What are Distress Crayons? They are Ranger's new crayons with water-reactive pigments, producing different and varied results.
Their formula is designed to achieve vibrant colour effects on porous surfaces and is ideal for Mixed Media (to create backgrounds, stain effects, watercolour, and even textures). You can use them in different ways, and if you combine them with Distress Inks, the possibilities are even wider. At first, Distress Crayons may remind us of gelatos, but they are softer and, so, blend better, which is key when working with backgrounds in Mixed Media. All colours have in common their intense tone and the variety of creative possibilities they offer. Let's take a look at them!
But before going deeper into the topic, let's watch this video from CHA 2016 in which Tim Holtz, the creator of Distress Crayons introduces them.
How to use Distress Crayons
- You can paint directly with the crayon and blend with your fingertips or with a brush and a little water. The result varies in both cases as one will give you a more uneven stain look and the other one, a more watercolour effect.
- If you use a moistened brush, you can also mix the colour beforehand: you can colour on a non-stick base and, with the dampened brush, pick up the paint as if it was a palette. Then, you can paint your project. This technique is useful if you are working on detailed designs, such as colouring a stamp).
- A third option is to wet the area you want to paint with water and then paint over it with several Distress Crayons. This way, the colours blend together slightly, creating a bright background. You can use a heat gun to speed up the drying process.
Ranger Ink
- These crayons also allow you to create textures. Take your masks and stencils out of the drawer and use them with these crayons.
- The last idea is to work with baby wipes at hand! Once you've painted with your Crayons, use a wet wipe to lift the colour in certain areas. You can make geometric shapes or detailed drawings using a stencil. By doing this, you can give a vintage effect to your design. Remember that if you want to intensify the colour and apply Distress Inks, you should let the surface completely dry.
Definitely, they are perfect for Mixed Media backgrounds! Their creamy texture allows you to work much easier. The key is to use porous paper because it will help you to spread colours easily. The difference with gelatos, apart from their creaminess, is that gelatos can be reactivated with water once dry. Distress Crayons, however, act more like paint, once dry it does not react again with water, with is important to bear in mind. If you want to create layers, the colour will remain the same.
Have you already tried Distress Crayons? In case you still haven't, take a look at them and give them a try, you won't be disappointed.