Mailing List
In the left column there is a "Mailing List" form where you can add your e-mail address for future updates to this and the CPP website. I'm astonished at the volume of visitors these sites get and understand/appreciate the interest very much, if you would like for me to contact you when there are updates, you're invited to add your e-mail to the list. Thanks!
Fine Art Card - Master Study
Colored Pencil and Gouache on Colourfix Pastel Paper
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches
SOLD, this miniature is a study of a painting by Martin Johnson Heade, Apple Blossoms and Hummingbird, circa 1871.
This is what I was working on in this CP CAM shot.
Colorless Blender Pencils
These lovely blending pencils have no pigment (or color), one made by Rembrandt Lyra and the other by Sanford Prismacolor (PC 1077).
The Prismacolor Blender is wax based and blends Prismacolor Colored Pencils very nicely [1st square above]. During testing, I found that the Lyra Splender Blender works equally well with either wax based or oil based colored pencils [1st & 4th square above]. The Prismacolor Blender removed some pigment when used with oil based pencils and lightened the color considerably [3rd square]. Bare in mind that I just tested on one kind of paper, it may perform differently on various surfaces. The Lyra Splender Blender completely blends Prismacolor Colored Pencils (wax based) [2nd square] but when used with Caran d'Ache Pablo Colored Pencils (oil based) it lightens the colors or pigment on the paper as well as blends [4th square].
Prismacolor Blender Pencil:
- Goes down smooth like the colored pencils, but the composition is harder
- Works well with wax based colored pencils, but not as well with oil based colored pencils
Rembrandt Lyra Splender Blender:
- A little chalkier, not gritty but drier
- Works well with wax based and oil based colored pencils
* These blenders are more effective when you have multiple layers or a thicker application of pigment on your surface
* Both blenders work better with blunt points, sharp points can make unwanted indentations in the paper because you push harder when using the blenders to blend pigments together
* Clean the tips if you move from one color to another area with different color, they tend to keep a bit of pigment on their tips during and after blending
After using blenders extensively earlier this year, I was almost sure there was no oil in the Lyra Splender Blender because it seems so dry, so I wrote to the Lyra pencil company at Lyra.de and asked them about it. Their Chief Chemist, kindly responded that "...the Splender pencil is on a similar base like the Polycolor Color Pencils, which are oil based. The Splender Pencil additionally contains a so called functional filler providing the required properties."
I did some research on the Internet about functional fillers, it was hard to find a lot of information, but from what I did read, it makes sense and is quite fascinating and clever.
These blenders are available online individually as well as in art supply stores that sell open stock pencils.
History of the Lyra pencil company
Sunshiny Day!
For what seemed like the first time all week, the sun was shining brightly late this afternoon!
