To prevent pollution of water and avoid spontaneous combustion in a container, I simply pour a small amount of solvent onto a small amount of cotton batten sitting in a small metal cup. When I am finished with the solvent, I simply put the cotton batten and any other material such as a paper towel with solvent into a large empty metal container like a coffee can, empty large soup can, etc. I then take the metal container outside and burn its contents.
ok this might be a dumb question but I will ask it anyways in the interest of nature and not poisoning the fish of the sea. assuming its legal, have a safe area to do so, are mentally competent and don't have pyromaniac tendencies.......... can't you just light that sh*t up and call it a day? im serious!
I am not sure what the safety precautions and risks would be for lighting it on fire.. but it might be a possibility. You mentioned the fish… and I wanted to make it clear that I would never recommend dumping this in any drain EVER. It is bad for all of us when this goes in the drain.
Hi Lana, thanks for all your tips and info, much appreciated :) Question: could one use water color pencils in the first layer instead of colored pencils + solvents? What would be the difference or advantages/disadvantages to doing so (besides extra art supplies of course :))? Thanks in advance
I have used watercolor pencils for my base layer many times and I really like the combo of watercolor pencils + traditional colored pencils. I think you will have a little less control and your base layer will move around a little more with water soluble pencils, but if you are comfortable with a brush this may not be a big deal at all. My favorite water soluble pencils are caran d’ache museum aquarelles and Derwent inktense. amzn.to/3x1NwyW
Great video. You mentioned you like to use CP+solvent for your early stages of a drawing, since it fills in the white specks of the paper. Using a layer of watercolor paint underneath would do the same thing though, yes? So, as a watercolor artist, I'm trying to figure out if there's any advantage to me adding Gamsol to my process when making a colored pencil drawing. Any advice? Thanks!
I have done a watercolor base layer under colored pencil drawings and I don’t end up using the solvent on these drawings with a water color or a watercolor pencil base. Great point!
Hi Lana... What if you could just gently swipe the color pencil it self onto the "solvent soaked" sponge... THEN go straight to your art work to USE it? That way the lead in the color pencil would already be soft enough to give an EVEN spread of color onto the art work. 🤔
Have you tried this? I have played with this a little bit and didn't love the results personally, but it could totally work for other artists. Let me know if you give it a shot. Sorry for the super late response. I took an extended UA-cam break, but Im back and just posted a new video today if you are interested: Become a MASTER of Color Theory with This COMPLETE 4 Step Process ua-cam.com/video/--m2xTJFuDM/v-deo.html :) Happy New Year!!
Great video! I find that solvents will bring back the tooth of the paper when it stops accepting more layers. I'm careful to always use light pressure when coloring so as not to burnish down the tooth, so the solvent melts away the binder, giving me more tooth.
Really great video. Full of useful information well presented 👏. (Boy are your eyes ever bright 🌞 I kept wondering how would you draw that in colored pencil ☺ )
Wow! You've convinced me to give it another try with solvent. I think I just need to practice and play around with it more to see what it can do for me. Thanks!
New subscriber here.; what about Winsor & newton white spirit or any other particular solvent work best for particular pencil (wax/oil base)? Thanks for the great info-pack video!
Hey there! I haven’t used that particular solvent bEfore, but if it is an odorless no unreal spirit it should work with either pencil. There aren’t particular solvents better for one type of pencil… however some pencils do blend easier than others
Lovely video on solvent use!!! How should I plan to clean the brush after using solvent, and should I just keep that one brush for solvent use??? Thanks!
Thanks so much for watching! the solvent cleans the brush while you use it, so all you would need to do is to wipe excess on a paper towel. I usually just use my brushes for solvent and don't repurpose. Sorry for the super late response. I took an extended UA-cam break, but Im back and just posted a new video today if you are interested: Become a MASTER of Color Theory with This COMPLETE 4 Step Process ua-cam.com/video/--m2xTJFuDM/v-deo.html Happy New Year!
I have never used rubbing alcohol personally. I like to stick to artist grade materials and I know that odorless mineral spirits will be safe with my art supplies and won’t degrade or yellow over time.
I am glad you have found your t helpful and feel free to comment as much as you would like, ask questions etc. I love helping people find and develop their art
I've never been able to find airtight little containers like that. Only larger ones. I've seen others use jars but I love the square shape and extra tight seal. Do you have a link as to where you found them?
