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Blender Pens
Blender Pen Refill Recipe
For 1 ounce bottle fill
1/3 Glycerin
2/3 Distilled water
1/4 teaspoon alcohol
For 1 ounce bottle fill
1/3 Glycerin
2/3 Distilled water
1/4 teaspoon alcohol
ConnieKo@aol.com
You will find the Tombow blender a wonderful tool for achieving soft, watercolor-like effects. The best way to use it, in my opinion, is to do your blending of color ON THE TIP of the pen, not on paper. Touch the blender onto your waterbased marker, then apply this lightened color to your work. If I'm coloring a leaf, I'll touch the tip of the marker to a yellow marker and then touch a green marker tip. This gives me a light green. With this color on the blender tip, I can apply the color where I want it. I can then take my marker and add darker bits here and there. It dries pretty quickly. I then go back into the area for fine line detail. I've had less success in blending colors that have already been applied to a card surface. You might try it for yourself. I think it would work best on a gloss cardstock that would slow absorption. The softer papers will just suck up the liquid like a sponge. The Dove blender works very well, too, and has a different composition, so it's jucier. You can also buy a pack of replacement tips to freshen the point as it wears down over time. There is also a replacement fluid, so the Dove pen can last forever.
ruthann@key-net.net (Ruthann Gigliotti)
You only need one Blender Pen. When finished with one color you just mark on a scrap paper till the tip is clean. Then go on to next color.
You only need one Blender Pen. When finished with one color you just mark on a scrap paper till the tip is clean. Then go on to next color.
Stampnred@aol.com
you use the blender over colored pencils. It gives it a soft effect and blends colors together.. I use mine ALL the time. Be sure to wipe the tip off when changing colors on your artwork.
you use the blender over colored pencils. It gives it a soft effect and blends colors together.. I use mine ALL the time. Be sure to wipe the tip off when changing colors on your artwork.
Rubberdz@aol.com
I was told to use the inside top of an inkpad (or other plastic/metal water repellent surface) and "scribble" my marker on to it. That will create little beads of marker ink. Then take the blender pen, dip it in the beads of ink and color onto my card. When it's time to change colors, scribble the blender pen onto a towel/napkin and start all over
I was told to use the inside top of an inkpad (or other plastic/metal water repellent surface) and "scribble" my marker on to it. That will create little beads of marker ink. Then take the blender pen, dip it in the beads of ink and color onto my card. When it's time to change colors, scribble the blender pen onto a towel/napkin and start all over
Kari jimq@teleport.com
The one I bought only cost 3 dollars and I love it!!! You can buy extra nibs (tips) and it's refillable!!! I would highly recommend this over the tombow any day but this is just my opinion!! You can do all kinds of neat things and it's nice and juicy and works great. I color a marvy on a piece of acrylic (from my positioner) and then use my blender pen to get just the right amount of color. You can also color on your image and drag the color. Works both ways and I really like it. Use it all the time!!! Sorry I don't have any info on where to buy it though, got it at a convention.
The one I bought only cost 3 dollars and I love it!!! You can buy extra nibs (tips) and it's refillable!!! I would highly recommend this over the tombow any day but this is just my opinion!! You can do all kinds of neat things and it's nice and juicy and works great. I color a marvy on a piece of acrylic (from my positioner) and then use my blender pen to get just the right amount of color. You can also color on your image and drag the color. Works both ways and I really like it. Use it all the time!!! Sorry I don't have any info on where to buy it though, got it at a convention.
ConnieKo@aol.com
Both the Tombow and the Dove are great pens. I have both and also sell both (though not retail, sorry! check your favorite RS source). They are quite different so if possible you might want to try both to see what works best for you. Dove is juicier, has replacement nibs for when they wear down eventually, and is also refillable. Tombow is not as wet, so it's more controllable in tiny spaces of your artwork, and the pen body and nib are thinner. I like both blenders.
Both the Tombow and the Dove are great pens. I have both and also sell both (though not retail, sorry! check your favorite RS source). They are quite different so if possible you might want to try both to see what works best for you. Dove is juicier, has replacement nibs for when they wear down eventually, and is also refillable. Tombow is not as wet, so it's more controllable in tiny spaces of your artwork, and the pen body and nib are thinner. I like both blenders.
