Bibi Cameron : Arteza

Arteza EverBlend Markers and Colouring Books - Any Good?

May 15, 2020

Hi everyone, I had the joy to try the Arteza Everblend Markers and Arteza Colouring Books.

I'm not into coloring books or Digi-stamps but gosh !! I'm totally loving the books.

So I treat myself with:

Floral UK | USA
Animals UK | USA
Doodles UK | USA
Mandalas UK | USA

These are 6.4 x 6.4 inches, 100 lb, each book has 72 different illustrations.

For this video - post I used page 33 of the Floral coloring book. Artist Kotkoa.

10% discount for my blog readers!

ARTEZA UK - EUROPE HERE or ARTEZA USA HERE

Use the code BibiCameron4 at the checkout

The code is valid until June 20 - 2020

Arteza Everblend Markers

Arteza sent me the 60 markers sets to give them a try.

The first thing you will notice is the super cool case they come packaged.

This is a perfect storage solution that also allows you to keep organized, and the case is also sold separately.

Next, you will notice their triangular shape, the labels on the barrel and the color names and references on the lids.

These are dual-tip alcohol markers.
They have a fine tip and a chisel tip.
Blendable
AP Certified. This means that Arteza EverBlend Markers are non- toxic.

In my opinion:

The pens feel comfortable on the hand and after hours of coloring, I wasn't tired.
I would say that due to the design of the marker barrel and after CRAZY coloring, my fingers were not inked. this happens a lot when working with other alcohol-based markers.
The lids are easy to take off and put back.

Note: Oh! I just read on the Arteza web site that the triangular shape prevents them from rolling on the desk.

I was impressed with the performance of the markers on the Arteza coloring book paper.
I'm totally in love with the coloring books and I bought them as soon as they were back in stock. People snap them from the shop when they were released.

As the paper is thin, the ink of the markers will bleed in the back so I would strongly advise putting an extra sheet of paper behind to protect the next page.

I would also advise doing color swatches. This will allow you to identify the colours that probably will be a good match for blending.

After testing the markers for days, I don't think I could do any better with any of the other markers I own.

What I Love

Undoubtedly what I loved the most about the Arteza Everblend markers is the vibrancy of the colours! simply stunning.
Easy to blend
do not saturate the paper in spite of adding a crazy amount of layers.
The chisel nib is great to cover larger areas.
The case is also a great feature as it helps me to keep organized and also to carry the markers everywhere.
The price is great.
Customer service is awesome.

Could Be Better

The fine nib is not my fav as the color application feels a bit rougher. However, this didn't stop me from enjoying coloring for hours.
Totally personal opinion, I think the 60 marker set needs a couple of extra light browns instead of a couple of greys. I really needed that light brown color to create a better transition of color on the head of the deer in the post here!!
I'm failing to understand the references on the lids of the markers. Although, I have to say that I don't really need to understand them.

I would struggle to learn all the references or even the name of the colors. I have learned to identify the marker shade just by looking at the lid colors. ( This apply to all the brands I use)

Although the lid is plastic and this will never be the same as the color on the paper this visual aid is great.

To add details. I used Arteza colored pencils over the Alcohol Marker.

That's all for today.
Thank you very much for stopping by!
Stay Safe!

Hugs

Bibi

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Altenew Wallpaper Art stamp set Arteza

Oh My !! Arteza Artist Colored Pencils? Yes, Please

February 28, 2020

Hi everyone, last December Arteza sent me a box of their Expert Coloured Pencils !!

WOW! I didn't need to use them more than once to totally love them.

I strongly believe that Arteza colored pencils won't disappoint you and that these are the most competitive high-quality colored pencils out there in terms of price vs quality.

Enjoy 10% off at the Arteza Shops
UK Shop Here | USA Shop Here
CODE BIBICAMERON4 (valid until June 20 /2020)

So What Are These Pencils?

Artist Quality.
Non- Toxic
Acid-Free.
4 mm lead.
Wax-based.
8 mm barrel
Break-Resistant.
Highly-pigmented.
Vibrant and Intense Colours.
Labels with name, colour code and lightfastness.
Available in sets of 48, 72, 120 pencils.
Pre-sharpened.

Arteza Coloured Pencils Are a Certified Product

Lightfastness Tested (ACMI Certified Conform to ASTM D-4236)
FSC certified ( 100 % made out of Wood from the well-managed forest)
PA Certified (Non-toxic product)
CE (meet health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA)

Other Key Features

Soft texture ( Allows to easily lay down lots of colour quickly).
Creamy.
Semiopaque - Works well on black and colored cardstock
Easy to layer.
Great for different skill levels.
The pencils are well packaged in a metallic tin.
Add- on Arteza pencil case available.
Unbeatable price vs great quality.

General Coloured Pencil Pros

As this is a dry, linear medium, it is great to draw hair and fur or do hatching.
Great to add details to images
Can be combined on artwork made using other media.
Fine detail is possible.
Near realism or photographic artwork if wanted.
Go back to do coloring on a piece every time you can with minimum fuzz.
No drying times required.
Portable.

It is easy to identify the colors as the body of each pencil has been lacquered with the color of the core pigment.

The colours on the paper won't be identical to those in the barrel of the pencil but very close and this is a great visual aid.

Why lightfastness is important?

Fade-resistant grade of a pigment ( source here)

Lightfastness = durability = resistance of pigment to fading when exposed to light or weather (humidity).

Lightfastness tests tell us how fast a pigment might fade, change hue or vanish.

According to ASTM ( American Society for Testing Materials), none of the Arteza colored pencils has been rated less than 3 stars according to the table below.

+ Excellent - over 100 years
++ Very Good - 50 up to 100 years
+++ Good - 15 to 50 years

Anything equivalent to one or two stars is considered to be archival = resilient to the environmental elements that commonly degrade and erode dye molecules shortening the life of your artwork.

