Review and demo for using a HEAT PAD with colored pencils! | Drawing a tulip

[@micheleyoung9292]

Thank you so much for this video! I am so happy I stumbled upon it... I have arthritis and don't want to give up my beloved colored pencils, so I have been experimenting with everything under the sun to make blending easier. I just don't care for Pastelmat and sanded papers, as so many CP artists recommend. This my be the solution, and I can't wait to try it!

[@ruthballardart]

Hi Michele, I'm so glad you did too! It's a real game changer. The only 'con' is the lack of crisp edges, but knowing this in advance is good, as you can then let your work cool down and go in with a freshly sharpened pencil and get the precision you want. Easy. One other thing occurred to me, regarding your arthritis and blending. Have you tried using CP on Dura-Lar? It's a 100% polyester surface. I'm going to create a video about using it with a demo soon. You won't need to burnish on that. And I agree with you on the Pastelmat, it's a bit too gritty for my CP work although I love it with pastel pencils as you can work light over dark, otherwise difficult to achieve. For the reptile mat, I'd recommend getting a large one (like the one in my video) as it'll move around less. Thanks for your comment!

[@micheleyoung9292]

@@ruthballardart Thank you for your reply and for the reminder to let the paper cool to get precision when using the heating pad. :-) I have not tried CP on Dura-Lar but have seen beautiful work done on it. I look forward to seeing your demo video soon!

[@starr-starr]

Wow. That is fantastic. It might even feel good for my arthritic hands. I may order a small one to try with my Polychromos. Beautiful tulip!

[@ruthballardart]

Yes, I more burnishing required! You're going to love it! Let me know how it works with your oil-based Polys. 🙂

[@Art_by_Nicole]

I am so happy that I found your video! Because of the pain in my hands I can’t burnish that much. A heat pad is a fantastic idea!

[@ArtistHabibPasha]

So beautiful drawing 🌹 like this👍

[@sarahclapp4601]

I stumbled upon your channel while looking for color pencil tutorials and how to create a realistic succulent plant. I must explain that, a while ago, I came to KZbin with tears in my eyes, trying to find a cure for colored pencils that, no matter how much I sharpened, would just fall apart. I had lost beautiful, EXPENSIVE pencils to sharpening, my heart breaking with each piece crumbling before me... KZbin creators, of all sorts, explained that, what I was experiencing was a fractured core. Which is common in Prismacolor pencils and other pencils with soft cores. And each creator had their own way to remedy this issue. But all of them listed ways to prevent it from occuring. Number 1 piece of advice - prevent the pencils from dropping AT ALL COSTS. However, as a mom of 3, it's next to impossible. Especially with my youngest, a ninja-like 3 year old, who can manage to obtain my pencils unnoticed, and subsequently toss them away, when he's caught, in an attempt to maintain his innocence. After viewing all the different techniques, I decided to try something I hadn't seen, but still established the same core belief. A way to heat the core, without burning it or it's wood casing, while also not introducing water to the equation. A heating pad. The type used to assist in body ache and pain relief. Placing the pencil in the crease of the fold and leaving it there for a number of minutes, then allowing it to cool, has almost returned my pencil to its brand new condition... After all, I did lose some of it's length to sharpening before I had realized it was fractured. Now, because of your beautiful video, I can purchase this type of heating pad to use during my drawing and coloring that will extend the life of my pencils even further. Plus, I find your videos to be soothing and extremely easy to learn from. Thank you. (I hope you enjoy this comment as much as I did writing it)

[@ruthballardart]

Thank you so much for writing this and I'm so happy that you have found the video and that it was helpful.

[@ml09baker8]

Just ordered the heat pad. Thank you so much and I love your art and teaching!!!

[@ruthballardart]

I just saw your lovely comment. Thank you! Did you try the heat pad and find it useful? I am a few months on from this video but about to begin a classical portrait using the pad.

[@ml09baker8]

@@ruthballardart yes I did :-) definitely a learning curve. I will attempt again. I can’t wait to see more of your future videos, blessings!!!

[@terrieblazek1834]

I second what the lady before me said...that your art is stunning...! I am a new subscriber, but an old artist always eager to learn. Thank you for this video...you are helping a lot of people...

[@ruthballardart]

Thank you so much! I'm glad to be of some help. 🙂 And thank you so much for subscribing!

[@Linda-qq5mg]

Your picture is really beautiful! Thank you for sharing your tips on using the heat pad! I have subscribed!

[@ruthballardart]

Thank you so much Linda. I took a hiatus from YT for a while, but am about to get going with a ton more art videos. Thank you for subscribing!

