Water soluble Inktense Pencils and Inktense Blocks are a great investment in your toolbox of needed supplies.
First things first, let’s get organized with the Inktense products. Starting with the pencils set, I used a permanent marker and marked every pencil slot with a color number. Each pencil has a color code on it but you might need a magnifying glass to read the code. So, how will you know which color “Red” you want again if you don’t know how to find it?
After I marked all the pencil slots with a pencil color code, I created a color chart. I listed the number beside each color so now, I can pick the color I want, know what number it is and where it is in the pencil tray.
Each color has been drawn on a large piece of cotton fabric which has been pressed to the shiny side of freezer paper. I wet a paint brush with Textile Medium and wet one side of each color to see how the color looked when wet and when dry.
I also marked a “P” next to each color number to indicate these where the colors from the Inktense pencils not the blocks. In the picture are the basic brushes I use with Inktense products.
Next, I pulled out the Inktense Blocks. I bought the biggest tray they offer because I knew I would be using the blocks more often than the pencils.
Each block of color has a slot with the number engraved in it. But, that would not help when I am in the middle of the creative moment and want a specific color. So, I took the time to label each color block.
This was genius as a time saver and a way to select exactly what color I wanted.
Then, I did the same color chart with the blocks that I did with the pencils. After charting the numbers next to each color, I wet the colored fabric with a dab of textile medium. It helps to look at the difference between wet and dry Inktense blocks.
Now, I can more accurately decide which colors are the exact color I was wanting on my art quilt.
I tested different color combinations on cotton fabric pressed to freezer paper before moving on to the quilt block for my art quilt.
Once I was satisfied with the color choices, I could begin coloring the fabric tiles for the art quilt. The bright strong colors add so much to an art quilt.
I only use Textile Medium mixed with the Inktense products, not water. I like the ability to control the color the textile medium gives me. I don’t have to worry about color running outside lines or bleeding into another color when I use textile medium with the pencils or blocks.
Once the inktense products dry they are permanently colored to the fabric. I do heat set the colored area, just out of habit. But, you should not have to worry about the color running, etc. once the color is dried.
It is best to test any fabric and Inktense products before starting your art quilt.
This is just one way I use the Inktense products. Watch for my You Tube videos on creating with Inktense products.