So, I actually was very surprised to know these pencils have been tested for lightfastness. I have only seen this done on very expensive brands.

The Colours

There are 120 colours in the Arteza colored pencil range.
In the 120 coloured pencils set you will also find metallics.

Are these pencils for kids?

Oh, yes! The unbeatable price and quality make them a great choice for parents who wants to encourage their children to do more coloring. After trying these pencils, I bought a set for my kids and they totally love them.

Ad- On Pencil Case

I decided to treat myself with this awesome pencil case to store the pencils and to carry them around.

Available in 2 designs.
It has 64 slots.
You can fit three 8mm pencils in each slot.
So that you can fit 205 pencils.

Get your pencil case at
Arteza UK - Europe here or the Arteza USA here

+ Free Shipping

The Paper

Any paper with "smooth" surface can be used with Arteza Coloured Pencils.

I use:

Arches Hot pressed watercolor paper 300 grams.
Strathmore Bristol Smooth 270 grams.
Bristol Toned Tan 118 grams + Mix Media 300 grams.
Bristol Toned Grey 118 grams + Mix Media 300 grams.
240 coloured cardstock.

The Arteza Sketchbook - Dry media it is awesome for practicing!

Note : Textured paper can be used too. This depends on what kind of artistic work you are doing but it could be hard to get the pencils into the valley of the paper.

I'm a Stamper What Ink should I Use with Coloured Pencils

Any ink will be ok.
If you are going to add solvents, I'll advise using Memento or Distress (water-based) if you will add solvents or colour pencil blending solutions.
For no-line colouring, you can also use clear ink.

4 Techniques

1. Layering

Layering is when we overlap different colour shades to build up the colour or to create different colour tones.

For this technique is essential to apply very little pressure.

2. Burnishing

Burnishing is when we apply gentle pressure to press was and pigments together creating a polished finish. Smooth and richer in colour.

3. Blending

You can dry blend coloured pencils using paper blender stumps.

You can also blend the coloured pencil pigments using a blending solution such as:

Baby Oil.
Alcohol.
Surgical spirit.
Colorless alcohol marker - blender pen.
Colour Blending Solutions such as spectrum noir or Gamsol.
Baseline.
Nail polish.

My Top Fav Blending Solutions

Baby oil
Spectrum Noir - Coloured pencils blending solution.

4. Sponging

Save your pencils shavings.

Apply over them a few drops of your preferred blending solution.

When softening use sponges to apply the pigments to your artwork.

You can use stencils to add textures.

Top Tips

Keep your pencils sharp.
Rotate the pencils while coloring to keep the tip pointy.
Use a good pencil sharpener.
Use a sand block to sharpen your pencils.
Use a battery eraser to rescue whites and apply light colours over the erased areas.
You can heal broken wax base pencils ( see below)

Healing Wax Colored Pencils

When your colored pencils have fallen down onto the hard floor or when they have suffer some mistreat during storage or manipulation the lead can break when sharpening.

The pencil's lead can also brake when you exceed pressure so be gentle with your pencils all the time.

If your pencils are braking during sharpening there is an easy tip to heal your pencil:

Find a "dry", "low heat" way to gently and slowly heat up the pencil.
The wax binder will melt and when cool down it will solidify again, healing an unhealthy lead.
Once the pencils have cooled down you can [roceed to sharpened them.

"Anything warm that feels nice to the touch" will be good to heat up and heal your pencils.

Be aware!!! High temperatures cause damage to the wood so be extremely careful!

Ideas to heat up your wax pencils:

You can use a heat tool (or a hairdryer) in low heat. Put the heat tool away from the pencil but allowing the pencil to receive gentle heat.
Place them near a radiator or heating system.
Inside your hot car during summer for a few minutes.

That's all for today.

I hope you find this post useful and inspired you to try Arteza Coloured Pencils.

Discover more Arteza products and applications on my blog post:

Supplies List

Just a note to let you know that when you buy through the links in my blog I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Thanks for your support!

Pages

Arteza EverBlend Markers and Colouring Books - Any Good?

10% discount for my blog readers!

ARTEZA UK - EUROPE HERE or ARTEZA USA HERE Use the code BibiCameron4 at the checkout The code is valid until June 20 - 2020

Arteza Everblend Markers

See more Arteza products in action

Supplies List

Oh My !! Arteza Artist Colored Pencils? Yes, Please

Enjoy 10% off at the Arteza ShopsUK Shop Here | USA Shop HereCODE BIBICAMERON4 (valid until June 20 /2020)

Arteza Coloured Pencils Are a Certified Product

Other Key Features

General Coloured Pencil Pros

Why lightfastness is important?

The Colours

Are these pencils for kids?

Ad- On Pencil Case

The Paper

I'm a Stamper What Ink should I Use with Coloured Pencils

4 Techniques

1. Layering

2. Burnishing

3. Blending

My Top Fav Blending Solutions

4. Sponging

Save your pencils shavings. Apply over them a few drops of your preferred blending solution. When softening use sponges to apply the pigments to your artwork. You can use stencils to add textures.

Top Tips

Healing Wax Colored Pencils

Ideas to heat up your wax pencils:

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Supplies List

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ARTEZA UK - EUROPE HERE or ARTEZA USA HERE

Use the code BibiCameron4 at the checkout

The code is valid until June 20 - 2020

Enjoy 10% off at the Arteza Shops
UK Shop Here | USA Shop Here
CODE BIBICAMERON4 (valid until June 20 /2020)

Save your pencils shavings.

Apply over them a few drops of your preferred blending solution.

When softening use sponges to apply the pigments to your artwork.

You can use stencils to add textures.