I share the basics of Tim Holtz Distress Crayons in today’s video, and show you how to layer, blend and compare them to Neocolors and Gelatos! I also wondered if you it would be helpful to see how I use them in my art, so let me know if you’d like a part 2! 🤗
First, this was fun & thank you Katie for taking me along the experiment ride. I have neo I & II & tempera paint sticks by Shuttle Arts & the skin colors set from Kwik Stix. Based on your lovely tests & Helen Cryers videos on both the tempera sticks & the distress crayons…I think I’m going to work on developing two different sets of mixed media supplies. One for the sketchbook, one for Lightfast work. I have the #10 set in my cart & am quite curious to see how these will feel to work with the tempera sticks. Since I’m just having fun, using these less $ non-Lightfast options offer a lot of sketchbook freedom. As always, I so enjoy your work & videos, so I’m looking forward to your landscape paintings with these supplies Katie [oh & how you get on adding in the Woody’s too] 💜🤗🌺
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts! Having the two kits is a great idea, love that! Yes I totally agree, sometimes just having cheaper supplies allow us a bit more freedom without the 'expectation', plus we're not worried about wasting any of it! 🤗
Thanks Katie, this was very good timing as I have just ordered the set 10 pastel shades. I am looking forward to trying them out. Your review was very comprehensive. Thanks again.
I like that when you buy the sets they don't have duplicates from other sets. I have sets 7, 8 and 10 which gives me 18 different colours. I enjoy using them.
Thank you Katie I don't know them and have never tested them but they look like Paint Sticks. The lead is wider than the Gelatos so it's difficult to do details but to add touches of color it's not bad.
True, Distress products are not lightfast, they’re for crafts… However real world lightfast testing for Gelatos has shown they can fade in a month, so also not great for artworks for hanging. The neocolorll are rated on the blue wool scale for lightfastness and are more reliable as an artists supply. There are a few one star neocolorll but most should not fade in 100 years.
For sure, I had a collection of Gelatos from my scrapbooking days but I love that they are so versatile for my art too! The Faber Castell site does say they are resistant to fading under normal lighting conditions, whereas I think the Distress Crayons definitely aren't lightfast. I don't worry about these things in my sketchbooks though as they're filled with experiments 😊
@ Gelatos look fun like lipstick drawing :) …but they’ve been overstating the lightfastness a bit when you see some of the lightfast testing done by artists. Great vid. Best to you.
They look like fun but because they're not lightfast, even though I'm working mostly for myself, I'll give them a pass. Thanks for the thorough review.
I'm getting used to it though I wouldn't buy it again - the paper is just a bit too absorbent for me! I've been using the new smaller Cara Cara sketchbook by Pith which has much better paper stock! It's supposed to be the same stock but it acts so different! I'd recommend that one over the Oroblanco any day
@KatieMoody good to know! I've been considering a pith for a while but now I'm scared 😂. How big is the Cara cara and does watercolor work well on it?
@@kathyhackney7950 The Cara Cara is 200 x 140 mm, so half the size of the Oroblanco. I've used watercolour in it and it's worked super well 😄It's a great all rounder!
I'm a full-time artist, but I only create in sketchbooks! A lot of artists use commissions and canvases, and work outside of their sketchbooks to make their living 😊
As far as I understand it, the distress range is various products all colour-matched to each other. Distress ink is dye-based and distress oxide is pigment, but distress crayons are?? It’s unclear? They feel like watercolour paints to me but I couldn’t find any pigment info. I’d really like to know for sure whatever it is.
Yes that's true! There's quite a lot of other products in the distress range. I've tried to have a look on the Ranger website to find out more of the formulation for the Distress Crayons and all it says is 'water-reactive pigments'
I’m not sure I see the benefit of all this plastic when we could just use a soft oil pastel or neocolor. They do look fun but I just couldn’t justify that plastic. And they’re so ugly. Good review though 😊
They are attractive to crafters who also use the inks and pencils in the same colors by Tim Holtz. They like having the same color in different media. I generally don’t care for the Tim Holtz color range but they are pretty hard to avoid when buying ink pads for stamping.