[@patriciawightman4561]

Ruth..first. your art is gorgeous! Second, you probably don't realize how many people will be helped by this utube because of their physical limitations. Brilliant of you to find an affordable alternative for us all. I'm betting it works with oil based pencils as well. Thank you so much!

[@ruthballardart]

Thank you for writing that nice comment Patricia!

[@1rosalee]

Very articulate and beautiful! Love your work!

[@ruthballardart]

Thanks Dyno!

[@michellehall8734]

Just bought mat. Thanks for video.

[@fleurdeb7803]

Lovely tulip work, Ruth. Thank you so much for trying and demonstrating this for us. You addressed so many bona fide needs of colored pencil artists. I'm among those with hand issues. I try to keep my electrical use down, but at only 20W, this shouldn't be a concern. Is the Tombow electric eraser battery-powered, corded or cordless rechargeable? If it is not battery-powered, what is the wattage? These two could probably both be powered by a solar power bank while traveling by car, backpacking/camping or living off-grid. And that mat would be very welcome in winter! Thanks again. 💖💖💖

[@ruthballardart]

Oh, just saw this comment but wanted to reply. The Tombow eraser that spins in the video has a battery, despite what it shows. It's a Chinese product that says "Electric" on the side, but it does not have a cord or any power. I did not find it helpful when applying it to a warm wax pencils in this video, it just collected pigment. I would suggest allowing your artwork to cool and then gently manually scraping off any excess pigment.

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

Beautiful tulip. Have you tried the brutfuners on the heating pad? Tfs

[@ruthballardart]

I have not. Have you tried them? I think as long as they are wax based, you'll get similar results.

[@RamoArt]

The things people come up with! Just amazing. I would imagine this could also work with hard oil pastels, like neocolor 1s. I think I will give this a try because I often get cold hands while drawing. :) Your drawing turned out beautiful. There is something so timeless and stunning about well done botanical illustrations. I really admire it.

[@ruthballardart]

Thank you for your comment Ramo! It's very satisfying working with heat and easy on the hands. The heat pad will work with wax pastels, but I haven't tried it myself. I've heard good things about the NeoColors. I don't know how they would work with oil pastels, I don't own either. After I made the video, I saw that someone was using a color shaper tool to move the pigment around and blend. These are the silicone tipped tools that have chiseled edges.

[@BuntstiftKunst]

Amazing demonstration. Thank you so much 💗 I must definitly have one of those! I will see how I can get them in germany

[@ruthballardart]

Thank you!

[@ArtorLifeTorB]

🌷very beautiful drawing 🌷 ✨✨wonderful ✍️amazing 🎨✨✨🥰

[@ruthballardart]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@MyCardArt]

Wow, what a concept. Great tips. I did not know this. I like the idea though :)

[@ruthballardart]

Thanks!

[@yuliafeldman2549]

Thank you for your wonderful videos! I got a heating pad and now I am wondering what surface I can use it on.

[@ruthballardart]

You're welcome. With the heat pad I recommend Bristol Smooth or Bristol Vellum. You can also use hot press watercolor paper. Hope you love your pad! 😊

[@spikeybunny6577]

I wonder if you could use a small drop of bright nail polish to mark the dial?

[@ruthballardart]

Genius! I have plenty of polish! 🙂

[@bobnolin9155]

What a great solution!! Thank you! This seems like a genius solution, but price of genius (Icarus) is way out of my price range. Besides the high price, I just know I would end up creasing my drawings on the edge of the Icarus box. I like the reptile pad better, as it's thin.

[@ruthballardart]

You can move the reptile pad throughout your drawing really easily. The thinness is a real bonus as it stacks well in small places.

[@lucygoose6052]

Can you use faber castell? It’s gorgeous!

[@ruthballardart]

I'm not sure as I just tried wax-based pencils.

[@chrisgross8825]

Forgive me, I missed the name of the pad and where it can be purchased.

[@ruthballardart]

Here's a link for it. amzn.to/3cpi6H3 It's 11 x 16.5 inches which is perfect. You can move it around while it's underneath your artwork if you decide to work bigger. It heats up well with the temperature gauge and is fully adjustable. Just make sure you're on a surface that can take heat.

[@Xanderful209]

Wow I’ve always wanted to try the Icarus board this is an amazing alternative thank you so much Update* I received is and I have tried this and it’s simply amazing it’s almost like painting with a stick of butter 🥹 love this and thank your for this tip ❤

[@ruthballardart]

Only just saw this comment. So glad you love it.