Jeff Hitchin santa@serv.net
Doesn't the Dove Blender work with colored pencils too??? And markers????? Not regular colored pencils. You can use it with watercolor pencils, though, and markers. Also, glossy paper doesn't seem to take a Dove blender very well. I've used it on watercolor stock and Bristol vellum. Some coated papers will also not take the blender easily.
Doesn't the Dove Blender work with colored pencils too??? And markers????? Not regular colored pencils. You can use it with watercolor pencils, though, and markers. Also, glossy paper doesn't seem to take a Dove blender very well. I've used it on watercolor stock and Bristol vellum. Some coated papers will also not take the blender easily.
tntrilling@juno.com (Tonya L. Rilling)
Subject: Tombow Blending Tips/techs
Subject: Tombow Blending Tips/techs
Supplies:
Watercolor/Blending Paper
Tombow Markers
Tombow Blending Pen
Open Fine line stamp
Base card
Embossing Powder
1.Cut base card paper, fold and measure.
2.Cut Watercolor paper to a size that will fit on the base card with a 1/4" border of base card showing around the watercolor paper.
3.Stamp your image on the watercolor paper and embosss.
4.Take the tombow marker of your choice and begin working in a small area, draw lines with the marker where you want darker highlights.
5.Take the blender pen and in a circular motion blend out from the highlight marker and pull color to surrounding areas. Continue with that color highlighting and blending until all the areas with that color are completed.
6. Clean the blender by coloring on a scrap piece of paper to remove last color before using on the next color.
For creating new colors or just for a more watercolor look you can highlight one area with several coordinating colors before blending.
Before mixing colors in an area try them on a scrap piece of paper.
Blending pens run out of ink more quickly than colored pens because of the large amounts of space you use them on while blending.
You can use a lighter color of the same shade to blend colors then go over the area with the blender pen when complete to blend any lines and shade.
Tyra Smith Cloud9@netnet.net
I have tried the dove blender and LePlumes on glossy cardstock.... with very little luck.... you know the lines you get when you color in a large area???? I did learn to manipulate my marker so the lines were less aparent...but still...I'd love to elminate them all together. I'll have to try it on watercolor paper....never thought about that. I was using my berol pencils to color in an angel I stampped and cut out... and just wondered what the berol blender would do if I used it on her dress...and I LOVED the effect I got.... and I used mattekote cardstock... and I got a smooth flowing dress on the angel. I was just wondering why this didn't work with my LePlumes.
I have tried the dove blender and LePlumes on glossy cardstock.... with very little luck.... you know the lines you get when you color in a large area???? I did learn to manipulate my marker so the lines were less aparent...but still...I'd love to elminate them all together. I'll have to try it on watercolor paper....never thought about that. I was using my berol pencils to color in an angel I stampped and cut out... and just wondered what the berol blender would do if I used it on her dress...and I LOVED the effect I got.... and I used mattekote cardstock... and I got a smooth flowing dress on the angel. I was just wondering why this didn't work with my LePlumes.
happyrubber@juno.com
You can't use an alcohol based pen with markers. Markers are water based and alcohol and water don't mix. If you want to use a blender pen, try using the Dove and instead of blending on the paper after you've colored, scribble your marker on a plastic lid from a butter dish or the equivalent (I us a paint palette) And use the pen to transfer the color to your work. You'll get a nice watercolor look that way, you don't really get a nice look coloring first then trying to blend. And you can't blend on glossy paper. Won't work no matter how much you try.
You can't use an alcohol based pen with markers. Markers are water based and alcohol and water don't mix. If you want to use a blender pen, try using the Dove and instead of blending on the paper after you've colored, scribble your marker on a plastic lid from a butter dish or the equivalent (I us a paint palette) And use the pen to transfer the color to your work. You'll get a nice watercolor look that way, you don't really get a nice look coloring first then trying to blend. And you can't blend on glossy paper. Won't work no matter how much you try.