@@slowlybutshellyNo, the op was talking about the plastic tube packaging as opposed to the paper that is around a neocolor or oil pastel-they do set so there could be some acrylic in the mix and that is plastic, but if you are using posca pens or other acrylic paint markers or inks those are plastic as well.
Totally agree…appalled by the amount of plastic relative to the crayon… I have similar concerns about acrylic paints pens & markers in general…lots of excellent non-plastic heavy alternatives out there….
Thank you for this video! I was excited to see it because I just ordered some on eBay. I thought they’d be fun to use in my sketchbooks where lightfastness doesn’t matter and I liked that they eventually dry down so they won’t smudge like oil sticks. Have you tried the white Staedtler Lumocolor Glasochrom Permanent Pencil? It works on top of these types of mediums even when Derwent’s white pencil does not. You may also like the M&G Washable Tempera Paint Sticks. The 48 set includes bright and some muted colors for $27. They dry very quickly like the Kwik sticks and Shuttle Art Tempura sticks, but they come in a thin holder like a marker. I love the colors in Shuttle Art’s pastel set or Kwik Stick’s Skin tone set or earth tone set. Unlike gelatos, they dry within 90 seconds and are not lightfast.
Thank you so much for watching, so glad it was helpful and I love that you found some on eBay too! 🥳 Yes totally agree, I really like how they set, unlike oil pastels which need a bit of fixative to prevent the smudging! Thanks for all the recommendations too! I haven't heard of the Staedtler Lumocolor pencil before, that sounds like a great white pencil so I'll have to check it out! Sadly it doesn't look like the M&G Paint Sticks are available here in the UK, though I've also been recommended the KingArt sticks which look similar!
I share the basics of Tim Holtz Distress Crayons in today’s video, and show you how to layer, blend and compare them to Neocolors and Gelatos!
I also wondered if you it would be helpful to see how I use them in my art, so let me know if you’d like a part 2! 🤗
I always love seeing your videos. Listening to your videos while creating makes me feel like I'm not alone (despite being alone in real life).
Oh that makes me so happy, I'm so glad I can give you creative company! 💛🥰
Thanks Katie. I’d like to see one of your landscape spreads using these.
Thank you so much! I definitely want to film a video sharing how I use these in a landscape, so I’ll film that soon 😊
Great comparison, Katie, thank you! I always love to see how you use your materials, so a big yes for a part 2 from me. 😊
Thank you so much Sonja! Will be sure to film that soon 🥰
Uhh, yesss, THANK YOU for this detailed video. It's super interesting, I love these comparisions 😁
Thank you Kristin, so so glad it was helpful 🥰
First, this was fun & thank you Katie for taking me along the experiment ride. I have neo I & II & tempera paint sticks by Shuttle Arts & the skin colors set from Kwik Stix. Based on your lovely tests & Helen Cryers videos on both the tempera sticks & the distress crayons…I think I’m going to work on developing two different sets of mixed media supplies. One for the sketchbook, one for Lightfast work. I have the #10 set in my cart & am quite curious to see how these will feel to work with the tempera sticks. Since I’m just having fun, using these less $ non-Lightfast options offer a lot of sketchbook freedom. As always, I so enjoy your work & videos, so I’m looking forward to your landscape paintings with these supplies Katie [oh & how you get on adding in the Woody’s too] 💜🤗🌺
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts! Having the two kits is a great idea, love that! Yes I totally agree, sometimes just having cheaper supplies allow us a bit more freedom without the 'expectation', plus we're not worried about wasting any of it! 🤗
Very informative video, I know this was helpful to people who use or are thinking of using these art supplies. Great job Katie!!❤
Aaah thank you so much Kathy! 🥰
Thanks Katie, this was very good timing as I have just ordered the set 10 pastel shades. I am looking forward to trying them out. Your review was very comprehensive. Thanks again.
