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Tomorrow is October 1 and a new linky list for the month will go up. Can you believe that we've been at this since January?! That's nine months down and just three months left before this year-long project comes to a close. Wow! That means there are just 13 Art Journal Every Day posts left. Who knows where the next three months will take us? I'm looking forward to finding out!
Today we have an awesome guest post from Dion Dior.
Tutorial: Neocolor II & The Sweet Child
Hi everyone, Dion Dior here. I’m so excited to be this week’s guest blogger for the very talented Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. I’m an avid follower of Balzer Designs and a very willing participant in Art Journal Every Day. I was thrilled when Julie asked me to share some of my Neocolor II secrets with you. These little sticks of lusciousness are one of my favorite mediums and I use them all the time, often in harmony with other mediums. They’re perfect for art journaling and can really make a page POP. Caran d’Ache, the makers of Neocolor II’s produce a wide range of artist materials, but these little water soluble crayon sticks are by far their best product.
For those of you who know me and follow my blog, you’ll know that I have an ongoing love affair with color. I don’t feel like a journal or sketchbook page is complete unless it’s jumping off the page with color and brilliance. I particularly like vibrant color on a dark or black background; I often spread my journal pages with black gesso as a base layer. Not all color mediums work on black and even less work on black gesso, but after years of playing around I found a way to make the Neocolor II’s work for me.
I started this page with a basic pencil sketch over black gesso, which I let dry completely, usually overnight. The next step is to go over the pencil lines with masking fluid. Keep the lines basic and eliminate the detail. Masking fluid can be a challenge to control and it’s better when you are not trying to put down fine detail. There are many masking fluids around and in this case, I used “Incredible White Mask Liquid Frisket.” Don’t use a paintbrush to apply it; you’ll destroy it with one dip, use a special nib or a skewer or stick of some kind.
Once the masking fluid is completely dry, you’re ready to put in some color. Writing with the Neocolor II for any small spaces will drive you crazy. You’ll find that the frisket is volatile and will peel up with a firm sweep of the crayon. Instead, dip your brush in water and wash it thoroughly over the tip of the crayon. This way you’ll pick up the pigment and will be able to lay it down like paint. Gesso is not traditionally ‘water’ medium friendly so if you use too much water it’ll bead up. The more pigment you use, and the less water you have the better chance you have of getting the color to stick to the page. Lay down a first layer of color this way, with particular emphasis on the edges of the frisket. Just paint right over the top of it, it won’t bleed through.
Once you’ve put down your first layer of color, you may notice that it looks kind of washy and transparent. Don’t worry; this is only the first layer. When it’s dry, take your crayons and star coloring in. Be careful to avoid touching or sweeping the frisket or you’ll lift it up. Lay the colors down thick, play around with combinations and textures. Pick up a brush and with minimal water, wet and blend the colors. If it washes out too much, just wait for it to dry and lay down more color with the crayon.
When you’re happy with the colors and consistency, you can put in the background. In this case, I used Folk Art Metallic Acrylic paint. It’s a wonderful contrast to the crayons. It’s shimmery and makes the vibrant matte of the Neocolor’s literally POP off the page. Put down your first layer with a paintbrush, then grab a sponge and lightly and gently work your background with a contrasting color. When it’s all completely dry grab your clean sponge, dip it in some more metallic paint, and start sponging it over the crayon. I used a combination of amethyst and peridot. Be very careful as too much acrylic over the crayon could ruin the picture and if you’re too heavy handed, the wet acrylic paint will react with the Neocolor and swoosh it around. Subtlety is the key here.
When it’s all dry, use an eraser or a silicone remover, which sometimes comes with the frisket, and remove the mask. Be very gentle and light. The mask will come off just by peeling it back with your fingers, and if you’re too heavy handed you’ll smear the crayon into the black lines. Gently clean it up once all the mask is removed. Sometimes I go along the edges with a gel pen and sometimes I don’t. Most pens won’t write over the crayon, it just clogs the nib, but I’ve found certain Sakura Gelly Roll gel pens will write over it quite nicely. I often use a dark metallic gel pen or something in the silver or gold range, depending what I am trying to achieve.
