Common Issues With Blending

 

People  frequently try this blending technique with only the tip of the brush,  which prevents the individual strokes from disappearing. The solution is  to use the side of the brush and add more light layers. Lots of very  light layers overlapping are the key to making your blend look correct.

Another  common problem is that the two colors don’t overlap enough. People get  timid and only color up to the second color, without overlapping. Be  sure to allow plenty of room for colors to overlap.

If  you find your color feathering out and your paper usually doesn’t  feather, then let your colored area dry a bit before adding your darker  layer. Keep plenty of scratch paper underneath to soak up extra ink of  you are getting a line when you try blending in the lighter color, try  saturating the whole area with the light color, not just the feathered  edge, the line means that something is dry and you need the whole shape  to be wet to look smooth.

Here are some other questions that have come up that you may have:

  • "I was coloring along just fine, but I shifted my paper and it smeared"
    This  one is pretty easy. ALWAYS color over scratch paper or paper that won't  bleed. This person was coloring a piece of cardstock on top of a smooth  surface like plastic or a cutting mat. When you really soak the paper  ink will go right through to your table and if you move your paper while  it is still wet it may ruin all your hard work. Scratch paper or  something absorbent solves this problem.
  • "My coloring is uneven"
    This  is the most common problem and the very easiest issue solved. The paper  is not saturated enough or your marker could be drying out and running  low on ink. Check your marker tip and see if it is dry or white. You can  normally tell with the tip of your finger how "juicy" your marker is.  This also happens when your work is streaky.

Fixing your work:

When  you color large areas that are already streaky, your best bet is to  color over it with the same maker after you have refilled it if that is  the issue.  After you have refilled the marker go back over the work and  you will see fewer streaks, if not completely smooth coloring.

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