I want to share a technique I have been testing out this week! I had the idea to color some Distress Mixed Media Heavystock #5 tags with Distress Crayons. I've tried coloring tags with crayons in the past, but I never felt like it was a success till today. And now I can't seem to stop!
If you'll follow along, I'll walk you through how I started and how I got to the point where I was really in love with what I was creating. 
So I started the process with three color of Crayons per tag. The only thing I used was water and crayon. I suppose you could have easily added Collage Medium to the tag before adding the crayon, but I did not. I only sprayed the tag with water.
TIPS:
- It's best to have your colors picked out before you start.
- Work quickly.
- Spray more water if the tag dries out.
- Don't be afraid to build up the color by repeating the steps. The texture is beautiful.
- Use your heat tool to dry between layers, even though you might spray them again.
Please be kind to yourself when practicing this technique. I made multiple tags with just 3 colors (trying different combinations) before I started adding more layers over the top.
Now let me walk you through the easy steps:
1. Spray tag with water (I am using Distress Mixed Media Tags which are made with a coated paper - that is very important in this technique).
2. Working quickly, scribble crayon over tag.
3. Use a paintbrush to move the crayon around, blending between the colors. You may need to add more water or use a wet wipe to pounce over crayon.
4. Dry with a heat tool then repeat steps 2 and 3 (add more crayon and blend again).
NOTE: When using a paintbrush, you must rinse the brush between colors or use more than one brush.
So I loved where that was going, but then I thought, what if you took it a step further and added more color on top of the first three? So that colors not only merged, but when more color is added it changes the appearance. All I could think in my mind was a Mark Rothko painting. Colors floating over colors.
This was my first attempt. I found that if you add a lighter color over a dark one, it works to merge the two. Funny, I don't use the lighter colors of Distress Crayons as much as the more pigmented ones, so I was happy to find a way to use them. The appearance in the photo appears a bit harsh, but in person it is smooth to the touch, almost suede like because of the build up of color.
Tag 1
first layer: tumbled glass, ripe persimmon and fossilized amber
second layer: spun sugar
I love how Spun Sugar helps to beautifully bridge the area between the blue of tumbled glass, and the brightness of ripe persimmon!
Tag 2
milled lavender, shaded lilic, crushed olive
Lets start one from the beginning.
1. Choose first three crayon colors.
2. Spray tag with water.
3. Quickly scribble colors onto tag.
4. Immediately begin to smooth out the crayon. You may need to add more water to move the crayon.
5. Dry with a heat tool for 10-15 seconds.
NOTE: I decided to abandon the paintbrush altogether and use my fingertip to manipulate the crayon. I just wiped my fingertip clean between colors. So much easier than a repeatedly cleaning a brush.
5. Repeat the steps to add a second layer of color. This time tumbled Glass was added along with more Shaded Lilac.
6. Spray lightly with water and move the color around with your fingertip till you are satisfied.
TIP: Use a wet wipe (pouncing motion) to remove color and reveal more underneath.
Tag 3
spun sugar, saltwater taffy, mustard seed
Second Layer: picket fence and abandoned coral
(white was added first, then the coral)
Tag 4
uncharted mariner, cracked pistachio, salvaged patina
second layer: kitsch flamingo and picket fence
Tag 5
speckled egg, evergreen bough, rustic wilderness
watch this one change...
seedless preserves
and with picket fence and mustard seed
Oh my gosh, the combinations are endless! Honestly, all I used to create these were my crayons, a distress sprayer, my heat tool and a wet wipe or two! I think that is amazing.
I hope you will give this one a go, because it is so much fun seeing what you can create by layering the crayons one over the top of each other. And remember, give yourself some grace at the beginning when you are learning to layer. It takes a bit a patience, but once you get it, it's magic.
I'll be back shortly to share what I decide to do with the tags. So stayed tuned.
Now carry on!
Paula
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