Im sorry about the late reply. I got mine at target a few years ago. I looked around on amazon and couldn't find a link to a similar product. But when you go looking around the little snap down lids with a rubber seal around the top seem to work well
Hi Lana, I got a recommendation for Zest it and bought that. I‘m not realy happy about and would like to know your opinion for that solvent. Perhaps I use it wrong 😬
Unfortunately I have never tried zest it. It is too expensive to get in the USA from the UK. I hear it is similar to eco house citrus solvent. I am not crazy about the smell of the citrus. I prefer an odorless. Eco house neutral thin is a great solvent. I also like gamsol. Based on my research these are as safe as citrus thinners. Citrus thinners still have chemicals that you need to be careful with.
@@LanaGloschatArt thank you! For now I’ll be drawing flowers and still lives as an introduction to values and textures, but my favorite genre are portraits. Your videos will be very useful. I’m so excited!
@@anarosol6133 I love flowers and portraits too. Today's video is on portraits... but its a very simple approach. Have you seen it yet? I bet you would like it ua-cam.com/video/lm36fhjej-E/v-deo.html
So glad you found it helpful! I definitely want people to use this safely and I sometimes worry that we don't talk about it enough.... Thanks for watching and supporting!
I just found your channel. You are so talented and your work is just gorgeous. I have always used pastels and Pastelmat.I would like to try colored pencils but I'm never satisfied with the blending.I am going to try the solvent. Can I use my pastelmat?What brand pencil would you recommend? Thank you for sharing your talent and experience.
Thank you so much! Here are some links to my favorite solvents: tinyurl.com/46fefdjn, tinyurl.com/yx8x9eam solvent totally works on pastelmat, but you can get away with using even LESS solvent. I play around with solvent on pastelmat in this older video: ua-cam.com/video/BX-T7wTV_D4/v-deo.html
Good info! Really like the container/sponge tip. I currently use the stainless can with strainer inset & lock tight clasps but you can’t see through it!
I am so glad you found it helpful! I was so excited when I heard about this sponge idea! It really helps me control how much I am using! If you know of other artists that might find this helpful please feel free to share! I’d love artists to be using solvent safely/efficiently as possible!
@@caselegance thanks so much for sharing! Let your friend know that eco house neutral thin is specially formulated to be hypoallergenic! It’s similar to gamsol and could be an alternative if any issues arrise!
Very informative video, thanks for all the useful tips! but i was wondering, what are the best alternatives to use in case i can´t get my hands on an actual solvent? i´ve heard of alcohol, paint thinner or baby oil but i´m not really sure.
I don’t love any of those options. Especially not paint thinner… it’s pretty toxic. Why wouldn’t you be able to get your hands on solvent? Where do you live? There are lots of different brands, so maybe I can help you find one that you can get in your region?
@@pallaviupadhyay6280 ok I haven’t looked in India before… but can you get products from England? If so… this one might be a good option: www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/zest-it-pencil-blend-citrus-free-250ml
@@LanaGloschatArt i'm from Dominican Republic. I've tried looking for them in some stores in my hometown but i haven't had luck finding them so far. I was thinking on waiting until i travel to the capital again and try to find them there(which is more likely) before trying to get there on internet, but i wanted to know which of these products i could use to practice in the meantime.
@@LanaGloschatArtust a little FYI…I am a moderator for a coloring group on Facebook and this sort of came up for one of our members, just in the past month. She lives in the Dead Sea area and she was asking what could be used in place of OMS because the officials in that area have literally banned it and anything similar because of the toxicity of it. So even if they order it from some other place, the officials will confiscate it. That is what happened to her.
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed Sorry for the super late response. I took an extended UA-cam break, but Im back and just posted a new video today if you are interested: Become a MASTER of Color Theory with This COMPLETE 4 Step Process ua-cam.com/video/--m2xTJFuDM/v-deo.html Happy New Year!
By minerals spirits are you referring to ODORLESS Mineral Spirits (OMS)... if so, that is exactly what I am talking about in this video... If you are referring to something else, my guess is that if it isn't a fine art grade material or if it has a heavy odor it probably wouldn't be a great product to use.
11:30 How to apply solvent. I went wrong with Gamsol by Gamlin and Mona Lisa so many times because --- I was using too much. Even dipping your brush in your pot of solvent and NOT wipping it off on side of the container AND then wiping it on a paper towel is the reason solvent doesn't work for some people. If we use too much, solvent removes layers of pigment from the drawing and gives the area a splotchy, rough look. The amount on your applicator (filbert brush, paper stump or cotton buds/ cue tips) is truly a matter of experimentation. If you blend up later layers, use as little as possible. Amount of solvent needed on the brush goes down as you blend for the 2nd or 3rd time -- a tiny amount goes a long way.
