Messier
Since they are softer than crayons, oil pastels lend themselves using your fingers or a palette knife as an extra tool. For example, you can use your fingers to blend different colors.
Oil pastels are like crayons but have pigments that are bound by wax and oil, instead of just wax, which allows oil pastels to hold more pigment. Further, oil pastels are more versatile than crayons such as by using additional tools like a heat, mineral or baby oil, or a palette knife.
Softening with baby oil
Mineral oil and non-toxic baby oil can be used to soften the oil pastels as they are applied to the paper, which allows paint brushes to be brought into play for blending and other tactics.
Sgrafito
For older children and adults, the sgrafito (Italian for ‘scratch’) technique can be used. For example, layer oil pastel colors and use palette knife to scratch parts of the darker colors off to reveal other colors beneath.
Heat
We recommend this technique for adults. Use waxed paper and an iron to heat the colors on the paper for cool shapes, patterns, and shadows.
Color Swell Oil Pastels
Check out Color Swell Oil Pastels and more at our online store here.
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Do you want to save money? Get a 15% discount on your next purchase at www.colorswell.com (valid in March 2024; one coupon per customer and one use per customer).
“Artists, the only people who can make a scene and get applauded for it.”
Q: Why can’t you draw blood with an orange crayon?
A: Because it is not sharp enough.
Q: What did the textbook say to the highlighter?
A: Mark my words!
Q: What did the canvas say to the paint?
A: Stop brushing me off!
Did these silly jokes make you giggle? We hope so!
Do not forget to use promo code 15March2024 for a 15% discount off your next purchase at ColorSwell.com.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please leave a review for Color Swell art supplies.
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Why do we think this? Color Swell offers a range of ASTM D4236 conforming and EN71 and SOR tested non-toxic art supplies that are durable, colorful, and good for many uses.
What makes Color Swell better?
The colors in our paints, pencils, markers, and crayons are vibrant and long-lasting. Many of these pigments will survive sunlight for a good while too, so don’t be afraid of keeping such artwork on display for weeks at a time.
Cost Effective
Buy cheap, get cheap? That’s not the case with Color Swell art supplies.
Color Swell art supplies are great value because they are priced for bulk purchases and they last a long time.
Independent Reviews
In the world of online shopping, independent reviews are one of your best resources. Color Swell consistently scores in the highest tier of user reviews, both for the quality of our art supplies and for after-sales service.
Just click over to our Color Swell online store to see our wide variety of children's art supplies.
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Introduce New Art Supplies as Children Age
Starting around 3 years old, children mostly use crayons to be creative by scribbling and coloring.
Roughly between the age of 3 and 6 years old, introduce other products like washable markers and watercolors. They may make mess, so be sure to cover the table, wear smocks, and use washable non-toxic art supplies.
As their skills develop and they are more consistently coloring within the lines, introduce other art supplies like colored pencils, scissors, tempera paints and oil pastels.
The benefits of this type of progression include creative expression, coordination development, and a form of mindfulness and study.
Color Swell Art Supplies
Color Swell art supplies are non-toxic and most products are washable. Have a look around the Color Swell shop today!
]]>Also, get a 15% discount on your next purchase at www.colorswell.com (valid in February 2024; one coupon per customer and one use per customer).
What do you call a horse getting carried away with a magic marker? A zebra.
What’s a wizard’s favorite type of art?” “Magic” marker drawings!
What do you call it when a marker raises a good argument? A fine point.
Why did 2023 go by in a blur? My resolution must've been too low.
We hope that you chuckled at a few of our jokes.
Please use promo code coloring15feb2024 for a 15% discount off your next purchase at ColorSwell.com.
Also, can you please leave a review for Color Swell art supplies? Your support is greatly appreciated.
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Value
Each crayon effectively costs 4¢ (as against 5¢ from our many of competitors), crayon classpacks are affordable.
Non-toxic
Color Swell crayons are ASTM certified as non-toxic. The crayons are safe for use for artists of all levels (and ages 3+).
Quality
Fine wax and vibrant colors enable your children to express themselves in the very best way.
24 Colors Per Pack
Color Swell classpack crayons come in a fantastic range of 24 colors, including red, red orange, orange, yellow orange, yellow, yellow green, green, green blue, aquamarine, sky blue, blue, cerulean, navy blue, violet, red violet, magenta, bubblegum, pink, lavender, peach, brown, black, gray and white.
