Video: Colored Pencils and Gamsol

Hi! Today I have a video showing how to add shading and highlights to a stamped image with colored pencils and gamsol. It is very easy to do!

[All supplies are linked in the thumbnails at the end of this post. To watch the video on YouTube, click HERE.]

A very easy way to add the look of dimension to a solid stamped image is with added coloring on top. I have showed this in the past with Copic Markers (click HERE for a video), but today I wanted to show how to use colored pencils and gamsol. I personally think the combination of colored pencils and gamsol makes for the easiest coloring there is. This video doesn’t really showcase that much since it is subtle coloring we are doing, but it does give you an idea of how fun it is! (Click HERE for another video with basic coloring.)

For this apple image from Clearly Besotted, I first stamped with Hero Arts Pale Tomato Shadow Ink and then added just some quick shading and highlighting with Prismacolor pencils. I then used a paper stump and gamsol to blend it together. Fast. Simple. Easy. And what a difference it makes! (I mentioned in the video but wanted to say it again here – I really like the gamsol from Inky Antics because you can’t spill it and it is contained. I have used this for MANY years.)

And oh my goodness – check out that background! Looks like I spent a ton of time but I totally faked it with the help of the Lil Inkers Quilted Stitch die. I am head over heels in love with this die. 100%. And that heart? I used the large Nesting Hearts die set from Little B. Fun, huh? The “thanks” die cut is from Lawn Fawn… along with silver glitter paper from DCWV. (Warning: Many of the dies I used on this card are loved by others, too, and hard to find in stock. I did ask the stores and they have reordered and are waiting for more to ship!)

A few other things from this video:

  • I gave a peek at three Little B die sets: Nesting Hearts, Block Out and Handwritten. I wasn’t sure the quality would be good enough with this low price point but I was impressed!
  • For a video showing quickly how to color images with colored pencils and gamsol, click HERE. (I promise to do a better, more in depth video on gamsol soon.)
  • I used Prismacolor pencils here. However, the Spectrum Noir pencils are a less expensive option.

SUPPLIES

Below are the products featured above. Click on the letters below the picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), Dick Blick (DB), Clearly Besotted (CB), Lil Inker (LI), and Amazon (AZ)…

 

 

 

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( SSS | EH )

 

 

 

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(SSS | EH | AZ)

 

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | AZ )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

 

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | EH )

 

 

 

 


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41 thoughts on “Video: Colored Pencils and Gamsol”

  1. Roz R says:

    I LOVE hearts, and this die cut set looks awesome. I really like the background die also. I am a HUGE fan of Gamsol. I tried Copics, didn’t like them, went back to Gamsol, and have not once regretted it. I am putting word dies on my wish list.
    Thanks for another great card, full of ideas.

  2. Libby says:

    Colored pencils & gamsol are my very favorite way to color – love to see you using them!

  3. anja curvers says:

    Awesome card once again and great products, thanks for showing.

  4. Celeste Goff says:

    Great technique Jennifer! I adore that pretty background die and those pretty hearts from Little B. I have added them to my wish list.

  5. Diana Nguyen says:

    Perfectly darling card! I just got a wink of stella pen- all because of your videos!

  6. I always love when you introduce new products … I tend to have tunnel vision when it comes to buying products and stick with the companies I’ve always used. There are soooo many different companies out there now, that I’m overwhelmed. You help me a little bit at a time to learn about the products they carry and to narrow down my searches. Thx!

  7. Oh! Forgot to ask … what brand of bone folder do you use? I like that straight end. Is that the one that comes with the Martha Stewart score board?

    1. i use a separate one – linked in my blog post.

  8. Amanda says:

    I always appreciate your simple cards! They’re something even I can do 🙂

    (And whatever you touch must turn to gold – or at least whatever you link 😉 LOL…..lots of out of stock when I click the links)

  9. Jingle says:

    I really like this card! Those Little B dies are so fabulous! I have one set, but I totally need to add more to my stash!

  10. Becky Green says:

    Everytime I see one of your video’s Jennifer, I think to myself, “I want THAT!” LOL So, I am going to set up an account with SSS & start putting things in my WISH LIST!!! My B.D. is this coming month! It will be EASY SHOPPING for my hubby! LOL 😀

    LOOOOOOVE your card!!!! AND ALL of your Tips & Tricks! ;D

  11. Kathryn A says:

    Love your card! And I love the dies you’ve used!! Is there any way that SSS could get the heart dies in? Their shipping rates to Canada are SO much better than EH…

    1. they have them – will add link. but out of stock.