I find that less is more when it comes to using Neocolor II’s on black, and when I say less I don’t mean with the layering of the Neocolor’s. I mean with the layering of other mediums on and around them. These crayons are so brilliant in their own right that you only need to enhance and highlight, not overwhelm. However, you need to play around with them yourself, get to know what they can do. They are truly a ‘must have’ for any art journaler and I guarantee that once you get to know them, you won’t be able to live without them.
For more examples of my work using Neocolor II’s check out my blog and flickr pages. I’m also on Facebook, and always ready to welcome new friends.
xx Dion.
Born and raised by the ocean in Australia, Dion now lives in rural Iowa where her attempts at growing a veggie garden are disastrous. An artists, writer and self-styled adventurer, she believes her art journey begins and begins again. Dion spent years travelling the world as a woman alone, painting, sketching and writing about her life-changing experiences. She met her husband on the roof of the world while trekking to Mt Everest Base Camp and they now share the greatest journey in life with their two children. Her work, held in private collections around the world, is known for its color and vibrancy, and her journals and sketchbooks are filled with luscious, vibrant, shimmering pages.
Please visit Dion's blog.
I enjoy very much discovering new artists. Love the vibrant colors. Thanks for taking the time to do these posts. Have a nice day.
I enjoy very much discovering new artists. Love the vibrant colors. Thanks for taking the time to do these posts. Have a nice day.
I enjoy very much discovering new artists. Love the vibrant colors. Thanks for taking the time to do these posts. Have a nice day.
I enjoy very much discovering new artists. Love the vibrant colors. Thanks for taking the time to do these posts. Have a nice day.
hi Dion
my favourite thing in the world artwise too! they are so well, just delicious crayons, really buttery and beautiful to use. I discovered them in the 90s maybe at at the school of art here, years ago and then had a major piece of luck at my local art shop last year and bought out most of their remaindered stock – they were doing their end of fin/year stuff so lucky for me! I”ve just always had a few around, and paint/smudge/ roll em about the place. Color is it!
thanks for your beautiful image and description of making it. have a lovely weekend there, all of you!
hi Dion
my favourite thing in the world artwise too! they are so well, just delicious crayons, really buttery and beautiful to use. I discovered them in the 90s maybe at at the school of art here, years ago and then had a major piece of luck at my local art shop last year and bought out most of their remaindered stock – they were doing their end of fin/year stuff so lucky for me! I”ve just always had a few around, and paint/smudge/ roll em about the place. Color is it!
thanks for your beautiful image and description of making it. have a lovely weekend there, all of you!
hi Dion
my favourite thing in the world artwise too! they are so well, just delicious crayons, really buttery and beautiful to use. I discovered them in the 90s maybe at at the school of art here, years ago and then had a major piece of luck at my local art shop last year and bought out most of their remaindered stock – they were doing their end of fin/year stuff so lucky for me! I”ve just always had a few around, and paint/smudge/ roll em about the place. Color is it!
thanks for your beautiful image and description of making it. have a lovely weekend there, all of you!
hi Dion
my favourite thing in the world artwise too! they are so well, just delicious crayons, really buttery and beautiful to use. I discovered them in the 90s maybe at at the school of art here, years ago and then had a major piece of luck at my local art shop last year and bought out most of their remaindered stock – they were doing their end of fin/year stuff so lucky for me! I”ve just always had a few around, and paint/smudge/ roll em about the place. Color is it!
thanks for your beautiful image and description of making it. have a lovely weekend there, all of you!
Beautiful! Love the vibrancy of those colors on black. Thank you for sharing your techniques and process with us, and introducing me to products I had no idea existed. That mask liquid is so cool! Now, off to your blog to get lost in more of your amazing art!
Beautiful! Love the vibrancy of those colors on black. Thank you for sharing your techniques and process with us, and introducing me to products I had no idea existed. That mask liquid is so cool! Now, off to your blog to get lost in more of your amazing art!
