PanPastel ~ Tutorial, Tips + Ideas

Hullo there everyone,

I have as some of you know this year had a certain birthday (ah, 21! you're so right! :D) and there were some extra special items received called PanPastels (PP).

Thought long and hard about investing in getting these but after conversing with B. or Brenda of Floral Fantasies, was convinced in the end of their merits. She does such lovely work with them and that is what sparked my interest (see here and here) and so did Eileen of Eileen's Crafty Zone - see here and here...

Now I am rather like B. in my use of PP, rather than how Eileen works with them. Eileen seems to go more often for the ultra bright use of them, and B. for scenes, backgrounds, etc. I like to apply them into everyday use.

 I thought would cover few things here, as I  could not find much info when researching, apart from help from Brenda.

Colour Choice:
Brenda said to go for your own choice, not sets and to  buy a dark and light of tones. That is mostly what I did as well as some neutrals. 

In choosing colours just remember you can use other colouring mediums with them. I have used the S.U chalks and Do-craft sets; also I recently mixed dye inks and the PP in colouring.

My motto is "TRY and SEE if it works", as usually it seems too. They are very, very versatile. I was worried about not having enough colours BUT as they blend so well this hasn't ever been a problem.

I chose the any 5 pans for £20.00,  from Oyster Crafts in UK. This Brenda said was the best deal she had found, and I agree. Post cost in UK is free, post cost to Australia was way over budget, so I had it sent to my UK family -> they posted it onto Oz (with my Greek slippers :D). 

As it was going to be one off purchase for me, I chose the 20 pans, plus tray & "Sofft" tools.

Sponges: I like the flat shaped sponges best (using the flat of edge to spread colour), not so much the round flat set, but do use tool for fine areas.

Below have used the Sofft sponge and makeup sponge at front of desk, for comparison.

Brenda said to get the Sofft sponges as they are much denser than regular makeup sponges. I agree but found it curious the makeup sponge (bottom purple line) was just as good as the Sofft sponge for them. I think it is easy in short uses; but long uses would become more difficult as looses shape easily.

Paper:
 Used above smooth paper, with white embossed French Script background stamp, four colours (at right) to match the image. Actually find almost all paper types work well with PP, so down to personal choice.

 This is linen cardstock with Stampscapes scene ~ stamped first, then coloured with PP.

 Laying down colour:

Colouring is important, working in same way as with brayer is helpful. I use, if doing large area like in the embossed French script background, a light shade as base coat over whole area, then it is much easier to blend with other colours to achieve desired shade.
Darker colours are sometimes rubbed off on scrap paper before adding to mix. You can rub them out but better if dont have to do it,

My father is an artist (see his work here and here), and he often starts canvases with an application of white oil paint (titanium white) on the whole of the canvas before building up his scenes.

Stamp before or afterwards?

Colour Spellbinder shape with PP, then stamped below, with black Archival ink

I could not find any clear help on this question, so have tried both ways, and think mostly afterwards is best.

 When I brayer usually stamp after brayering unless it has masking but with pastels found if you stamped image then coloured you loose some definition. Now some night like the softer look but not sure I do.

card 1 - with flower stamp from Scripture by Design, card sent to a Missionary friend in P.N.G, a good Bible verse for us all. "He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.".

The cards above and below is inked after colouring with pastels. The small sample linen Stampscapes scene card is inked before, so I will let you choose.

card 2 - published before so not entering it in challenges

To seal pastels, or not to seal? 

Usually I do prefer to set the pastels only because I like the look better - just spray several light sprays of hairspray (which Eileen suggests and uses). 

I also use Diamond Glimmer Mist for the light frosted look which I love.

However I think Brenda says she does not.

 See this post here for details on how this card on left was made with smooth paper, PP and Penny Black image.
{Edit: Hero Arts Delicate Leaf Cluster stamp}

Well, everyone I do hope this answers your queries on this matter - if any have more queries please ask, as tried to cover the queries which I had.

I will return comment, as much as able again - thanks for your patience :D you are really appreciated!

Thanks so very much for popping over for a peek and chat ~ and may God bless your day wherever you maybe!
Shaz in Oz.x
PS I would like to enter the Flower card in following challenges:

•  Words Art Wednesday - Anything goes card 1
• Stampin Sensations May Challenge - Embossing - dry or wet - enter card 1
• Anything goes challenge blog - Shaped but not square - enter card 1
• Without Words challenge - Flower for May - card 1

 Edit: Suggestion of using PP with Versamark (with a stamp or) with Plastic wrap was left by comment from "UKMaryanne" on another post, so sharing it here:

scrappystickyinkymess (http://scrappystickyinkymess.wordpress.com/) 

I have to admit to a real fondness for plastic wrap as a crafting tool. Have you tried this? Scrunch p a bit, and tamp it onto a Versamark pad, then onto the cardstock. Before it dries totally but after it's not too "wet", dust on the Pan Pastels. Looks really pretty!
EDIT 2: found two great posts - this isone on B.'s Blog - it answers a lot of queries:
 http://stamping-fantasies.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/pan-pastels-questions-answered.html
and one on Franka's Blog - shows using different toned inks over the PP - with great effect:
http://seasideart-fb.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/panpastel-giftcards.html