  12. Priscilla Joseph says:

    Jennifer, please explain the difference, if any, between gamsol and the liquid in the Dove Blending Pen. Thanks!

    1. gamsol works MUCH better.

  13. Kathryn A says:

    Hi again. I just checked SSS and it looks like they do carry the Little B hearts. (You do not have a link to the SSS store, so I’m wondering if they are, indeed, the same dies?)

    1. yes, the same. i will add the link.

      1. Kathryn A says:

        Thanks, Jennifer!

  14. Vicki Smith says:

    Fun card as usual. You are gifted and a lovely person to share so much of your time sharing these videos. I have to say I have learned so much the past 9 months since I started using the Internet and watching your amazing talent. Thank you!!

  15. Deb K says:

    I’m going to give gambol another try! Thanks for the video.

  16. Janice says:

    I LOVE gamsol – I still dont blend well with the copic so gamsol is my #1!

  17. Nancy says:

    Love, love, love your videos! You move right along, no hem-hawing and supplies are always ready. You are a real Pro! The video using pencils to high-light stamping is so clever. I never thought to do this. Thank you!!!

  18. Suzi Metcalfe says:

    I always learn so much from you! Thanks!

  19. Michelle Rasmussen says:

    Love this! Great project and tutorial!!

  20. Kim Sharabba says:

    I have to say. I have the Little B block words you showed. It has NEARLY every letter of the Alphabet and i used them to create ‘the world is your oyster” in a graduation card. They’re the perfect size!!! I also have the hearts and LOVE THEM. This card is so darn cute and I REALLY like that background die ….

  21. Kim Sharabba says:

    I have to say. I have the Little B block words you showed. It has NEARLY every letter of the Alphabet and i used them to create ‘the world is your oyster” in a graduation card. They’re the perfect size!!! I also have the hearts and LOVE THEM. This card is so darn cute and I REALLY like that background die ….

  22. janet Wilson says:

    Wonderful card – LOVE it 🙂

  23. TB says:

    Really like both the background and heart dies. I really appreciate being introduced to new products like these because no stores around my area carry anything but the most commercial brands.

  24. Wonderful, as always. thanks for showing us more great tips and techniques.

  25. Marianne says:

    Wonderful card and those heart dies are awesome!

  26. Betty Meyskens says:

    Super cute card! The dies from Little B look fantastic – definitely going to look them up.

  27. Loralee Parish says:

    Quick question for you Jennifer,
    What is the difference between Adirondack acrylic paint dabbers vs. the new distress paint? I only know of the obvious differences in color selections. Is the quality of acrylic paint different too?
    I love watching all your quality YouTube videos.
    Awaiting your reply,
    Loralee

  28. Jennifer N. says:

    Cute card. Perfect for a teacher thank you.

  29. TracyM #6773 says:

    FUN card Jennifer 🙂
    LOVE the dies you used and LOVED your video too – THANK YOU for ALWAYS INSPIRING me!!!

  30. Chrisann says:

    Another fabulous tutorial. I enjoy your work so, so much!

  31. Caroline B. says:

    Thanks for the reminder about colored pencils and Gamsol. I never thought about coloring on TOP of stamped images, though, brilliant! Love the heart dies with the xxx border. Sweet!

  32. Vithya says:

    A fun card, and great tips as usual 🙂 I am in love with the Little B dies. Too bad they are out of stock.

    Jennifer, how tall are the dies in the cursive set? I find no details regarding the dimesions in the store.

    Thanks,
    Vithya

  33. LOVE LOVE LOVE This Jennifer!! =) THANKS for sharing and have a Fabulous Week!! =)

  34. Holly Saveur says:

    gorgeous card..and love the dies!

  35. Laura Norris says:

    Another great card Jennifer! And thanks for showing a great way to get shading with colored pencils. I haven’t taken the Copic plunge yet, but love the shaded look. Now I can do that with my colored pencils!! I have used the blender pen before, but this looks like it would be even better. Can you use the Fantastix to blend with gamsol?

  36. Carol Mc says:

    Love the card & techniques you used. Thanks
    for sharing.

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