What's a "Dove Blender"?

A Blending Medium, specially formulated to make "floating" or blending color easier. It will enable one to blend several hues together, giving one more variation with their mediums. The Dove Blender will allow one to achieve more variation and depth without using many colors. The Dove Blender works with all water based markers, colored pencils, chalks, dye pads and pigment pads. The Blender never has to be replaced; it is easily refillable, and the nibs are replaceable.

Blending Techniques on Embossed Images:
With the tip of your water based markers, lay a hint of color on the actual embossed line of an image. This color is now sitting on the surface of the embossed line. the embossed lines serve as a palette, making it easier to move the color, thus eliminating a hard line created by the marker. Working in a circular motion and in small areas, use the Dove Blender to pull out the marker color into the open area of the design.

When this process is completed, a light application of color will appear on the image. To prevent the color from appearing too washed out, continue to add more color using the marker and the Dove Blender until the desired depth of color is achieved. Start with lighter colors and then gradually add darker colors. Limit the colors to be used. Three basic colors differing in intensity, plus variations in value, will give life and interest to a stamped image.

Helpful Blending Tips:
Place several short strokes of Water Based Marker color onto a white Styrofoam plate or plastic palette. Using the Dove Blender, pick up the marker color and apply it to the stamped image.

When working with an intense color, to lighten that color, touch the tip of the marker to the tip of the Dove Blender. By touching the tip of the Dove Blender with the tip of the marker, the marker color that has transferred to the blender tip will be lighter in value.

Apply the Dove Blender to the stamped image first working in small areas at a time. This "preps" the area and allows one to apply various marker colors to blend directly onto the card.

Before changing colors, wipe the blender clean on a scrap piece of paper. Be careful not to pick up too much color. If there is too much, simply wipe the blender tip on a scrap piece of paper before coloring the image.

For a realistic blended look, layer color on top of color. For example: Start with Tombow marker color #673 (Orchid) and add #636 (Imperial Purple) or blend colors on a palette, then apply to image.

When using Water Color Pencils, take each color you are going to use and make a palette by scribbling a little color on a scrap piece of paper with all the colors, then take your Dove Blender and pick up the color and apply to your image.

When using Chalks, you can apply a little to the area you are coloring, or use an applicator and take the Dove Blender top to it to pick up the color, then apply to your image. When you are done there is no fixative needed because it fixes it when it is done.

When the Dove Blender becomes dry, simply pull the end cap off and add several drops of Dove Blending fluid. When the tip becomes frayed, simply pull the nib out and replace it with a new nib.

When using Water Color Paints, take the Dove Blender directly to it, pick up the color and start coloring your image.

Suggestions:
When blending the colors, use water based markers, colored pencils, chalks, dye pads, and pigment pads. An open lined image lends itself well to the blending technique. Use cover stock papers such as Hopper FeltWeave, Gilbert Oxford, Matrix Laid or Stampendous Watercolor Paper for the best results. Glossy, clay coated paper, such as King James brand or Kromecoat will not work.