Thanks a bunch for this great video, Lana! - Looove the container/sponge tip. A long time ago I bought a small bottle of mona lisa odorless mineral spirits, but never used it...so after watching your video, I decided to try it, and I noticed that it expired in July 2019. I guess I have to find a place in my city to dispose it. Does Gamsol or any of the others Eco-House solvents expire?
I have never heard of any solvent expiring. Honestly, if it were me I might try a little of the Mona Lisa and see if it still works and make sure there isn’t an offensive smell, but it might be ok to use… I just don’t know why a solvent would ever expire…? Glad you found the video helpful! 😊
To prevent pollution of water and avoid spontaneous combustion in a container, I simply pour a small amount of solvent onto a small amount of cotton batten sitting in a small metal cup. When I am finished with the solvent, I simply put the cotton batten and any other material such as a paper towel with solvent into a large empty metal container like a coffee can, empty large soup can, etc. I then take the metal container outside and burn its contents.
Good idea! Thanks for sharing that!
ok this might be a dumb question but I will ask it anyways in the interest of nature and not poisoning the fish of the sea. assuming its legal, have a safe area to do so, are mentally competent and don't have pyromaniac tendencies..........
can't you just light that sh*t up and call it a day? im serious!
I am not sure what the safety precautions and risks would be for lighting it on fire.. but it might be a possibility. You mentioned the fish… and I wanted to make it clear that I would never recommend dumping this in any drain EVER. It is bad for all of us when this goes in the drain.
Hi Lana, thanks for all your tips and info, much appreciated :) Question: could one use water color pencils in the first layer instead of colored pencils + solvents? What would be the difference or advantages/disadvantages to doing so (besides extra art supplies of course :))? Thanks in advance
I have used watercolor pencils for my base layer many times and I really like the combo of watercolor pencils + traditional colored pencils. I think you will have a little less control and your base layer will move around a little more with water soluble pencils, but if you are comfortable with a brush this may not be a big deal at all. My favorite water soluble pencils are caran d’ache museum aquarelles and Derwent inktense. amzn.to/3x1NwyW
Thank you, Thank you for including safe handling and disposal in your discussion of solvents. So very important. As always, another informative video.
So that's how it's done!! I didn't even know that solvents were used! Once again some really great tips and info Lana!!👍💯
Yes! Yes if you haven’t tried with colored pencils it’s worth a shot! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and for your comment!
This is one of the most informative videos that I have seen. Great tutorial, Lana, Thanks.
Thanks so much for watching. So glad to hear it was helpful!!!
Great video. You mentioned you like to use CP+solvent for your early stages of a drawing, since it fills in the white specks of the paper. Using a layer of watercolor paint underneath would do the same thing though, yes? So, as a watercolor artist, I'm trying to figure out if there's any advantage to me adding Gamsol to my process when making a colored pencil drawing. Any advice? Thanks!
I have done a watercolor base layer under colored pencil drawings and I don’t end up using the solvent on these drawings with a water color or a watercolor pencil base. Great point!
Hi Lana...
What if you could just gently swipe the color pencil it self onto the "solvent soaked" sponge... THEN go straight to your art work to USE it?
That way the lead in the color pencil would already be soft enough to give an EVEN spread of color onto the art work. 🤔
Have you tried this? I have played with this a little bit and didn't love the results personally, but it could totally work for other artists. Let me know if you give it a shot. Sorry for the super late response. I took an extended UA-cam break, but Im back and just posted a new video today if you are interested:
Become a MASTER of Color Theory with This COMPLETE 4 Step Process ua-cam.com/video/--m2xTJFuDM/v-deo.html :)
Happy New Year!!
Great video! I find that solvents will bring back the tooth of the paper when it stops accepting more layers. I'm careful to always use light pressure when coloring so as not to burnish down the tooth, so the solvent melts away the binder, giving me more tooth.
Yes I have found this too! I like drawing over something that has been blended with solvent. It has a great texture
THANK YOUUUUU for making a video about this. ❤❤❤
Really great video. Full of useful information well presented 👏. (Boy are your eyes ever bright 🌞 I kept wondering how would you draw that in colored pencil ☺ )
Thanks so much! I am so glad to hear the video was helpful!! (It’s just bright studio lights on my eyes probably … ha ha)
Wow! You've convinced me to give it another try with solvent. I think I just need to practice and play around with it more to see what it can do for me. Thanks!
