Looking to take your coloring pages to the next level? Colorists send me a lot of questions about how they can improve, such as "What can be done to transform something good into something GREAT?" I'm all about the mixed media experience. Why not experiment with some new materials that you never thought of using? Adding a little extra zest and spice to your art will make it stand out. Texture and a little bit of flash are key. You've got to think outside of the box!

​

I recently did a live Color-Along on Facebook that had an unusual number of views. The topic was PanPastel and it's versatility. PanPastel is a cake-like powder that is much more user-friendly than traditional pastel, and a lot less dusty. It goes on smoothly, like butter, and covers and blends with ease. It can be used as a solid background for your coloring pages, or as a gradation of one color into another, and it goes on quickly with Sofft tools that come with many of the sets that are available. PanPastel can also be applied with kitchen utensils, stampers and other found objects for special effects, using a tacky ink, like VersaMark, to make it stick. The process is really interesting because you don't stamp the pastel directly. You can watch my experimentation with the VersaMark Watermark stamp pad, PanPastels and some stampers and other items by clicking here, on my Facebook artist page. You can use small stamp designs and control how much texture you want over the surface...or you can try larger stampers with a faux texture, like crackle or lace, for more open spaces. Traditional rubber stamps work well, but you can experiment with one of the newer "cling" style stamps to add some variety. I've listed several below. For my recommendations on beginners skin tone PanPastels and tools to use to achieve creamy and rich complexions, visit my recommended products page, here. I must add that whenever you use a powder-base medium, you really should consider a fixative spray. You can try a workable fixative if you plan to add on to your artwork at a later point. The one that I have used for decades is on my recommended products page. There are also pastel-specific fixatives. Planning to frame, hang or display your finished art? If you want to keep something in tact over time, you should use quality products instead of cutting corners. It's money well spent. :)