C&T Publishing

Love these! We just released the Derwent Inktense Blocks this month and I couldn’t wait to give them a whirl on fabric and some other surfaces. As you can see in the picture, I gave these blocks a workout!

What’s really cool about these is the intensity of the color from such a small block. You can vary it of course, depending on your desire.  At first they seem like any ordinary pastel crayon (only harder), but the magic happens when water is introduced.

Colorwash

This sample demonstrates how the ink block rubs on to mul•tex^® and what happens at the top of each color swipe after brushing water over it. The color pops and comes to life!

Blending

You can get endless effects from blending your colors directly on fabric. As you work with your wet brush, you’re able to vary the level of blending. The amount of water you use will also effect the outcome. The color becomes permanent when dry.

Drawing—wet on wet, dry on wet, and so on…

Here the fabric was given a light brown wash.  While the fabric was still wet, the dry block is used to draw. If the fabric is really wet, you can get a bolder stroke with more bleed.

Dry block on wet surface

Continuing the drawing as the fabric begins to dry

Spattering

You can create little “inkwells” on the blocks themselves just by working a wet brush onto it, then flick or drip the ink from your brush on to your surface.

Grating blocks

This little grater is so cool.  You can grate the blocks into the jar, then add water to create a waterwash blend to tint with.

Gingham fabric before

Gingham fabric after tinting

Here the ink block was grated directly onto the fabric, then brushed with a wet brush to give the streaky effects.

I really enjoyed experimenting with Inktense blocks, they’re so easy to use! There is no mess…a very tidy medium, if I do say so myself. Definitely look forward to incorporating this medium into future projects.

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