Thursday, October 13, 2016

Second Thursday Tutorial: more crayon ideas


Last month when I featured crayons for my Second Thursday tutorial, my friend Helen asked why I removed the protective covering from the crayons, or at least some of them.

Originally, I had intended to run them through my low melt heat gun, but realized I might never get it clean if I did.   That was when I decided to use a tealight candle to create drops or dots instead.

I also planned to use my electric pencil sharpener instead of hand items like cheese graters or paring knives to create shreddings, but realized I didn't want to mess with it, because it sits so high on my shelf.  I'm on my tip toes here, and that is why this photo is so fuzzy. 

Those are ideas some of you might want to try if you want to drip your crayons, or if you want shredded crayons.

However, this month I want to go a totally different route.  I'm beginning with turpenoid, which is a safe and scentless turpentine substitute.

It is not inexpensive, though.  This is not an efficient way to purchase it either, unless you don't think you'll use it for anything other than this one experiment.

Chris commented that she tried to determine what the image was that was left after the taped image came off and stuck to the inside of the Tuesday Morning package.  I agree that I would never have known what it was

if I hadn't inked it up.  It's supposed to be a picture of wine bottles, which I thought would be appropriate for our T Stands For Tuesday group.  Instead, it looks less like wine bottles to me and more like 2 liter bottles of soft drinks.  I decided to play with a tag I cut.  One thing I've learned is, you don't need a lot of cushion under your stamp to get a decent image, but you DO need something.  A sheet of paper (kitchen) towel folded in half works nicely.

Of course, because I'm sure you are better at this than I, you'll try to align the stamp in the center of the tag!

At least I got the entire image on the tag, but just barely.  I used Staz-on black because I needed something that would withstand the turpenoid.  In fact, I wasn't sure solvent ink (which Staz-on is) would hold up to this technique.

I first poured some turpenoid on part of the image, then let the yellow sit in it for a minute while the turpenoid dissolved the crayon.  I did the same with the blue crayon.  I've never owned any of those water soluble crayons, but I suspect they react in a similar way.  The turpenoid simply dissolves or melts the crayon.

Of course, I had trouble keeping the crayon inside the lines, because, as it dissolved, it migrated.

As I worked, I noticed how the turpenoid had spread around the tag.

I even wondered if once the turpenoid dried, it would leave an evident stain.

Several hours later I checked and all evidence of the turpenoid was gone.  I'm not sure this is an experiment many of you would care to repeat, because I'm sure most have water soluble crayons.  But I thought it might be a different way to use your excess crayons in a different way.  They certainly don't look or feel like crayons after you place them in turpenoid.

Once this goes live, I'll add it to my Tutorials page under "Who can resist crayons, too," although it's probably the weakest Second Thursday Tutorial I've created this year.  Of course, it's all about experimenting, and living with the results and consequences.  Sometimes the technique works and sometimes it's less than successful.  Regardless, I just appreciate you dropping by and spending time viewing, laughing, and learning from my mistakes or flubs.

18 thoughtful remarks:

Helen said...

another useful experiment!

Valerie-Jael said...

Experimenting is fun, and something most of like to do. If I ant my crayon colours to melt I usually colour 'dry' and then blast them with the heat gun. This also gives some fun effects, even if it wasn't always what I wanted. Thanks for sharing your experiment with us! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

It's always great to try stuff. I have never even tried crayons so I have a long way to go yet.

Have fun

Love Chrissie xx

My name is Erika. said...

Experimenting is what its all about. The final product isn't the end all. I love learning new things and new techniques, and I think if you want to use up some crayons or don't have water solubles, this is a good idea. The more you know, the more you can do. I enjoyed the post. :) Hugs-Erika

Darla said...

Never heard of turpenoid. I wonder how else it might be used. I always enjoy your experiments and tutorials. I think your results in this case are quite interesting.

Jeanie said...

I love that you are always experimenting and trying new techniques. It always yields an interesting finished project and I rather like this one!

Krisha said...

Well, you know me ......I'll try most anything, and I found this tutorial to be most interesting!
I love the fact that the solvent didn't leave a halo.
Thanks for sharing.

froebelsternchen said...

You made it as super as always and as the other wrote already - it' s always the experiment that counts-- I often think when I do things to experiment that this is childish of me or that it is stupid.. and no.. I learned meanwhile that when nobody would do such things that I call stupid or childish or if no mistakes would happen ever we wouldn't be able to learn new fascinating techniques! I love oilpastels and waxcrayons and I love the rubbing techniques with them and resist-techniques for watercoloring ..
Thank you so much for another ´Thursday technique post Elizabeth - carry on - I love your posts!

Meggymay said...

Its always good to read about your experiments. Not sure if I would try this one, but your results look good, lovely colours.
Yvonne xx

Anonymous said...

What a cool tutorial. Great use of the ordinary to create the extra-ordinary touch. xox

peggy gatto said...

Thanks!

Sandra Cox said...

Wow! I love this image. You really put some time into this...as you do all your work.

~*~Patty S said...

Experimenting is fun and you are also so generous and "real" about sharing your explorations E!
Thank you for that.
You certainly are right about one never being able to guess that your colors started out as crayons!
I was excited about the idea of using a hot glue gun with a crayon but I guess that would get messy.
oxo

Linda Kunsman said...

You are so generous to share so many experiments with us all Elizabeth! I have never heard of the turpenoid solution. And I think you are right. From the looks of this it does give the same results as that of watercolor crayons since I have them. Thanks for sharing!!

Rita said...

Never woould have thought of that. Turned out very artsy looking. Almost like water colored. Cool! :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh I do love seeing your experiments in art Elizabeth! This looks fabulous! Oh yes…bottles - of course!! Hugs, Chrisx

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