Blending Prismacolor Pencils

[Blind]

Can anyone tell me how you would go about blending Prismacolor Pencils? They don't seem very friendly to a blending stump or tortillon being as waxy as they are. I really like the colors they lay down, but I'd like to be able to push them a round a little more, if you know what I mean. Anyone have any tips?
:confused:

[Blind]

Hmmm... just found this on the Dick Blick site. The Prismacolor Blender (http://www.dickblick.com/zz205/08a/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=3820). I didn't know such a thing existed. I wonder how it works. Anyone ever try one? At a mighty $0.99 USD, I think I'll just pick one up and experiment.
:cool:

[Blind]

I feel like I'm in an empty room here, but that's ok :cool:

I picked up a Prismacolor Blender, and now I'm even more confused. What it seems to do, is take away the sheen of the color, allowing you to lay down another color on top. At least, I think that's what it does. The blender is just like another color, expect clear. I was hoping for a way to sort of blend or smudge and pick out highlights like you can with charcoal or graphite. Back to the drawing board...

[ljefe]

i've used prismacolors quite a bit myself. I guess what you want to do...is sort of impossible. what you want to do probably is just go really light wiht the pencils (colors) and then blend the layers with the colorless blender. Or you can use white for a similar effect, but a slight change to value. In anycase, true smudging is probably not goign to happen. good luck anyway.

[Blind]

Thanks, El Jefe :cool:
I'm starting to think the same thing. These things are just too waxy I guess. Oh, well...

[Royoca]

how can i say this but prismacolors are well...crap.:eek:
i personally use ticonderoga and i love them, they blend wonderfully.:cool: ...and they got this cool "core-lock" thing going on so the lead doesn't break.

[Blind]

Really Roy?
I haven't seen them around in the stores near me, but I'll check them out if I do. Thanks...

[Royoca]

they have a site...http://www.dixonusa.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shop.products&prdindex=241

[DigitaL FusioN]

Primacolors were my medium of choice for a very long time. I've had no problem blending them whatsoever and I honestly don't see what the problem is. I guess it's all in your technique. I don't use prismacolors in a sketchy, soft fashion, they just will not blend that way. Instead I get an idea of the tones I'll need, pick two or three similiar in contrast, and grind those bad boys into the paper. Then I'd go back and smooth it over again with white or a softer hue of the same color. Blended perfectly for me everytime.

When I get home I'll capture some shots of the process or a finished piece and post them here.


*Edit* I noticed you mentioned that you tried to blend with a blending stump, that doesn't work well. Blend with the colors themselves, much like painting.

[ODIN SIX]

I just use a regular white prismacolor pencil to blend,, then go back and refine it..............................

[Lunatique]

Turpentine melts prismacolor pencils, and then you can push them around like paint with a brush. My art teacher in high school taught me that trick.

[shadowdancer]

Prismacolors are probably one of my most favorite mediums. It does take a while to figure out how they work, though.

It's always best to start with a light base color gently, and then work your way up to the darker colors, each darker color would cover less area. You can also gently lay different varieties of colors (like purple and blue) to get interesting effects.

Also, I've noticed that blending with white can give it a washed out, low-contrast color, which kind of destroys the way it looks.

You can get great results using prismas, but NEVER EVER get the "Prisma Scolar" crap. That stuff really sux!
An example of my work:
http://www.white-wings.org/angel/silpheed.jpg

[Blind]

Thanks for the input everyone. I've been messing around trying to come up with some ideas. It's just a matter of time to figure out the heres & theres of the medium. Coming from charcoal/graphite, prismacolors left me a bit stumped (no pun intended - kinda). But, as shadow has clearly shown, it can be done. Nice pic!

Lunatique: turpentine, huh? Interesting tip... I'm going to experiment with that, thanks.

[blankslatejoe]

yes, that turpentine+prismacolor really really makes things look amazing. work in a ventilated area though.