Beautiful! Love the vibrancy of those colors on black. Thank you for sharing your techniques and process with us, and introducing me to products I had no idea existed. That mask liquid is so cool! Now, off to your blog to get lost in more of your amazing art!
Beautiful! Love the vibrancy of those colors on black. Thank you for sharing your techniques and process with us, and introducing me to products I had no idea existed. That mask liquid is so cool! Now, off to your blog to get lost in more of your amazing art!
Wonderful post, thank you! Love the bright colors with the black gesso. Thanks for the great tips!
Wonderful post, thank you! Love the bright colors with the black gesso. Thanks for the great tips!
Wonderful post, thank you! Love the bright colors with the black gesso. Thanks for the great tips!
Wonderful post, thank you! Love the bright colors with the black gesso. Thanks for the great tips!
A very fun tutorial, and such great examples. I too love and adore the colours of these watersoluble crayons, they are yummy! Thanks for sharing!
A very fun tutorial, and such great examples. I too love and adore the colours of these watersoluble crayons, they are yummy! Thanks for sharing!
A very fun tutorial, and such great examples. I too love and adore the colours of these watersoluble crayons, they are yummy! Thanks for sharing!
A very fun tutorial, and such great examples. I too love and adore the colours of these watersoluble crayons, they are yummy! Thanks for sharing!
I do have a box of caran d’ache watersoluble crayons, and I use them often – but I don’t know that much about them. I learned a lot from this post, thanks Dion!!!
I do have a box of caran d’ache watersoluble crayons, and I use them often – but I don’t know that much about them. I learned a lot from this post, thanks Dion!!!
I do have a box of caran d’ache watersoluble crayons, and I use them often – but I don’t know that much about them. I learned a lot from this post, thanks Dion!!!
I do have a box of caran d’ache watersoluble crayons, and I use them often – but I don’t know that much about them. I learned a lot from this post, thanks Dion!!!
You Talented Woman!
How I Love Every Single Thing You Do!
So Proud Of You!
Blessings Friend!
Patty Apple/Lula Pomme
You Talented Woman!
How I Love Every Single Thing You Do!
So Proud Of You!
Blessings Friend!
Patty Apple/Lula Pomme
You Talented Woman!
How I Love Every Single Thing You Do!
So Proud Of You!
Blessings Friend!
Patty Apple/Lula Pomme
You Talented Woman!
How I Love Every Single Thing You Do!
So Proud Of You!
Blessings Friend!
Patty Apple/Lula Pomme
Thank you so very much! Great post!
Thank you so very much! Great post!
Thank you so very much! Great post!
Thank you so very much! Great post!
I think you are Busy Bee in Toronto tomorrow, I can’t stay and play, but hopefully i can drop in and wave to you-I’ll flash a peace sign to you! I live in Kingston, and every chance i get I stop in when I’m in Toronto and get what I can’t get (lots!) in Kingston. I’m helping my DD move, sadly further away from BB, but hopefully i can still make it in the future! Love your stencils!!
I think you are Busy Bee in Toronto tomorrow, I can’t stay and play, but hopefully i can drop in and wave to you-I’ll flash a peace sign to you! I live in Kingston, and every chance i get I stop in when I’m in Toronto and get what I can’t get (lots!) in Kingston. I’m helping my DD move, sadly further away from BB, but hopefully i can still make it in the future! Love your stencils!!
I think you are Busy Bee in Toronto tomorrow, I can’t stay and play, but hopefully i can drop in and wave to you-I’ll flash a peace sign to you! I live in Kingston, and every chance i get I stop in when I’m in Toronto and get what I can’t get (lots!) in Kingston. I’m helping my DD move, sadly further away from BB, but hopefully i can still make it in the future! Love your stencils!!
I think you are Busy Bee in Toronto tomorrow, I can’t stay and play, but hopefully i can drop in and wave to you-I’ll flash a peace sign to you! I live in Kingston, and every chance i get I stop in when I’m in Toronto and get what I can’t get (lots!) in Kingston. I’m helping my DD move, sadly further away from BB, but hopefully i can still make it in the future! Love your stencils!!