Cadrmn2d@aol.com
i think the dove blender works great with leplumes. for a watercolor effect, first apply a layer of blender ink to your paper; then touch the blender pen to the leplume and lay a wash of color over the ink on the paper. it takes a little practice, but i think it's beautiful
i think the dove blender works great with leplumes. for a watercolor effect, first apply a layer of blender ink to your paper; then touch the blender pen to the leplume and lay a wash of color over the ink on the paper. it takes a little practice, but i think it's beautiful
RuberJoker@aol.com
Take your LePlumes or Marvy's and squibble on acatate or watercolor plastic thing (I can't think of the name). Anyway, then take your dove blender and pick up some of the color and then color on your paper with this. To clean your dove blender between colors just squibble on some blanck paper, Sometimes you wind up with a neat background this way too.
Take your LePlumes or Marvy's and squibble on acatate or watercolor plastic thing (I can't think of the name). Anyway, then take your dove blender and pick up some of the color and then color on your paper with this. To clean your dove blender between colors just squibble on some blanck paper, Sometimes you wind up with a neat background this way too.
Elaine Normandy elaine@stardel.com
When you use the blender pen I have been told that you put the color at the top of the image to be colored and pull that color down with the blender. I tend to take the blender and rub it over the tip of my marker to pick up color and then apply to my image which tends to give it a water color look though this is a somewhat tedious process. Another way to get a water color look is take your marker and rub it over some plastic and pick it up with the blender. As with anything, I think that it really just takes some practice to get the look you want.
When you use the blender pen I have been told that you put the color at the top of the image to be colored and pull that color down with the blender. I tend to take the blender and rub it over the tip of my marker to pick up color and then apply to my image which tends to give it a water color look though this is a somewhat tedious process. Another way to get a water color look is take your marker and rub it over some plastic and pick it up with the blender. As with anything, I think that it really just takes some practice to get the look you want.
rubberchickenlady@juno.com Betsy McLoughlin
Here's a method I tried recently and really love the look:
Here's a method I tried recently and really love the look:
Stamp your image using the Printworks outliner pads or other pads that will not bleed. Use an artist's palette and scribble your color in there with a marvy or tombow pen. Then with a small amount of water, mix the color and water, then paint image on. No lines and a beautiful effect.
The Dove blender works wonderfully - but not on all types of paper - you need to experiment papers. The dove blender is a great replacement for a paintbrush. You can also use the dove blender to do the above method. Give it a try and have fun!
ConnieKo@aol.com
The Berol Prismacolor blender pen is fine for blending colored pencils, but will not work for any waterbased marker such as Marvy, Tombow or Impress.
The Berol Prismacolor blender pen is fine for blending colored pencils, but will not work for any waterbased marker such as Marvy, Tombow or Impress.
To blend those markers, one of the best techniques is using a Dove brand blender or a Tombow blender. Apply color to the tip of the blender and use the blender tip as a color applicator. Take some yellow and dab it onto the blender tip, then add pink to the blender tip and touch the tip onto a scrap paper to see if you've got the blend you want. If so, apply the color to the piece you are coloring. The color will begin to run out and you can reload or wipe the blender tip on paper til it runs clear again. It doesn't hurt to have a blender pen for dark colors and one for light. The Dove and Tombow are quite different, too. Dove is juicier by far and can be refilled. The Tombow tip is made of a more firm material than the Dove.
Robin & Denny adrlm@ccia.com
Hello! When I bought my blender pen over the weekend,I also bought these kind of crayons,you color in just a little bit and then you take you blender and color and pull the color around. You can also use two colors at once. The crayons are called Neocolor ll They are watersoluble artists' crayons. They work beautifully!
Hello! When I bought my blender pen over the weekend,I also bought these kind of crayons,you color in just a little bit and then you take you blender and color and pull the color around. You can also use two colors at once. The crayons are called Neocolor ll They are watersoluble artists' crayons. They work beautifully!
Sandy Lemons slemons@iamerica.net
Actually, you can make any pen a blender. Take an empty, dried up pen of your choice, Tombow or Marvy LePlume, preferably a light color like yellow or a pale tan. Gently take it apart and immerse the long felt like core into a glass of warm water..and wait. Change the water several times a day unto no more leeches out. Don't forget to do the tip, too. I really dislike the size and shape of the replacement tips available. I love the long thin tips of the LePlumes. Then squeeze out the excess water and let it dry a couple of days, then soak...lightly..the core with blending fluid and reassemble. Or you can reassemble, then drop the fluid in that way. Be sure to soak the tip to get the thing jump started.
