Faux Charcoal Prismacolor Tutorial

Hey everyone! I’m popping in here really quick today to share a video tutorial on using Prismacolors to create a faux charcoal look on kraft (or any colored)  craftstock. For this tutorial I used Amelia from The Greeting Farm’s Little Dreamer’s set and stamped her on PTI kraft cardstock using Memento ink. Before we get started I wanted to answer a couple of questions I’ve gotten recently about Prismacolors and OMS.

Oh!!! One other quick FYI you can get the 132 color tin box set for 1/2 price right now at Dick Blick. That’s where I got mine two years ago and it’s still going strong!

1. What ink do you use?

I almost always use Memento Tuxedo Black from Tsukineko. Any other Memento color would work well though and might give you some different looks. I’ve also used Ranger’s Distress Inks and they all work well also. The only thing you really need to look out for is that the ink is water based. Any solvent or oil based ink will break down with the OMS.

2. What paper do you use?

I use a couple of different brands. Prismacolors are a little more forgiving paper wise that Copics are so you don’t have to buy an expensive heavy paper if you don’t want to. I used PTI’s Stampers Select White (because I have a stash of it), Strathmore Bristol Smooth 300 series cardstock (this is my favorite), and I also have a package of the Micheal’s brand of white cardstock that I use and it works great.

3. What brand of printer do you use for digi’s?

I use an Epson and it’s about 8 years old. I’ve never tried any other brand of printer ink, I always get the name brand Epson ink and it always works with OMS. I know other inks don’t work well with OMS. This is one I don’t have any magic tricks for. I guess one thing you could do is print your digi’s on a laser printer though I’ve had trouble with toner and OMS before.

Alright! Let’s get moving on to that tutorial.

Faux Charcoal Prismacolor Tutorial from Deconstructing Jen on Vimeo.

And here’s a card I made previously using this technique. 😀