2 Videos: Clean Color Real Brush Markers + Giveaway!

Hello! Today I have two videos. The first gives an intro to the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and the second shows 6 ways to use them. There is a lot of info… but I think you will really like this product!

[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the videos in HD on YouTube, click HERE and HERE.]

VIDEO 1: INTRO TO PENS

VIDEO 2: SIX WAYS TO USE PENS

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens are very unique. They have an actual brush tip with a water-based ink inside. You can blend the colors effortlessly with or without water, so there are many fun techniques they can be used for.

For any and all techniques with the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens, I highly recommend using watercolor paper. My favorites are the Tim Holtz (4.25″ x 5.5″) and Ranger (8.5″ x 11″) papers… which are the same exact paper but in different sizes. The ink in the pens simply blends better on watercolor paper.

If you are interested in seeing the options available for purchasing these pens, you can check the thumbnails at the end of this post. You can get them individually at Ellen Hutson or in packs at Simon Says Stamp (they will have more options next week) or Amazon. They are also available at Dick Blick. I would recommend picking colors and getting them individually or make an investment and try the 36 pack. However, the 12 or 24 would be great, too!

Here is a closer look at 6 different ways to use the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.

#1: BASIC WATERCOLOR

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens are fantastic for basic watercolor. Simply lay down a bit of color and use water and a brush (I like a waterbrush) to pull the color to blend in an area. While the paper is still wet, you can bring the pen tip back to add more color – it will not damage it. This is by far the best experience I have had with watercolor – very easy to control and blend. If you want more of a watercolor look, you can use more water to blend. I like having the option! (Yes, I still like my Peerless and Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors. This is just another option.)

#2: SHIMMER WATERCOLOR

A fun way to make the first technique even more fun is to use a Wink of Stella shimmer pen to “watercolor” instead of water. The bit of added “thickness” in the Wink of Stella fluid allows even more control than a waterbrush… and results in gorgeous shine. (By the way… if your Wink of Stella runs out, simply add more water and you can give it more life. A lot of the shimmer settles and can be “revived” with the added water.) You can also use any shimmer mist you may have on hand with a brush.

#3: SOFT WATERCOLOR

I have always struggled to get super soft watercolor looks. However, the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens are available in very light colors. Therefore, you don’t have to add a ton of water to get a soft look. Or you can put down just a tiny bit (thanks to the fine tip) of bold color and blend it out to be soft.

#4: MULTI-COLOR WATERCOLOR

Blending two different colors with water is also very simple with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens. I can’t even begin to describe how effortless this is. I use this technique a lot when I am on the go.

#5: NO-WATER BLENDING

Love the look of Copic Markers but struggle with blending or the high cost? The Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens can be used *without* water, also… with wonderful blending capabilities. Check out the bold color and smooth blending. I am so tickled by how this works. This technique is a huge reason why these pens are so very unique from others.

#6: NO-WATER MULTI-COLOR BLENDING

It is even possible to blend multiple colors without water when using the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens.

Fun, huh?

I finished off all six cards by die cutting the stamped piece with the WPlus9 Love Showers tag die. I created 5.5″ x 3.75″ notecards and stamped either the new Hero Arts 6×6 Woodgrain or Forest Floor backgrounds. Since the card is narrow, the tag can hang off the edge but still fit in an envelope.

CLEAN COLOR REAL BRUSH COLORS

There are 80 colors of Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens available… which can be bought individually or in packs of 4, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60. (See thumbnails below for the various sources that have these available.) These pens are not super cheap (although they are less than half the price of Copic) but you do not need many to have a great experience with them.

Below are ink swatches of the colors included in the Clean Color Real Brush 48 pack. (Once I receive all the 80 colors, I will share my updated swatches. I bought them all so I can share them with you.) My favorites? 28, 25, 22, 50, 41, 36, 37, 94, 64, and 65.

NOTE

As always, I was not paid, sponsored or even asked to do this post about this product. As a thank you for using many of their other products, Zig had sent me 12 Clean Color Real Brush Pens to try. I fell head over heels immediately and purchased the 48 pack on my own. I assure you that my excitement about product stems completely in their quality and unique properties… and that they are so easy to use that I feel like a “real artist.” 🙂

GIVEAWAY

When I told the folks at Zig that I really enjoy this product, they said I could give a 24 pack of Clean Color Real Brush Pens away to a lucky winner! For your chance, leave a comment here by 11:59pmEST on 5/20/15 telling me your favorite tool for coloring (watercolor, Copics, etc). (The winner’s name will be randomly selected and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)

SUPPLIES

Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), Dick Blick (DB), Amazon (AZ), etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
( EH | AZ )

 

 

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CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

 

CLICK A SHOP:
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CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS )

 

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CLICK A SHOP:
( SSS | AZ )

 


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1,428 thoughts on “2 Videos: Clean Color Real Brush Markers + Giveaway!”

