Putting my Inktense blocks in a travel palette and organizing the rest - Sunflower painting demo

[@LisbethDavies]

Six years later and I'm just searching for ideas on how to make a portable palette of Inktense blocks (which I love!). I have the palette and the magnetised pans ready (a roll of magnetic tape goes a long way!) so thank you very much for this, especially putting the "crumbs" into the pan first, and with a folded sheet of paper - genius!

[@meldradriscoll228]

Inktense really brightens up if you seal it with Krylon Crystal Clear Spray. The colors brighten and shine!

[@Sandrinesgallery]

I'll have to try that then. Thank you very much for the tip.

[@josefschiltz2192]

Hi. Can you tell me if you think matt or gloss Krylon Crystal Clear Spray for sealing inktense? Many thanks.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

@@josefschiltz2192 I'm not sure if you saw the reply, but @Meldra Driscoll suggested the gloss.

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@SandrinesgalleryI hadn't. I was looking at the notifications for a reply. Just seen Meldra's response. Thanks!

[@nattyw495]

What a great idea to put numbers on blocks and color charts and on the box....

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you.

[@moonram2569]

Hi, I have two ideas for you. If u want to carry around all 72 colors use a mini ice cube tray and a kitchen tile which will be the palette as well as lid. I apply a layer of gum arabic on the finished painting for a slightly glossy look.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Great ideas! I'm not sure I want to carry around all 72 colors, though, hehehe! I just sprayed the painting with a fixative spray, and it seems to have taken care of that chalky finish, even though it has a matte finish. Looks much better. Thanks for your ideas.

[@UConceptPublishing]

inlove the idea about putting the inktense in travel pans.... its sooo convenient. thanks!!

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you for watching, Janet. It IS very convenient, and very easy to do. The hard part is to choose which ones to put in your palette, unless you have a very big one that would fit them all, heheh!

[@meldradriscoll228]

I love the gloss!

[@josefschiltz2192]

Ah, right. Thanks for that.

[@dianethoroughman9541]

I loved this vid. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you for watching, Diane.

[@Phyllis-nk5ji]

What an informative and helpful video. Well done and thought out. I've added you to my favorites and subscribed.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thanks so much, Phyllis.

[@Linda-qq5mg]

You have done a great job organizing everything! Thanks for sharing your good ideas. I have subscribed!

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@susankievman642]

Linda why not just put the full 4 digit number on the space? No room for that?

[@PatriciaAnnLewisMacDougall]

Thank you for posting a very useful video. I don't inktense blocks myself. I purchased the pencils before the blocks came around and I'm still using them. Although I don't find the pencils chalky at all and I always thought the blocks were the same as pencils. I guess not. May I make a suggestion? I always find those grey plastic trays that hold the blocks/pencils flimsy and will crack with time and use. If you seal the edges with some type of heavy-duty tape, such as thick masking tape, it should strengthen the edges of the tray and keep them from cracking. Now I'm going to your channel and take a peek at more of your videos!

[@Sandrinesgallery]

I think they are the same as the pencils, only you tend to use more, and maybe that's why they looks a bit chalky. Maybe it's better to use thin layers. Thank you for the tip, it's a great idea.

[@AnotherMADCreation]

Very cool idea but also very painful watching you break all those beautiful blocks! Lol.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

LOL, I think in the end it makes it easier to use, at least for me.

[@ligaskirbauska8652]

The point is using them..if you don’t use them it’s money lost...and it’s cool to have travel set of you’re own for easy grab..

[@mlcoffey2]

I did this when I first got my Inktense sticks because I wasn't going to ever carry around the metal case. It makes it easier to throw into my watercolor kit.

[@aftersum1995]

I was planning on doing this once I received my Inktense blocks. I’m a little confused as to how it works. I thought that once you activated them with color it would be permanent once dried. If the blocks are wetted and then dried, how does the water affect the blocks?? Does it make them more granular? Thanks ahead for any tips:)

[@aftersum1995]

*activated with water(not color)

[@iknownothing-49]

Brilliant! Thanks

[@susanvk4844]

Really clever idea

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you very much, Susan.

[@doreenstrachan1119]

Great idea

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you! 😊

[@recoveringsoul755]

I was looking at the Canson paper in the Art store the other day. It says it is for Watercolor, but there was no information about Cotton content. Since most water color artists seem to say that the most important ingredient for beginners (like me) is to use 100% cotton paper, I ended up getting some Arches paper. But I have crappy brushes and Prang colors. And a set I picked up in Costco that I havent' tried yet. It has watercolor tubes, and 12 WC pencils. No idea what brand they might really be. No pigment or light fastness information. I havent' tried the good paper yet. It was expensive but I had a coupon. I'm using Mixed media Strathmore paper and sometimes my washes look streaky. Might be a paper issue though.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

There is a very good Canson watercolor paper, it's called Heritage. It's 100% cotton and costs even more than the Arches paper. I like it very much. Usually when paper doesn't say cotton, it means it's not. You picked a great paper, you can't go wrong with Arches. Now, if your watercolor supplies don't give you any info on the tubes, you know for sure they are student grade. They might be okay while you start, but not very pigmented. But as long as you have a good paper, you won't be as frustrated. Have fun.

[@janestorer6610]

I think the Inktense become more permanent if left longer. Several hours or a day perhaps. I know that the water colour pencils also become more difficult to remove (lift) if left longer times. Thanks for this video. Very helpful.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

You're probably right. Thanks for the tip.

[@aftersum1995]

I just ordered a set of Inktense blocks and have been reading articles and watching videos to get as much info before using them. I remember someone saying to apply heat like a blow dryer to help with permanence. I’m not sure how it will affect the colors since my Inktense set has not arrived yet.