Actually, you can make any pen a blender. Take an empty, dried up pen of your choice, Tombow or Marvy LePlume, preferably a light color like yellow or a pale tan. Gently take it apart and immerse the long felt like core into a glass of warm water..and wait. Change the water several times a day unto no more leeches out. Don't forget to do the tip, too. I really dislike the size and shape of the replacement tips available. I love the long thin tips of the LePlumes. Then squeeze out the excess water and let it dry a couple of days, then soak...lightly..the core with blending fluid and reassemble. Or you can reassemble, then drop the fluid in that way. Be sure to soak the tip to get the thing jump started.
Yes, you can get refill blending fluid. I have some. I'm personally convinced that it's nothing more than watered down glycerine. It feels like, tastes like, acts like glycerine. I would guess it's about 50/50. I used distilled or boiled water to mix with some pure glycerine I had and it worked perfectly.
Try it, these suggestions cost you nothing except a little bit of time and you could discover something really useful. I suggest you have a little bottle of glycerine on hand anyway to give a little extra life to your stamping pads. I use it straight almost exclusively for embossing fluid.
Sandy Lemons slemons@iamerica.net
You use denatured alcohol to refill the Berol Prismacolor blenders...not the Tombow or Leplumes. The alcohol `melts' the wax that holds the pigment of the colored pencils together. It works great! I bought some denatured alcohol at the hardware store for about 5 bucks a quart. I had three dried up Berol blenders and refilled them all and they work perfectly now. Get you a variety of Berol blenders, then when they are dry, just refillthem for practically free. Rubbing alcohol does not work well at all. Just don't get them mixed up. Glycerine forwater pens like Marvy and LePlume and alcohol for pencils.
You use denatured alcohol to refill the Berol Prismacolor blenders...not the Tombow or Leplumes. The alcohol `melts' the wax that holds the pigment of the colored pencils together. It works great! I bought some denatured alcohol at the hardware store for about 5 bucks a quart. I had three dried up Berol blenders and refilled them all and they work perfectly now. Get you a variety of Berol blenders, then when they are dry, just refillthem for practically free. Rubbing alcohol does not work well at all. Just don't get them mixed up. Glycerine forwater pens like Marvy and LePlume and alcohol for pencils.
StFlossie@aol.com
Is one any better than the other? Work the same? Cost the same? What?
Is one any better than the other? Work the same? Cost the same? What?
Rubberdz@aol.com
I like the Tombow tips better... (the brush tip is longer.. more brush like and flexible) and there's the fine point tip on the other end (which I didn't even know was there for the longest time) for more detailed areas... But the Dove is the best value if you do a LOT of blending... since you can replace tips and refill with fluid....
I like the Tombow tips better... (the brush tip is longer.. more brush like and flexible) and there's the fine point tip on the other end (which I didn't even know was there for the longest time) for more detailed areas... But the Dove is the best value if you do a LOT of blending... since you can replace tips and refill with fluid....
Laura A. merlin@uia.net
I use my Dove blender all the time with my watercolor pencils. It works fabulously!
I use my Dove blender all the time with my watercolor pencils. It works fabulously!
Ria Vaneman vaneman@worldonline.nl
Why should you use a blender pen, when you can use WATER? and a brush!!
Why should you use a blender pen, when you can use WATER? and a brush!!
Juliet Page julepage@access.digex.net
I use the blender pen for my watercolor pencils when I'm traveling on airplanes. When I'm at home I use the brush and water, because I do have more control that way. When I'm on a biz trip though, I prestamp and emboss the images, then I just take a little ziplock pouch with my blender pen, the watercolor pencils and the images cut down to pouch size and toss it in my briefcase. Voila' a travel kit to go... and you don't get the strange looks from airline attendants or passengers for that matter when you ask for a glass with ½ inch of water in it!
I use the blender pen for my watercolor pencils when I'm traveling on airplanes. When I'm at home I use the brush and water, because I do have more control that way. When I'm on a biz trip though, I prestamp and emboss the images, then I just take a little ziplock pouch with my blender pen, the watercolor pencils and the images cut down to pouch size and toss it in my briefcase. Voila' a travel kit to go... and you don't get the strange looks from airline attendants or passengers for that matter when you ask for a glass with ½ inch of water in it!