Julie, thank you so so much for having me on your blog today. It’s been wonderful hearing from lots of new people. Thank you to everyone for your comments to me both here and on “Dion Dior & More” What a fun day I’ve had.
xx Dion.
Julie, thank you so so much for having me on your blog today. It’s been wonderful hearing from lots of new people. Thank you to everyone for your comments to me both here and on “Dion Dior & More” What a fun day I’ve had.
xx Dion.
Julie, thank you so so much for having me on your blog today. It’s been wonderful hearing from lots of new people. Thank you to everyone for your comments to me both here and on “Dion Dior & More” What a fun day I’ve had.
xx Dion.
Julie, thank you so so much for having me on your blog today. It’s been wonderful hearing from lots of new people. Thank you to everyone for your comments to me both here and on “Dion Dior & More” What a fun day I’ve had.
xx Dion.
I have never used these. Stunning art and easy to follow instructions…thanks for guest blogging!
I have never used these. Stunning art and easy to follow instructions…thanks for guest blogging!
I have never used these. Stunning art and easy to follow instructions…thanks for guest blogging!
I have never used these. Stunning art and easy to follow instructions…thanks for guest blogging!
it all came out wonderfully! And I can see it’s a long process. Patience is golden! {:-D
it all came out wonderfully! And I can see it’s a long process. Patience is golden! {:-D
it all came out wonderfully! And I can see it’s a long process. Patience is golden! {:-D
it all came out wonderfully! And I can see it’s a long process. Patience is golden! {:-D
Thanks for sharing your techniques!! I love learning new stuff & products. I stumbled on this blog & think I haave found a new fav!! TFS!!!
Thanks for sharing your techniques!! I love learning new stuff & products. I stumbled on this blog & think I haave found a new fav!! TFS!!!
Thanks for sharing your techniques!! I love learning new stuff & products. I stumbled on this blog & think I haave found a new fav!! TFS!!!
Thanks for sharing your techniques!! I love learning new stuff & products. I stumbled on this blog & think I haave found a new fav!! TFS!!!
Hi Dion,
I love the vivid colors. I am going to try these crayons. Thank you for sharing
Hi Dion,
I love the vivid colors. I am going to try these crayons. Thank you for sharing
Hi Dion,
I love the vivid colors. I am going to try these crayons. Thank you for sharing
Hi Dion,
I love the vivid colors. I am going to try these crayons. Thank you for sharing
I bought a set of these colors years ago to do face painting for my kids on Halloween and whenever they could talk me into it at other times. Wow, this is such a cool new use of them (the crayons that is) for me. Thanks so much!
I bought a set of these colors years ago to do face painting for my kids on Halloween and whenever they could talk me into it at other times. Wow, this is such a cool new use of them (the crayons that is) for me. Thanks so much!
I bought a set of these colors years ago to do face painting for my kids on Halloween and whenever they could talk me into it at other times. Wow, this is such a cool new use of them (the crayons that is) for me. Thanks so much!
I bought a set of these colors years ago to do face painting for my kids on Halloween and whenever they could talk me into it at other times. Wow, this is such a cool new use of them (the crayons that is) for me. Thanks so much!
Thanks for the step by step instruction. I never think to start with black gesso! It looks like such a lovely surface.
Thanks for the step by step instruction. I never think to start with black gesso! It looks like such a lovely surface.
Thanks for the step by step instruction. I never think to start with black gesso! It looks like such a lovely surface.
Thanks for the step by step instruction. I never think to start with black gesso! It looks like such a lovely surface.
A great step by step. Feeling inspired!
A great step by step. Feeling inspired!
A great step by step. Feeling inspired!
A great step by step. Feeling inspired!
Waw!!!!! Fantastic post. Love the vibrant colors !!!!!
Waw!!!!! Fantastic post. Love the vibrant colors !!!!!
Waw!!!!! Fantastic post. Love the vibrant colors !!!!!
Waw!!!!! Fantastic post. Love the vibrant colors !!!!!