Elegant Writer - Group of Seven

Hi everyone.  Today for Group of Seven, we are working with the Elegant Writer pen.  Christine first introduced me to this marker several years ago, but I didn't buy one for myself until last year.  I'm sorry I waited so long! :)

The pen is filled with water soluable ink.  When you add it to your card, the ink looks black, but add some water and you will have inks in gray, green, blue and pink show up.  It's really magical.  A little goes a long way. 

Please check out the details for the technique and link to video on the blog ...

Group of Seven Cardmakers

For both my cards today, I kept things CAS.  I was busy making cards ahead for upcoming commitments and packing up our house at the same time, so I kept things simple.  :)

For the card above, I used a wonderful image called Tree Poem (Stampendous), stamped in black and clear heat embossed.  I added a few lines of elegant writer here and there and then took a wet brush to spread the colours, dabbing with a paper towel which shows off the pink and blue colours.  I love the classic black and white colours with just a touch of added colour in the background.

Close-up ...

Here's what I learned when I experimented with this technique ...

• If you decide you want to buy one of the Elegant Writer pens, make sure it has a silver/gray casing.  This is the pen with the water soluable ink.  I mistakenly bought Elegant Writer pens that were in a black case ... permanent markers in black.  :)
• I found the video by Karlyn invaluable (you will find it on the Group of Seven blog).  She is an artist and also teaches art ... and she has lots of tips on how to use these amazing pens.
• I outlined images or partially outlined images and then added water to spread the ink.  If I wanted to add just a touch of colour, I would use a damp watercolour brush to pick up just a bit of colour directly from the tip of the Elegant Writer pen. 
• Once you add water and move the colour around, you must blot with a paper towel and that's when you will see more of the pink and blue colours.  
• As per Karlyn's video, I misted lightly from above to set the ink once I was finished.  Then I could leave my image as is, or add more watercolouring using inks or paints of different colours easily without any bleeding. 

* * * * *

Here's another CAS card using a black heat embossed image with the Elegant Writer pen.  Simple, but so pretty!

This time I used an image from the Create Chaos (Visible Image) stamp set.  Again, I kept it black and white with just a touch of colour from the elegant writer.

Sending this card to Simply Clean & Simple April Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Tree Poem (Stampendous); Many Everyday Message (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Elegant Writer
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes

Card #2:

Stamps:  Create Chaos (Visible Image); Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Elegant Writer
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes)

Challenges:

Group of Seven - Elegant Writer

Simply Clean & Simple April Challenge

Christmas cards using Elegant Writer

Hi everyone.  A couple of months ago I posted a card using Elegant Writer to create the background behind my pine branch.  It's an interesting pen that contains dye ink (mix of green and red) to create a black marker until you add water.  Then the other colours appear. :)  Magical!  I used the pen for my three cards for today ...

I kept the colour palette simple by using red and green inks, along with one that uses just the writer pen to colour my main image.  It was so much fun!  

Close-up ...

The above card uses a Magenta stamp (floral holiday trio),stamped in shadow grey archival ink (very light colour) onto cold press watercolour paper.  I outlined the squares and main images of each panel using my Elegant Writer.  I added water to activate the outline of the three images and carried that colour to the background of each square.  Once dry, I used Distress Inks (Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn) to add colour to the images.  I splattered with diluted white acrylic paint and set the panel aside.

I stamped the sentiment (Believe from Penny Black) in white pigment ink and heat embossed in white onto my black card panel.  I used this same sentiment on all my cards today. :)

I tore a second piece of black card stock and popped it up on the black card front before fussy-cutting the three squares and popping them on top of the torn strip.  I love how it turned out.

Sending the above card to Peace on Earth Challenge #53.

And then ...

Repeated the same technique using Berry Wreath (Memory Box - already retired - haven't had it very long) on cold press watercolour paper.    I tried to leave more white space, but I definitely need practise with that. :)

And last, an interesting poinsettia using just the Elegant Writer.

I stamped the poinsettia (Radiant Red by Penny Black) with vintage photo distress ink and then outlined with the Elegant Writer.  I added a poinsettia dry embossed background (Scenic Poinsettia Embossing Folder - Spellbinders) and black sentiment banner to finish.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Card#1:

Stamps:  Floral Holiday Trio (Magenta); Believe (Penny Black)

Paper:   Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches - 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Shadow Grey Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Elegant Writer pen, watercolour paint brushes, fine mister

Card#2:

Stamps:  Berry Wreath (Memory Box - retired)

Paper:   Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches - 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Shadow Grey Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Elegant Writer pen, watercolour paint brushes, fine mister

Card#3:

Stamps:  Radiant Red (Penny Black); Believe (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches - 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Vintage Photo (stamping image); Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Scenic Poinsettia Embossing Folder (Spellbinders); Elegant Writer pen, watercolour paint brushes, fine mister

Challenges:

Peace on Earth Challenge #53