Have you ever used colored pencils in your planner, art journal or bible journaling page? Did you like the pencil strokes or did you want a smooth finish? I’ve got a trick for you!

If you want to have smooth pencil strokes try using Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits. This is usually used by Oil Painters to thin their paint.   This solvent breaks down the binder in the colored pencil so that the pigment can “flow together”.  I have found that it works great blending colored pencils and creating “magic right before your eyes”.

How To Use Gamsol 

How to use Gamsol and Colored Pencils:

1.     Color your image (you need a good amount of pigment on the paper)

2.     Dip a blending stump, paint brush or Q-Tip into the gamsol and begin to blend (you shouldn’t have to rub very hard). It really works like magic!!!

3.     After the gamsol dries, you can actually add another layer of color on top to add shading or highlights 

What Colored Pencils Work Best?

It really doesn’t matter which brand of colored pencils you used.  I tried the following colored pencils (listed from $ to $$) and they all blended well with the Gamsol.  They all created magic! 

1. Crayola Colored Pencils (12 count for $3.89) I must say that I was shocked that these pencils actually worked with the Gamsol.  The only drawback is that the colors are not as vibrant but cost wise….they are great! On another page, I actually used my grandson’s Crayola Silly Scents and they worked well and smelled good too!

2. Staedtler (12 count is $6.84) They worked much better than I expected but they did leave pencil shavings on the paper.

3. Arteza (48 count is $18.99) These colored pencils are very creamy. They come in a cardboard round container and that makes it easier to transport. 

4. Prismacolor Premiere (12 count is $.12.37) This brand is the most expensive colored pencils. If you like this technique (or using colored pencils, I suggest that you look for a 40% off coupon to one of the local hobby stores). These are vibrant, creamy and blend very well.

If you look at the example above, the first two pictures are just colored pencils on drawing paper. The last two pictures is the same colored pencils on drawing paper but I’ve adding Gamsol. The Gamsol makes the image smooth and takes away most of the pencil strokes.

I was amazed that there really wasn’t much difference between the cheap and the more expensive colored pencils. All the costs and links above are from Amazon.com Arteza doesn’t have any sets fewer than 48 that I could find on Amazon.com. Prices can vary and may be different than what is listed above.

 The Way I Store My Gamsol

I actually put a small amount of Gamsol in a mason jar so that I don’t contaminate the entire bottle of solvent when I dip into it with a blending stump. Also, it’s much easier to use and I’m not worried that I will spill the entire container on my table.

 Give It A Try 

I would recommend experimenting with colored pencils and Gamsol.  Just use whatever supplies you have on hand and decide if you like this technique.  Start with a set of the cheaper colored pencils first and if you enjoy the “magic” you might want to invest in Prismacolor Premiere pencils. Be sure and watch for those 40% off coupons from your local art/hobby store.

You can use this technique in your Bible, art journal, planner, coloring book or whatever medium you choose.  The only thing that I’ve found is that it can react differently depending on the surface that you use. So be sure and test it out on a scrap page before you start so that you don’t ruin your page.

Good Luck!

Let’s Create “Magic” Together!