Donations
Color Swell donates art supplies to organizations that provide art services and education to children in need.
Color Swell Crayons Classpack
With that in mind, buy our crayon classpacks today!
]]>Go on an adventure!
It might be fun to create your art supply container from used goods.
You could go on a mission to a flea markets, thrift stores, and garage sales to find the perfect the art storage container. Look for old cigar boxes, jewelry boxes, and small shelves. You never know what you might find!
Other Ideas for Organizing Art Supplies
Here are a few suggestions for what to use for art supply storage using items at home.
Toilet roll cores. Just seal them up with a small card at the bottom with tape, decorate with paint and markers, and off you go!
Old tins, jars and plant pots. Simply clean, paint, and use!
Woven baskets or Tupperware. These are great because they stack nicely.
Shoe boxes too? You can use handmade dividers within for a super organized container!
Make storage a creative process!
You do not need to spend a lot of money for an art supply storage container. It can be fun organizing art supplies. It can also be an adventure and creative process.
When done, fill your new art supply container with art supplies from Color Swell.
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Also, get a 15% discount on your next purchase at www.colorswell.com (valid in January 2024; one coupon per customer).
When you are done laughing, please use promo code NEWYEAR-15-JAN2024 for a 15% discount off your next purchase at ColorSwell.com.
Take a minute to review Color Swell art supplies. We would greatly appreciate your time to spread the word about Color Swell.
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Basic technique
The basic technique is simple:
You will see that there are dapples and dots where the salt has lain and it can also do things to the washes you put on the paper.
Variables
The salt reacts with the water and the pigments, so you can play with a range of variables to achieve very different results, such as:
Messing around with paints!
At the end of the day, you could just be making a mess and having fun doing it! With older kids you might be helping them refine their techniques, but all the time you’re pushing the boundaries and adding to their exploration and creativity.
Have a look at Color Swell’s range of watercolors to use with the salt technique!
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"My 5th grade students conducted an experiment to find out which brand of washable markers would perform the best with the caps left off over a period of time. The brands we compared were Jot, Cra-Z-Art, Color Swell, and Crayola. We colored on chart paper and then left the caps off to test them again and again. We wanted to let you know because Color Swell won by a LOT. Your marker was the only one whose color shade did not get affected by the cap being left off and after 4 days of no cap on the marker, it was the only marker that would have been able to be used to color with. Crayola, to the students' surprise, stopped working after day 1. We thought that the results were pretty interesting, so we wanted to reach out and share them with you."
You can find Color Swell markers here.
]]>Theme Party
Have party based on the current must-see movie in theaters and have your guests draw their favorite characters. Or have a nature-themed party and the guests can draw trees and plants and animals. The guests can also dress up in the chosen theme.
Look at Color Swell coloring pages or look around online for coloring books that you can offer to your guests.
Chill Out Zone
Keep a stock of mixed art supplies is for a chill out zone at any type of party. An art zone can be used to entertain, distract, and calm down the younger guests.
Competition
Bring out everyone’s competitive instinct and offer a range of prizes for different skills. will
Who can do the neatest coloring?
Who can do the best picture from a blank page?
Who’s made the most imaginative picture?
A prize could be offered for different age groups too
Be sure to have a stock of Color Swell art supply gifts for the winners!
The Pitch!
Color Swell offers bulk art supplies that suit different age groups, from the young (such as crayons) to older kids (such as colored pencils).
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We also are offering a 15% discount on your next purchase at www.colorswell.com (valid in December 2023; one coupon per customer).
Q: What did the White crayon say to the Black crayon?
A: We make a Gray team.
The artist is so good that she drew a crowd.
Q: What do you get when you divide the circumference of a jack-o’-lantern by its diameter?
A: Pumpkin Pi.
Q: How can an artist fill in a CV?
A: Drawing from experience.
How loud did you laugh?
Also, do not forget to use promo code 15offDec2023 for a 15% discount off your next purchase at ColorSwell.com.
Spread the word about our quality art supplies! Please take a minute to review Color Swell art supplies.
Have a colorful day!
]]>There is something suitable for most youngsters with the variety of art supplies that we offer, including Color Swell crayons for the youngest kids and markers, paint, and colored pencils for the slightly older kids.
Color Swell art supplies are non-toxic and safe for all ages.
Next, consider if you will have an art-themed party and/or art party favors?