Diana Stagg mimistagg@email.msn.com
I use the Dove Blender to create a watercolor look. I apply the colors(usually Tombow or Marvy Watercolor Pens) to a ceramic tile , I use the Dove blender to "Pick Up" the color and apply it to my work. I can create colors by mixing on the tile, I can shade by picking up more intense colors and continue to use the blender as the color diminishes. I stamp usually in brown or gray ink, this way as I color the work begins to look as if I had created it ALL myself. To clean the color from the blender (I wear OLD jeans) i just wipe the tip on my jeans, and begin using the next color. You can replace the nibs, and the pen is refillable too. Enjoy your new toy.
I use the Dove Blender to create a watercolor look. I apply the colors(usually Tombow or Marvy Watercolor Pens) to a ceramic tile , I use the Dove blender to "Pick Up" the color and apply it to my work. I can create colors by mixing on the tile, I can shade by picking up more intense colors and continue to use the blender as the color diminishes. I stamp usually in brown or gray ink, this way as I color the work begins to look as if I had created it ALL myself. To clean the color from the blender (I wear OLD jeans) i just wipe the tip on my jeans, and begin using the next color. You can replace the nibs, and the pen is refillable too. Enjoy your new toy.
D1derly@aol.com
Subject: EP Sticks to Dove blender pen fluid!
We made some interesting discoveries while demo'ing at the State Fair a couple weeks ago! First of all, we were using the Tombow dual-tipped blender marker, and in the non-air conditioned building, with very frequent use for 12 hours a day, it started to dry out (of course!) So, we used the Dove blender refill fluid on the tip, and it worked wonderfully. One of the things we were using the blender pen for was moistening watercolor pencil marks (we used Staedtler Watercolor pencils to fill in things like balloon images and little light bulbs for a Christmas tree branch, and then went over what we colored in with the blender pen to smooth out the color). Well, one time after filling in the light bulbs on the tree, I embossed clear EP onto a "Merry Christmas" stamped in black Colorbox off to the side. The EP also stuck to where the blender pen marks were, and the result was the inside of the bulbs getting embossed in clear (like a thin layer of Crystal Laquer). I thought I'd pass this along for those who may not have already discovered it, so they can experiment and see what else they can do with it!
Subject: EP Sticks to Dove blender pen fluid!
We made some interesting discoveries while demo'ing at the State Fair a couple weeks ago! First of all, we were using the Tombow dual-tipped blender marker, and in the non-air conditioned building, with very frequent use for 12 hours a day, it started to dry out (of course!) So, we used the Dove blender refill fluid on the tip, and it worked wonderfully. One of the things we were using the blender pen for was moistening watercolor pencil marks (we used Staedtler Watercolor pencils to fill in things like balloon images and little light bulbs for a Christmas tree branch, and then went over what we colored in with the blender pen to smooth out the color). Well, one time after filling in the light bulbs on the tree, I embossed clear EP onto a "Merry Christmas" stamped in black Colorbox off to the side. The EP also stuck to where the blender pen marks were, and the result was the inside of the bulbs getting embossed in clear (like a thin layer of Crystal Laquer). I thought I'd pass this along for those who may not have already discovered it, so they can experiment and see what else they can do with it!
WBean05495@aol.com
The idea of a blender pen is not to blend the color AFTER it is on the paper, but before. Take a marker in one hand and your blender in the hand you write with. Touch the blender to the tip of the marker and then "draw" on a piece of scrap paper until you see the color you want. This is a way to get "shades" of the same color on paper. It's sort of like watercoloring with a pen. It's fun and easy and you get some varied results. You can also do the same method with Water Color Pencils and regualr colored pencils. When you are ready to switch colors, just draw on your scrap paper until there is no color. Now the blender is clean and ready for a new color. Have fun, and hope this helps !!!
The idea of a blender pen is not to blend the color AFTER it is on the paper, but before. Take a marker in one hand and your blender in the hand you write with. Touch the blender to the tip of the marker and then "draw" on a piece of scrap paper until you see the color you want. This is a way to get "shades" of the same color on paper. It's sort of like watercoloring with a pen. It's fun and easy and you get some varied results. You can also do the same method with Water Color Pencils and regualr colored pencils. When you are ready to switch colors, just draw on your scrap paper until there is no color. Now the blender is clean and ready for a new color. Have fun, and hope this helps !!!