I’m glad to hear you’re going to keep playing around with it. Let me know how it goes!
New subscriber here.; what about Winsor & newton white spirit or any other particular solvent work best for particular pencil (wax/oil base)?
Thanks for the great info-pack video!
Hey there! I haven’t used that particular solvent bEfore, but if it is an odorless no unreal spirit it should work with either pencil. There aren’t particular solvents better for one type of pencil… however some pencils do blend easier than others
Lovely video on solvent use!!! How should I plan to clean the brush after using solvent, and should I just keep that one brush for solvent use??? Thanks!
Thanks so much for watching! the solvent cleans the brush while you use it, so all you would need to do is to wipe excess on a paper towel. I usually just use my brushes for solvent and don't repurpose.
Sorry for the super late response. I took an extended UA-cam break, but Im back and just posted a new video today if you are interested:
Become a MASTER of Color Theory with This COMPLETE 4 Step Process ua-cam.com/video/--m2xTJFuDM/v-deo.html
Happy New Year!
Awesome tips Lana, thank you for sharing! Got to try to put a sponge in the bottom of my jar, it seems an excellent idea!
Thanks so much! Yes I picked that sponge to up a while ago and I love using it that wAy! Glad you found it helpful and thanks for watching!
Bonjour Lana. Is rubbing alcohol any good as a solvent? What precautions should be used in using rubbing alcohol? Merci bien.
I have never used rubbing alcohol personally. I like to stick to artist grade materials and I know that odorless mineral spirits will be safe with my art supplies and won’t degrade or yellow over time.
Do you use texture fixative with solvent?
I know I am commenting every video. Bitte hey, again! This channel is gorgeous🎉!
I am glad you have found your t helpful and feel free to comment as much as you would like, ask questions etc. I love helping people find and develop their art
I've never been able to find airtight little containers like that. Only larger ones. I've seen others use jars but I love the square shape and extra tight seal. Do you have a link as to where you found them?
Im sorry about the late reply. I got mine at target a few years ago. I looked around on amazon and couldn't find a link to a similar product. But when you go looking around the little snap down lids with a rubber seal around the top seem to work well
I am sensitive to smells and get a headache from most solvents; had no problems when using zest it.
That’s good to know! I have had a hard time getting zest it in the US
Forgive me, you are so pretty x Great video and info!
thanks
Can I use watercolor pencils with solvent?
NO. just use water with watercolor pencils. Save solvent for traditional colored pencils.
Hi Lana, I got a recommendation for Zest it and bought that. I‘m not realy happy about and would like to know your opinion for that solvent. Perhaps I use it wrong 😬
Unfortunately I have never tried zest it. It is too expensive to get in the USA from the UK. I hear it is similar to eco house citrus solvent. I am not crazy about the smell of the citrus. I prefer an odorless. Eco house neutral thin is a great solvent. I also like gamsol. Based on my research these are as safe as citrus thinners. Citrus thinners still have chemicals that you need to be careful with.
@@LanaGloschatArt Thank you very much Lana, but Zest it is citrus free 👍
@@melittaoltmanns7723 darn I must have my products confused. Sorry about that.
I’m just starting with this technique and your advice has been extremely helpful
That is wonderful to here. Please let me know how it goes for you! What subjects are you drawing?
@@LanaGloschatArt thank you! For now I’ll be drawing flowers and still lives as an introduction to values and textures, but my favorite genre are portraits. Your videos will be very useful. I’m so excited!
@@anarosol6133 I love flowers and portraits too. Today's video is on portraits... but its a very simple approach. Have you seen it yet? I bet you would like it ua-cam.com/video/lm36fhjej-E/v-deo.html
Another excellent video, thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
So useful information! Thank you, Lana!
So glad you found it helpful! I definitely want people to use this safely and I sometimes worry that we don't talk about it enough.... Thanks for watching and supporting!
I just found your channel. You are so talented and your work is just gorgeous.
I have always used pastels and Pastelmat.I would like to try colored pencils but I'm never satisfied with the blending.I am going to try the solvent.
Can I use my pastelmat?What brand pencil would you recommend?
Thank you for sharing your talent and experience.
Thank you so much!
Here are some links to my favorite solvents: tinyurl.com/46fefdjn, tinyurl.com/yx8x9eam
solvent totally works on pastelmat, but you can get away with using even LESS solvent. I play around with solvent on pastelmat in this older video: ua-cam.com/video/BX-T7wTV_D4/v-deo.html
Good info! Really like the container/sponge tip. I currently use the stainless can with strainer inset & lock tight clasps but you can’t see through it!