Art supplies at a mixed age party can be used to distract the younger ones or help them chill out from too much dancing and sugary drinks!
Buy Your Party Favors from Color Swell!!!
Color Swell offers a wide range of bulk art supplies that should suit most needs, from a small group to a large gathering.
]]>There are three general types of marker removal methods:
Many of these items are home and personal care products, such as:
Alcohol
Fats/oils
Abrasives
Alcohol-Based Removal Methods
Alcohol and solvents can remove paint and varnish, so take care and test the cleaning method on a less-visible spot.
Dab the alcohol or solvent with a clean cotton pad or cloth.
Fats
Some solvents are removed with fats or oil, such as milk, olive oil, and baby oil. If possible, soak the stain in one of these substances for a half hour or longer and then gently scrub it with something soft like a makeup removal pad.
Abrasives
We do not mean using a belt sander on the mark! Whitening toothpaste, sea salt scrubs and soda bicarbonate are incredibly fine abrasives that brushed gently over a mark will remove it layer-by-layer.
Color Swell Markers and Other Art Supplies
Head over to the Color Swell store for different types of markers and other art supplies.
]]>When you're done laughing, here's a 10% discount on your next purchase at www.colorswell.com (valid in November 2023; one coupon per customer).
Q: What’s the most difficult part about having to paint someone?
A: Getting them to stand still for long enough.
Q: What did the confident whiteboard say to the dry erase marker?
A: I am remarkable!
Q: How can an artist fill in a CV?
A: Drawing from experience.
A pencil isn’t my favorite writing tool…but it’s a solid number 2.
We hope that you enjoyed this month's jokes.
Use promo code NOV-2023-10 for a 10% discount off your next purchase at ColorSwell.com.
Please help us spread the word about our quality art supplies that are available at a great price and take a minute to review Color Swell art supplies. Thank you.
Have a colorful day!
]]>Washable
These markers typically use water as a solvent. Unwanted marks can be removed with water-based cleaning methods on skin and common fabrics. These markers are not guaranteed to wash out but generally can be removed with one wash or with additional support (such as with rubbing alcohol).
Ultra-washable
These markers will wash out is most situations and conditions (Color Swell does not offer this type of marker). Like washable markers, these are water-based.
Not specified
These are packs that do not say “washable”, "permanent" or anything else. These markers should be considered difficult to remove.
Permanent
These markers will often have an alcohol-based solvent that cannot easily be removed without using an alcohol/abrasive removal method.
These markers are best kept away from younger children.
Special Markers
Like permanent markers, these will often use an alcohol or similar based solvent and will be more challenging to remove. These markers include glitter and metallic markers. As with permanent markers, these are perhaps best kept away from younger aspiring artists.
Color Swell Markers
Have a look at Color Swell marker range for different types of washable and permanent markers.
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Round End Scissors
Color Swell only sells round-tipped scissors, which is an important safety measure. The blades are still sharp so care should be taken to be sure that they understand that if the blades can cut paper they can also cut skin.
Well Lit Area
Make sure that the area in which they are working is well lit so they can clearly see what they are doing with the scissors.
Straight Lines
When it comes to practicing the use of scissors, start with something easy. A straight line is good for teaching the long scissor strokes necessary to utilize the length of the blades.
More Complex Lines
Generally speaking, children shouldn’t start using scissors until they are at least five years old, which is when their fine motor skills are at a level where they can safely start to use scissors. As children develop fine motor skills, move away from simple, straight lines and into more complex patterns requiring shorter strokes and different angles.
Children’s Scissors from Color Swell
Buy your kid’s scissors from Color Swell at our online shop!
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Keep reading after the jokes for information on a 10% discount on your next purchase at www.colorswell.com (valid in October 2023; one coupon per customer).
I was at the museum recently. I asked a worker there if I was allowed to take pictures. He said no, they had to stay on the walls.
Q: How can an artist fill in their resume?
A: Drawing from experience.
Artists handle criticism well. They just brush it off.
Q: How does an artist get around?
A: Quite easel-y.
These jokes may be silly, but I bet that they made you giggle!
For a 10% discount off your next purchase at ColorSwell.com use promo code Oct2023-10.
Lastly, please take a minute to review Color Swell art supplies to help us spread the word about our quality art supplies that are available at a great price.
Have a colorful day!