  1. These pens look so easy to use and the best part is they are travel friendly I would love to be able to grab a bunch of stamped images and the pens and relax in the sun coloring the images on my break. Thank you for the info on a great product

  2. I really love your explanation of using the zig clean brush markers, the shading and blending is beautiful. I use water color pencils and a water brush, but these zig pens do it so effortlessly and such a beautiful job.
    Thank for the video and the explanation on how to use these pens.
    Louise

  3. I love love love your video. I bought this set at a stampin show 3 days ago, my first water color experience. I have wanted to do this for a while and you make it look easy. I will sign up for your blog! This is the best site! Thanks!

  4. Just got my Zig pens and I am super glad you did this video. I also love the bird image. Thank you.

  5. My favorite markers are copics because they blend so well but the odor makes me sick! I’m really impressed with the zigs that u demonstrated especially because of the brush tips.

  6. My favorite tool for coloring now is my Copic Markers. As I have quite a few of those, I debated whether I needed these pens;, but after watching your videos and seeing the amazing shading you did with seemly little effort, I am hooked. I think I’ll start with the 24 set and then add individual colors I think I might use most.

  7. Holy cow! You have 1400 comments here!
    I just received my 60 count set this week and I’m so excited! I’ve not been able to master watercoloring yet, so I’m hoping these Zigs will help.
    Have you had any trouble with the ink drying before you get to blend it? There were a few times that I wondered that while watching the videos.
    I’m bookmarking your tutes so I can return later to watch again!

  8. Do you have a list of combos you like to use for blending on these images:
    1 – flowers (reds, orange/yellow)
    2 – blues
    3 – greenery/leaves
    4 – boy hair (blonde, red and brown haired girls)
    5 – girl hair (blonde, red and brown haired girls)
    6 – any other combos I have overlooked above
    Oddly, the company who manufacturers the Zig clean color brush markers does not have any chart or suggestions for blending certain colors.

  9. Just got a set of 60! so excited to try them. Right now I am putting colors on the tops (although they have color discs on the bottom–not sure whey on only one end! Are these markers meant to be stored on their sides or up and down? thank you for the video–you always have super presentations, full of great information and tips, and beautiful creative projects.

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  11. Thank you for the chance to win. My friends have these pens and love them. It would be great to get my own. They are amazing.

    thanks

    Kim

  12. I would like to try these water color pens–they look easy. I have been afraid to try this type of water coloring but have watched many videos and this looks like the best. Jennifer your make things like this look so easy maybe i can do this.

  13. Jennifer …. I must tell you that these two videos have honestly made me completely eager to get to play soon with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens!! Declining vision for a few different reasons have stolen the joy of most card making from me … but now that I’ve played at trying to color today, then finding your videos … I just know that once I can see better through upcoming procedures, this is going to be colorful & hopefully exciting to explore! Thank you bunches!
    ~Bev

  14. Wow…these all came out so beautiful. I have these pens but wasn’t sure about the best way to use them. I’ve been way too heavy handed with them. You’ve answered all of my questions. I’m going to practice all six techniques to help me “master” the fine art of water coloring. I like the idea of embossing the image to keep the colors from running into each other and keeping the lines crisp. I have tried several black inks that aren’t supposed to run…but, for me, they do. Embossing is a sure thing. OK…back to watching some of your other videos. You are such a delight to watch and listen to. Love your “Crafty Things” videos. Finally got a teflon bone folder. I won’t use any other bone folder ever again. Thanks for all you do to help us be better crafters.

  15. I really enjoyed your videos. I use watercolors and colored pencils for coloring, but I really like the effects you get so easily using the Zig pens. I will be sure to try some of them in the near future. Thanks so much for sharing!!

  16. I too love these pens ..they’re wonderful to blend. My granddaughter looks at my set and always asks if she could have some. Your giveaway would be awesome for her. Thanks for the chance !

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