I am so glad you found it helpful! I was so excited when I heard about this sponge idea! It really helps me control how much I am using! If you know of other artists that might find this helpful please feel free to share! I’d love artists to be using solvent safely/efficiently as possible!
@@LanaGloschatArt yes, I just shared it to a friend who is allergic to many paint supplies. We’re trying Gamsol on canvas & loving the affect!
@@caselegance thanks so much for sharing! Let your friend know that eco house neutral thin is specially formulated to be hypoallergenic! It’s similar to gamsol and could be an alternative if any issues arrise!
I use a waterbrush to apply solvent.
Nice hack!
Very informative video, thanks for all the useful tips! but i was wondering, what are the best alternatives to use in case i can´t get my hands on an actual solvent? i´ve heard of alcohol, paint thinner or baby oil but i´m not really sure.
I don’t love any of those options. Especially not paint thinner… it’s pretty toxic. Why wouldn’t you be able to get your hands on solvent? Where do you live? There are lots of different brands, so maybe I can help you find one that you can get in your region?
I live india I also could not find a solvent so if you have the time could you please help?
@@pallaviupadhyay6280 ok I haven’t looked in India before… but can you get products from England? If so… this one might be a good option: www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/zest-it-pencil-blend-citrus-free-250ml
@@LanaGloschatArt i'm from Dominican Republic. I've tried looking for them in some stores in my hometown but i haven't had luck finding them so far. I was thinking on waiting until i travel to the capital again and try to find them there(which is more likely) before trying to get there on internet, but i wanted to know which of these products i could use to practice in the meantime.
@@LanaGloschatArtust a little FYI…I am a moderator for a coloring group on Facebook and this sort of came up for one of our members, just in the past month. She lives in the Dead Sea area and she was asking what could be used in place of OMS because the officials in that area have literally banned it and anything similar because of the toxicity of it. So even if they order it from some other place, the officials will confiscate it. That is what happened to her.
Great informative video.
Thanks so much! Glad to hear it was helpful
Great information! Thank you!
You are welcome!!
Molto utile, grazie! ❤
Thanks for watching. I am glad to have you here!
Thank you so much!
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed
Sorry for the super late response. I took an extended UA-cam break, but Im back and just posted a new video today if you are interested:
Become a MASTER of Color Theory with This COMPLETE 4 Step Process ua-cam.com/video/--m2xTJFuDM/v-deo.html
Happy New Year!
What about using mineral spirits?
By minerals spirits are you referring to ODORLESS Mineral Spirits (OMS)... if so, that is exactly what I am talking about in this video... If you are referring to something else, my guess is that if it isn't a fine art grade material or if it has a heavy odor it probably wouldn't be a great product to use.
@@LanaGloschatArt
Thank you - I do mean odorless mineral spiritis. Love your videos!
your smile is so contagious Lana , beautiful.❤
You are so nice! :)
@@LanaGloschatArt you're welcome ❤
Great info. As a learner i appreciate it
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.
11:30 How to apply solvent. I went wrong with Gamsol by Gamlin and Mona Lisa so many times because --- I was using too much. Even dipping your brush in your pot of solvent and NOT wipping it off on side of the container AND then wiping it on a paper towel is the reason solvent doesn't work for some people. If we use too much, solvent removes layers of pigment from the drawing and gives the area a splotchy, rough look. The amount on your applicator (filbert brush, paper stump or cotton buds/ cue tips) is truly a matter of experimentation. If you blend up later layers, use as little as possible. Amount of solvent needed on the brush goes down as you blend for the 2nd or 3rd time -- a tiny amount goes a long way.
Thanks for sharing your insights with this. I totally agree about using less solvent on final layers!
Thanks a bunch for this great video, Lana! - Looove the container/sponge tip.
A long time ago I bought a small bottle of mona lisa odorless mineral spirits, but never used it...so after watching your video, I decided to try it, and I noticed that it expired in July 2019.
I guess I have to find a place in my city to dispose it. Does Gamsol or any of the others Eco-House solvents expire?
I have never heard of any solvent expiring. Honestly, if it were me I might try a little of the Mona Lisa and see if it still works and make sure there isn’t an offensive smell, but it might be ok to use… I just don’t know why a solvent would ever expire…? Glad you found the video helpful! 😊
This is wonderful thank you!
You are welcome!!!