]]>Pointed Ends
Both super tip and broad line markers have pointed ends. That both can be used to draw fine lines and add detail when coloring in a piece of work. The big difference is the width of the marker.
Hold at an Angle
The proper technique is to hold the super tip and broad line marker at an angle to vary the width of the line. Broad line markers offer a much greater potential thickness to the line than super tip markers.
Fine Motor Skills
As a child progresses in their art, they will continue to develop fine motor skills. Using a broad line marker can help them develop this further as they learn to vary the angle of the marker to achieve different results, such as with creative lettering.
Super tip markers are good for fine detail as the child progresses on their artwork journey.
Using markers is very like using paintbrushes - you will use a fine brush for fine detail and a broad brush for broader strokes.
Super Tip and Broad Line Markers from Color Swell
Color Swell has a range of different sized packs of super tip and broad line markers to suit your needs, which you can see at our online store.
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Focus
As a child gets absorbed by their activity, it flexes the brain’s ability to focus. The brain is like a muscle - the more it is used positively the better it functions. Helping a child to get absorbed in an art project prepare them well for school and the workplace.
Fine Motor Skills
A child that learns to color fine patterns (like coloring within the lines) will net progress to handwriting. When using a computer a child's fine motor skills can be used in mouse work and even in gaming.
Other Subjects
The act of writing was also a highly creative form, as can be seen in Ireland’s Book of Kells with its incredibly ornate calligraphy. This takes the art of writing to a new level, and can be a means of helping the child express themselves through signage and even language.
Creativity and Expression
An early years scribble develops into legible pictures and then into imagery during a child’s development. Not all become master artists, but give them an outlet and they will create something that they will enjoy. Colors can express moods - blues and greens anger and sadness, reds and oranges express happiness and cheer. Expression is an important outlet for a child’s mental health.
Quality supplies from Color Swell are adequate for all types of artists. Have a look at our online store!
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I always give 100%
So the school no longer allows me to grade the art projects.
Good Advice: Always carry a permanent marker just in case someone without a mustache falls asleep.
“Artists are just children who refuse to put down their crayons.”
- Al Hirschfeld
Did you enjoy these silly jokes and puns and quotes as much as we did?
Use promo code 2023SEP10 for a 10% discount off your next purchase at ColorSwell.com.
Please take a few minutes to review Color Swell art supplies for markers, crayons, watercolors, colored pencils, and more. Have a colorful day!
Have a colorful day!
]]>Liquid Art Supplies
If a cap is left off a marker it may be unusable within a few days as the water evaporated. The same concept applies to art supplies after the pack has been opened, so take care and your art supplies should last for as long as you need them.
With an unopened or well sealed pack of art supplies, liquid art supplies should last 18 months to two years.
Solid Art Supplies
In their original factory packaging and kept out of light and oxygen, these art supplies can last 3-4 years. Keep them out of humid, hot or cold conditions, and direct sunlight.
Once out of their packaging, the art supplies will degrade over time and with each use.
A Drawer or Box is Your Best Friend!
For all art supplies, a drawer, box, or cupboard will keep them out of excess light, heat, and cold.
When it comes to buying bulk art supplies from Color Swell, consider buying your watercolors, markers or crayons in bulk. You will get a lot of value for your money.
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Dive in!
Start with no preconceptions. Simply drop your biases and fear and just get started and have fun!
Be like a three-year-old Turner and don’t worry about being a grand master.
Choose Colors
Watercolors lend themselves well to blending.
Start with a Color Swell 8-color packs or a 16-color pack, which offer different hues and degrees of warmth. With some experimentation you will become more comfortable with mixing and blending.
Brushes
See our previous post about range of brushes you can use in watercoloring, such as a narrow tipped brush for detail and a wider tipper brush for washes. Select the right brushes to mess around with and develop your technique.
Water and Pigment
See our previous post about experimenting with water/pigment mixes.
Enjoy Yourself
With few exceptions most Artists will not make money from their art. Rather, they are doing it for fun and creativity.
If you do become successful with your watercolors, please do not forget to mention Color Swell in your acceptance speech!
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Q: Did you hear about the artists that sketched crime scenes?
A: That type of work is not for the faint of art.
I failed my art exam using the wrong pencil…I guess it wasn’t 2b.
Q: Where do vampires get their art supplies?
A: Pencilvania
We hope that you enjoyed these silly jokes and puns!
