How to Use Blender Pens

Blender pens are easy to use and versatile, and they give your paper craft projects a watercolored look. A blender pen typically has two tips, one on either end, and it uses only clear ink, which allows you to pick up color from other sources and use it with the blender pen. You can use blender pens with ink, marker, chalk, colored pencil and even watercolors.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blender pen
• Paper
• Ink pads
• Markers
• Styrofoam/plastic plate
• Chalk

1. Try your blender pen with water-based ink. First, stamp your image. Then, using your blender pen, lightly pull traces of color from the edge of the stamped image into the center to fill it in with color.

2. Use water-based ink another way. For a different effect, scribble your marker on a piece of Styrofoam or other plastic surface. Dab at the mark with your blender pen. Now you can transfer the marker color to the image on your paper, giving it a softer look.

3. Experiment with colored pencils. Color your image and use the blender pen to soften the marks and give it a watercolored look.

4. Moisten chalk with a blender pen. Brush the pen onto paper, working the color into your image. The chalk will stay set on the paper and requires no extra application of a fixative.

5. Swipe your pen on blank paper in between colors to clean it. Do this until it makes clear marks. The tip will always have some color stains left, but the ink should stay clear.

6. Revive your blender pens when they dry out. In a dropper bottle, mix one part glycerin, two parts distilled water, and 1/4 teaspoon alcohol. Apply drops of this mixture to the tips of your pen.