[@averagetrailertrash]

Sum, heat setting is needed for use on fabric. It might help with 100% cotton paper as well, but I haven't noticed any benefit to heat setting on cellulose paper. The main thing for permanence with Inktense on paper is making sure you work in thin layers and fully activate the pigment. Use it like you would ink. Thick applications prevent the ingredient making it water soluble from evaporating properly, and cause it to bind to itself instead of the paper. So they are very easy to lift.

[@willtams7121]

I think your painting turned out quite vibrant and not chalky at all!

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you very much.

[@MalamikArt]

I wonder if you get a little drop of gum arabic in your water while using these if you would have better flow and more shine? Or for large areas just create a large puddle of color and use a large mop brush? I think this was a great vid! I love the sunflower. Perfect timing. :)

[@Sandrinesgallery]

I should try that. I'm wondering if the gum arabic will change the properties of the Inktense, though. I'll just have to play with them more and see what works best. I've been wanting to paint sunflowers for a few weeks now, and have another one in the making that might make you smile, hehe! I won't tell you more for now. :D

[@jotsntittles5783]

@@Sandrinesgallery www.kamapigment.com/en/demonstrations/demo2_01.html Make your own watercolor paint w/pigment & gumarabic

[@hermajestyqueenmarcia]

Hi.. I loved your video and admire your organizational skills. Two ideas I have... One is buy another .. maybe 2 more tiny tins for the half pans so you can have more colors.. two is on your background would you consider a different medium.. maybe soft pastels, pebble chalks, or even pencil to smooth it out. Luminance pencils I've found are velvety smooth for use over pencil strokes in backgrounds. I saw as you were removing the blue that you could possibly make it a cloudy day for that flower. ;) You probably are so much more experienced than i, but if I've given you an idea, I am so thankful to somehow repay your fabulous teaching video. Happy happy is a day of indulging in art work! Love to you and yours... Marcia in Modesto

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you for the tips. I'm using more and more mixed media techniques and adding other mediums in the background would be something I would be more likely to do nowadays if I got frustrated with the medium I'm using. Always experimenting and trying to have fun!

[@jorgeluisramirezpuente207]

I was thinking of some way to put the intense blogs in some godets I thought until I melted it but watching your video I think it would be better to leave it like that. I wanted to know what size the jars are to give it a try. Sorry my English is a translator and I love what you have done congratulations✨🙌🏽☺️

[@Sandrinesgallery]

They are watercolor half pans. I put the links in the video description.

[@jorgeluisramirezpuente207]

@@Sandrinesgallery Thank you it served me a lot. ☺️ Have you tried doing it with the neocolor 2 of Caran d'ache?

[@victorfrausto8956]

Intresting

[@SuperXrunner]

Nice

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you very much.

[@stephenwelham]

Hi use a misting water spray for your washes

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Hi Stephen, thank you for the tip.

[@stephenwelham]

Inktense is more of a sketching medium than a painting medium i have a derwent inktense paint box this is a bit better but inktense blocks in texture is similar to graphs tint pencils and the graphytint paint box try using them with a Pentel water brush and use a magic sponge to clean your brush this is the brushes I mainly ise for plein air sketch books and I use an A5 sketchbook either multi Madeira or watercolour the choice is yours kindest regards Steve

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Many different ways to use a medium.

[@nattyw495]

I found if you make measurements marked on cardboard you can line up each side easier..thank you for video i watched it three times..lol i kept wanting to see if you added bonding like glue arba ic on bottom of inktense to make it stay in pan..but i saw u didnt..

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Usually once you start using them, the water kind of melts the paint into the pan and they usually don't come out.

[@athieliagriffin7957]

I know this was a while ago. But did you find the blocks chalker and less vibrant once dried than the ready made pan sets. Mine dulled out so much they looked like cheap gouache.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

I think both are chalky. Although, it might be the way I use them. Not sure. Maybe they require more water than what I use.

[@PursuingHeaven]

They are water-soluble ink, not watercolors. Once it is wet you have seconds to get it in place before it dries on paper that is why it is easier to apply it in pencil or block form and then activate with water, instead of attempting to paint with it like a watercolor. Your ideal is novel and Derwent stole it and made a small travel palette but I have not bought it for the very reason you just illustrated. I would rather just take a smaller pencil set and a water pen as a travel kit. It does take some time getting used to them but I love them for my thicker coloring books and multi-media projects for the very reason they are not watercolors and dry fast and don't bead the paper much if you use the water sparingly. Also, I find I can layer them with my regular colored pencils as a base coast if I let it dry and my paper has some tooth in it or I apply a little ground or fixative. They are quickly becoming my favorite pencil.

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Thank you for the tips.

[@DCGH27]

I recently got these inktense blocks and the first thing I did was cut out small pieces and put them in small pans. The issue though, its that they swell up because of the water when used like watercolor. Don't know how filling up the pan will be like in the future, but I only placed a small piece and it takes up more than half of the half pan XD

[@Sandrinesgallery]

Interesting to know. I wouldn't fill up the whole thing then. Just give it room to grow.

[@alimcbally2339]

I ABSOLUTELY HATE the inktense blocks, they are really CHALKY.. Definitely not for me, love the pan sets and love the inktense pencil sets... thank you for the review..❤ Your painting turned out beautiful though...

[@Sandrinesgallery]

There's gotta be a way to use them so they don't look so chalky. There's a reason why so many people like them after all. I haven't used them much lately, but definitely need to explore them more. I have a feeling that they look better when you use them just for adding colors to your drawings rather than making a whole painting with layers.