Take a look at Color Swell art supplies for all of your markers, crayons, watercolors, colored pencils, and more.
Have a colorful day!
]]>Wax-based and Oil-based Colored Pencils
Colored pencils have a wooden (or synthetic) outer casing and a colored core. The core is a mixture of pigment and binder. The oil or wax is the binder that enables the Artist to spread the pigment on the paper.
Pros and Cons of Wax Pencils
Wax pencils are generally less expensive, but cheaper does not mean bad.
Wax based colored pencils offer a ‘buttery’ texture on the final piece. This is a soft and shiny appearance. Many expert artists love this texture as it adds some vibrancy and beauty to their work.
Wax based colored pencil cores are harder so may shatter if the pencil be dropped or struck. When sharpened, the core may break-off in lumps and you will have to continue sharpening to get the point.
The main issues with wax-based colored pencils is that they may be depleted faster (such as due to the effects of sharpening) and over time the wax can ‘bloom’ through evaporation (though the bloom can easily be wiped off with a damp cloth).
Pros and Cons of Oil-Based Colored Pencils
The oil does not evaporate so there will not be a bloom on the finished work, which will last longer.
Premium oil-based colored pencils will last longer because they are softer and be less prone to the core shattering when the pencil is dropped or sharpened.
But you don’t get the buttery texture and warm effects of wax-based colored pencils.
Buy Your Wax Based Colored Pencils from Color Swell!
Have a look at the Color Swell wax-based colored pencils!
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Do Not Reinvent the Wheel
An art influencer or instructor can show their students a wide array of art disciplines, techniques, and masters so the students can become inspired by one or more things that interest them.
Some suggestions include:
The more that the students see and feel, the more they are likely to have a "lightbulb moment".
As a final thought, be eclectic as your own biases might influence the students and unintentionally limit their direction and potential.
Allowing Room to Explore
A student in Annapolis or Fort Lauderdale might have an eye for the sea and boats. A student New York City or San Francisco may be exposed to different cultures and wish to reflect their own experiences.
Whatever the students' experience, allow time and space for that expression. It may not be something that you expected, but in supporting them in the direction they choose they will flourish both as people and in their art.
Art Supplies for Your Students
Look at the different Color Swell products that you can use to guide your students to develop their own artistic styles.
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Q: How do you inspire an artist?
A: Easel-y
An artist’s favorite swimming technique is the brushstroke.
A man tells his friend he likes the markers that write thinner because they're easier to draw with. His friend says "you make a fine point."
Now that you have had a good laugh, take a look at Color Swell art supplies for all of your markers, crayons, watercolors, colored pencils, and more.
Have a colorful day!
]]>Choosing the Right Brush
In an earlier blog post we examined the selection criteria for choosing the right brush for different watercolor techniques. Head over to this post to see how different brushes can be used for different effects on a watercolor composition. The post reviews how a wider brush is great for washes like the sky or a meadow while a fine brush is great for detail like clouds or flowers.
Experiment with Value Scales
With the right brush you can put down a given pigment (like those sold by Color Swell) and the proper amount of water required for a given strength of final color.
When you start the colors will dry much darker and the wetter settings will leave lighter and sometimes even opaque color.
Water Movements
The water will move from the wettest piece of paper to the driest. You can use this behavior to your advantage.
Mixing and blending colors on paper can be done with the existing wet pigment or as you layer wet on dry, though these techniques will have different effects.
Use Color Swell Paints
Color Swell offers a variety of watercolor paints. With tens of thousands of happy customers, you can be assured of the quality of Color Swell art supplies.
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Brush Head Shapes
There are four broad types of brush heads:
Round heads have a fine tip and more pressure can be used for less detail and less pressure for more detail. Flat heads are for less detail and more for washes - though will be used more frequently than wash headed brushes. Wash brushes have wide, flat heads. The spotter heads are for tiny detail or lines.
Handles
There are three types of handles - long, medium and short. In a recent post we looked at different techniques for using a pencil and noted that the further up the handle that you hold the pencil, the less detail and longer strokes you can do.
Where it comes to brush handle length, the same applies as to pencils. Hold the brush far from the head for long sweeps like a wash. Therefore, the wash head brush might have a long handle while you might only need a short handle for the spotter head brush.
Buy Your Watercolors and Paint Brushes from Color Swell
Got the sales pitch in neatly there, didn’t we? Have a look at what we have on offer at our online store.
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