Watercoloring Stamped Images + Canvases with Distress Crayons
Hey friends, it’s Nina-Marie here with you today bringing you a video featuring the Tim Holtz Distress Crayons and how to do some fun watercoloring techniques with this unique medium! This video also features the super cute and BRAND NEW Crazy Dogs stamp set from Tim Holtz… lots of Tim Holtz inspiration to be had today! ;)
The Distress Crayons are one of the newest additions to the Distress line that was revealed by Tim Holtz and Ranger in early 2016. What makes the crayons unique from the other Distress mediums is that they become permanent once they’ve reacted with water. Whereas a Distress ink, stain or spray can be reactivated with water over and over, once Distress Crayons are activated the first time, you cannot reactivate them again.
In today’s video, I’ll be showing you how you can watercolor with the Distress Crayons on both watercolor paper and media board (canvas-covered chipboard). I chose both surfaces because they each have a bit of “tooth”; in other words, they are more rough in texture. If you want a watercolor paper that is more smooth, try Strathmore Bristol paper.
The watercolor paper I will be using today is the Canson XL paper and the canvas media boards are ones I picked up from my local craft store. However, I will link to a Dina Wakley media board assortment we have in the Simon store that is pretty much the exact same thing as what I used in today’s video. Do keep in mind that you will want to prep the canvas media board with gesso before applying your Distress Crayons over top because the coating on the media board is a bit slick; I’ll talk about this in the video as well and show you how I applied some Dina Wakley gesso over the canvas before watercoloring.
One of the things I love most about using a paper or canvas that has more of a rougher texture, is that it allows the texture of the crayons to show up better. The natural texture of the Distress Crayons adds a lot of interest to your project, and you can use this to your advantage when creating with this medium. In today’s video, I’ll show you how I enhanced the texture of the Distress Crayons when I applied the dot background to my mini canvas to create a bit more visual interest.
So to see these crayons in action and learn some tips and tricks for how to best use them in your watercoloring, be sure to check out the video below! If you enjoy the video, please give it a big thumbs up and subscribe to our YouTube channel and blog so that you do not miss any of our weekly posts and videos!
WATCH THE VIDEO
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Remember to tag your awesome projects with #simonsaysstamp on Instagram… We LOVE to see what you are creating!
Super projects!! I LOVE the mini canvas and the amazing background you’ve created. Such a sweet card too! I’ve never tried distress crayons before and am especially impressed with the stenciling you’ve done with them. Thanks for such a clear tutorial!
Beautiful! I’m working on the home work for Tim’s CC 103 class–love the distress crayons too!
Awesome coloring and fabulous video. Actually watched it several times, your coloring is beautiful and your projects are amazing! You are such an inspiration, TFS!
These crazy dogs are going to be a big hit like their crazy bird cousins!
You make it look very easy, they’re going on my wish list! TFS!
These are so cute, Nina! I love those TH crazy dogs. I’ve been wanting to try the crayons, but couldn’t decide why I should buy another medium. Now I get it. Thanks for the information and for sharing these adorable projects.
Nina, What an adorable pair of projects! Looks like so much fun to color with those Distress Crayons. I will need to get some quick!!! Thanks so much.
Okay….now I have to try playing with my crayons….I didn’t think I liked them, but then I saw these projects!
Great cards! :)
Nina, I have been intrigued with the crayons since they first came out. (former coloror) Your video answer several of my questions and I wouldl definitely buy them now. Wonderful job on the coloring and I agree adding layers of color really looks so cool. Thanks my little magician, see you next time. A fan.
The doggies are adorable
and wonderful work on the
creations.
Carla from Utah
Amazing projects, I love the canvas and the techniques!!
Love these fun dogs and the great effects you got from the distress crayons!
Those faces are priceless! GORGEOUS colors!!!
Fabulous backgrounds!
Great video, Love those crayons !! Those mini canvas are so sweet.
Wow, Nina, you topped yourself with these dog cards. You’ve picked 2 of my favorites from the set. Your coloring is awesome with such pleasing backgrounds. Your videos first got my attention when I saw how you make grass on the ground. :-) These cards are so well done that they should be framed!
Fantastic tutorial! Love the coloring and the little tips with the gesso and the crayon. Thanks a bunch!
This is one of the most informative and entertaining card process video I have seen in a long time.
I am ready to start coloring!
Oh my goodness…. I love these crazy dogs!!! Your projects turned out fabulously!!!
Super cute card and canvas! I love the canvas, so pretty and bold!!
super cute
Very cool–I didn’t realize these became permanent.
Oh, how adorable! Beautiful coloring on these fun projects Nina!
Great to see the distress crayons in action. Love both the card and the canvas.
What a cute card & canvas! Thanks for showing how to use these distress crayons – I had no idea they could be layered like that!
Wow!! Those distress crayons have fabulous color! Your projects are stunning & so refreshing! :)
Love these adorable dog canvas and card that you made using the Distress crayons and makes me want to make some frames. It makes me want to break out my frames and my Distress crayons along with my Crazy Cat stamps, I have a crazy cat named Koda, and then when I finally get my Crazy Dog stamp set, add that one to the bunch and stamp one that looks likes a Miss Nala and put the frames in my new studio in our new home we are building or in the living room. Thanks for inspiration!
Those dogs are adorable and a great idea to stamp on a little canvas.
These look great! So cute! I have not tried Distress Crayons yet! I always enjoy Nina-Marie’s videos – thank you!
Love these! The mini canvas is especially adorable! I just got a couple packs of distress crayons but haven’t had a chance to play with them yet! Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome cards Nina-Marie! I just love the expressions on the dogs’ faces. Thank you for the video. I remember watching some of the videos that introduced the distress crayons. They might take some getting used to.
These are totally amazing!! I am planning to watch the video as soon as the house empties tonight and then heading to my craft room!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Fabulous colouring! Yet another product I’m dying to try out for myself!
Super fun and creative ideas!!, looking forward to trying them out!!
Wow love the card and canvas. Thank you for showing how to watercolor with the crayons. I didn’t know you could layer the crayons.
Love that mini canvas should pick some up they would make great art to abandon for some lucky person to find :) love the colouring
I have not tried the Distress Crayons, but after seeing your great video I would like to experiment with them. Thanks for the inspiration ~
Fun cards. I just love the eyes on these dogs.
delightful projects. . . great background heating the crayons. . . thanks for the tutorial.
Those dog stamps are too funny.
I absolutely love the Crazy dogs!!!
I love these both. Those Crazy Dogs are so fun.
I am completely in love with these crazy dogs. I am glad that you showed us how to watercolor with Tim’s new distressed crayons.
As a dog lover, those images are just way too cute! Awesome work!
Love these projects, the mini canvas is super adorable, I gotta try these! Love the vibrant colors on these beautiful projects!
Love the look you’re able to get with these TH distress crayons.
The dog stamps are so adorable! Love them. Love the mini canvas. Great video.
These crayons look so cool! I love your project!
That is very cool the way you watercolored with the crayons. It turned out really good! I love those crazy critters of Tim Holtz.