Thank you so much! The pastel shade set is so lovely, I hope you enjoy them! 😊💛
Enjoyed this review. Thank you.
Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed it! 🥰
I like that when you buy the sets they don't have duplicates from other sets. I have sets 7, 8 and 10 which gives me 18 different colours. I enjoy using them.
Yes that's so true! Which is your favourite set out of those? 🤩
@@KatieMoody I like them all equally! All are unique tones. And I love their names!😊
Please make something with these! I have a bunch but need inspiration!! ❤
Will do!! 🤗🧡
Great review Katie 🙌 this comparison videos are so useful to decide if it's worth the buy or not ❤ thank you!
Thank you so much Teresa, so glad they're helpful 🥰
ooooh I've not heard of these before!! I have neocolors though I don't need anymore 😂
Hahaha they're so different to neocolors though sooo.... maybe you do 🤣
Thank you Katie
I don't know them and have never tested them but they look like Paint Sticks. The lead is wider than the Gelatos so it's difficult to do details but to add touches of color it's not bad.
Thanks Sab, definitely sounds like paint sticks are similar! There are so many different options out there 😊
I haven’t tried the Tim Holtz distress crayons but the Tim Holtz distress watercolor pencils are excellent!
That is good to know. thank you! Not that I need more supplies but I'll keep this in mind 😆
@@KatieMoody oh I know the feeling - I myself am ridiculously addicted to art supplies and have accumulated a huge stash… I need an intervention 🤣
You have lovely nails!
Thank you so much! 🤗
Well done comparison. Have you used the distress crayons with stabilo woodies?
Thank you Judy! Ooh no I haven't! I wonder if the Woodies would layer on top better, I'll have to do some experiments!
True, Distress products are not lightfast, they’re for crafts… However real world lightfast testing for Gelatos has shown they can fade in a month, so also not great for artworks for hanging. The neocolorll are rated on the blue wool scale for lightfastness and are more reliable as an artists supply. There are a few one star neocolorll but most should not fade in 100 years.
For sure, I had a collection of Gelatos from my scrapbooking days but I love that they are so versatile for my art too! The Faber Castell site does say they are resistant to fading under normal lighting conditions, whereas I think the Distress Crayons definitely aren't lightfast. I don't worry about these things in my sketchbooks though as they're filled with experiments 😊
@ Gelatos look fun like lipstick drawing :) …but they’ve been overstating the lightfastness a bit when you see some of the lightfast testing done by artists.
Great vid. Best to you.
@@hansendesigns Oh that's really handy to know, thank you! A bit cheeky of FC then! Thanks for sharing and for watching 🤗
Excellent review…
Thank you so much! 🥰
What's the brands name that made that ultramarine brush pen?
It's an Albrecht Durer watercolour marker, it's by Faber Castell 😊
@@KatieMoody Thank you 😊
They look like fun but because they're not lightfast, even though I'm working mostly for myself, I'll give them a pass. Thanks for the thorough review.
My pleasure, thanks for watching and commenting Paula! 🤗
Great✨🎉
Thank you!
The crayon is 'coming off' because you are using smooth paper. It needs enough tooth for it to not leave crumbs like that.
That's handy to know! Most of my sketchbooks are smooth paper though but I plan on using these smudged out 😊
❤❤❤
Thank you 💜
Left field, but how are you likong the pith sketchbook now that youve been using it for longer?
I'm getting used to it though I wouldn't buy it again - the paper is just a bit too absorbent for me! I've been using the new smaller Cara Cara sketchbook by Pith which has much better paper stock! It's supposed to be the same stock but it acts so different! I'd recommend that one over the Oroblanco any day
@KatieMoody good to know! I've been considering a pith for a while but now I'm scared 😂. How big is the Cara cara and does watercolor work well on it?
