@susanboyter9034]

I do have the general one

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Awesome! Do you like it, Susan?

[@susanboyter9034]

@@KarenCampbellArtist yes because it dont get so juicy. Lol

[@Marianne_C_O_Art]

Love the black Stabilo too. I find the Inktense are fixed more on the 2nd application after the first has dried.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks, Marianne!

[@susanboyter9034]

I dont have stabilo all

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

You should try it one day!

[@koskey06]

Wait.... before they dry you can move then around more.......mummy duh. Try activating all of the inktense then letting dry a few hours if not overnight depending on how much water and what paper...... then try reactivating it and see....

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks so much!

[@marysmith6054]

Lol on the inktense.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

🤣

[@Msboochie2]

@@KarenCampbellArtist Your brush is very soft, you would have to use a lot more pressure to activate it all on the first try. I have that brush, I love it, but I use a stiffer brush to activate it properly.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@Msboochie2 yeah I’m over the Inktense after my last video 😂 they’re too much work for me!

[@karenzaretski2344]

I hadn't worked on this particular mixed-media piece in a week and decided to do some outlining in a water color area ... add this to your list! "Prang Brush Pens" NOT water soluble ☹☹🤬

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh no! Thanks for the heads up, Karen!

[@navyboymommygramma]

Ok, I'm not giving up on Inktense, nope , no way, no how. So.... have you compared the blocks to the pencils as far as not re wetting? I only have blocks so I can't do it myself, but I will gladly make the sacrifice of some " hard earned " coinage to purchase more unwanted art supplies .............HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I just could NOT hold that in. Seriously! Who says that 💩? Unwanted art supplies! Hahaha Anywho.... I would buy some pencils to make my own vs if you haven't or can't or even won't, whatever it is. I'm just curious if there is a recipe issue between the two that makes one more soluble than the othere, I'm thinking ....yes. oh OH also.... is there ANY place to get just ONE ..1 Stabilo All pencil not box of 6 or 12 like I'm finding at Jerry's? 💟& ✌y'all

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I'll need to compare them for sure! Thanks Elizabeth!

[@navyboymommygramma]

@@KarenCampbellArtist 💟✌

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

And actually I buy my Stabilos individually at Jerry’s, do you only find them in the dozen at yours? Weird! Do you go in person or order online? And no I haven’t tried the blocks, I still have 80 million watercolors pencils to get through before I buy another form! Lol! I’m much more a watercolor marker kinda girl anyways. I don’t like the residue left behind by the pencils!

[@navyboymommygramma]

@@KarenCampbellArtist I shop online and I looked all over creation for a single pencil cuz I know I'd seen one before. I'll have to look again, it's been a week or so since I checked last.. I get what you mean about watercolor pencils. My main complaint is I just can't get enough color out of them. I like that IN YO FACE bright intense color and THAT is not a pencil. In fact , I'm having trouble finding it at all, any ideas that won't require me selling my grandkids? I'll be needing them a few years down the road so.... I'm loving acrylics right now but I'm open to change. I just want some great color. I was thinking fluorescents, but I heard they have a very weird texture and not easy to work with. HELLLLLP. Pleeeez

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@navyboymommygramma yes I love color too which is why I don’t love colored pencils 😂 acrylics are definitely your best bet! I don’t notice any difference with fluorescents than any other color except that sometimes their not as opaque. I’m obsessed with alcohol and Tombow markers too. But all those tutorials are over on my Drawing channel.

[@IBeLieveInChrist07]

I want to get a stabilo, but I have to say it’s a scary black mess if you go overboard. I love intense, again not as permanent as I thought either.To be fair with the graphitent is just supposed to be a “tint” of graphite not a real black. Glad we have you to give us a good test.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks for watching, and I'm glad this was helpful!

[@veystone2580]

Ohhh and another thing: 😆😆😆😆😆 THE INKTENSE AGAIN!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Right, Vey?! 🤣🤣🤣

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

And seriously, over them! lol!

[@veystone2580]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