@@kathyhackney7950 The Cara Cara is 200 x 140 mm, so half the size of the Oroblanco. I've used watercolour in it and it's worked super well 😄It's a great all rounder!
Wich kind of sketchbook is that?🙏🏼
It's a Pith Oroblanco sketchbook - there's a full review video on my channel of it if you want to learn more 😊
@@KatieMoody🙏🏼🤗
What is a full-time sketchbook artist...?
I'm a full-time artist, but I only create in sketchbooks! A lot of artists use commissions and canvases, and work outside of their sketchbooks to make their living 😊
Distress crayons are dye based and fade quickly. Not good if you want to keep anything you make to stay around for a while.
Very true! I do mention they're not lightfast, but I still love experimenting with them and handy enough for sketchbook work 😄
Where are you getting the information they are dye based?
I haven’t found they fade so far.
@ Ranger
@@BW2Color.StephanieI looked on their website and it only said “vibrant water-reactive pigments”.
I think i would like to use these without water
They smudge beautifully without water, definitely great for building up texture!
As far as I understand it, the distress range is various products all colour-matched to each other. Distress ink is dye-based and distress oxide is pigment, but distress crayons are?? It’s unclear? They feel like watercolour paints to me but I couldn’t find any pigment info. I’d really like to know for sure whatever it is.
Yes that's true! There's quite a lot of other products in the distress range. I've tried to have a look on the Ranger website to find out more of the formulation for the Distress Crayons and all it says is 'water-reactive pigments'
I’m not sure I see the benefit of all this plastic when we could just use a soft oil pastel or neocolor. They do look fun but I just couldn’t justify that plastic. And they’re so ugly. Good review though 😊
They are attractive to crafters who also use the inks and pencils in the same colors by Tim Holtz. They like having the same color in different media. I generally don’t care for the Tim Holtz color range but they are pretty hard to avoid when buying ink pads for stamping.
Is the actual pigment plastic?
@@slowlybutshellyNo, the op was talking about the plastic tube packaging as opposed to the paper that is around a neocolor or oil pastel-they do set so there could be some acrylic in the mix and that is plastic, but if you are using posca pens or other acrylic paint markers or inks those are plastic as well.
Totally agree…appalled by the amount of plastic relative to the crayon… I have similar concerns about acrylic paints pens & markers in general…lots of excellent non-plastic heavy alternatives out there….
I wish they did refills, that would make much more sense! Thanks for watching 😊
The one thing I don’t like about them it’s the plastic case. Less waste with neocolor, but the colours are lovely
Yes very true, though I think the case is needed because they are so soft! I'd love for them to start doing refills
Thank you for this video! I was excited to see it because I just ordered some on eBay. I thought they’d be fun to use in my sketchbooks where lightfastness doesn’t matter and I liked that they eventually dry down so they won’t smudge like oil sticks.
Have you tried the white Staedtler Lumocolor Glasochrom Permanent Pencil? It works on top of these types of mediums even when Derwent’s white pencil does not.
You may also like the M&G Washable Tempera Paint Sticks. The 48 set includes bright and some muted colors for $27. They dry very quickly like the Kwik sticks and Shuttle Art Tempura sticks, but they come in a thin holder like a marker.
I love the colors in Shuttle Art’s pastel set or Kwik Stick’s Skin tone set or earth tone set. Unlike gelatos, they dry within 90 seconds and are not lightfast.
Thank you so much for watching, so glad it was helpful and I love that you found some on eBay too! 🥳 Yes totally agree, I really like how they set, unlike oil pastels which need a bit of fixative to prevent the smudging! Thanks for all the recommendations too! I haven't heard of the Staedtler Lumocolor pencil before, that sounds like a great white pencil so I'll have to check it out! Sadly it doesn't look like the M&G Paint Sticks are available here in the UK, though I've also been recommended the KingArt sticks which look similar!
@@KatieMoody And, belatedly, thanks for all your videos. I really enjoy them.