Gelatos®

with Heather Greenwood

Gelatos® are water-soluble pigment sticks that are acid free and perfect for paper crafting and mixed-media projects. They have a creamy consistency similar to lipstick and work very similarly to watercolors. They can be used for a variety of techniques, such as stenciling, stamping, and creating complex and colorful backgrounds.

Materials

• Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gelatos®

• Mixed-media paper

• Canvas

• Water brush or paintbrushes

• Baby wipes

• Gel medium, gesso, modeling paste (any other mediums for coloring)

• Stencils

• Palette

• Palette knife

• Acrylic sealer or fixative

• Spray bottle filled with water

Painting

Using paintbrushes with water, you can pick up some pigment from the Gelato stick and use it just like watercolor paint. If the colors are still wet on the surface, they will blend nicely together. If they are dry, you can add layers of color that won’t blend together.

Blending

For more vibrant color, use the Gelatos to draw directly on the surface like a crayon. Use your fingers or a blending tool to rub it in and blend the colors together. This works best on a primed surface that won’t absorb the pigment.

Mixing with Mediums

Mixing Gelatos into gel medium will keep the color vibrant and give it a thicker consistency that is perfect for stenciling. You can also mix them into gesso or modeling paste for a more pastel or muted color.

Step One Using a palette knife, cut off a little bit of the Gelato and smash it up until smooth.

Step Two Mix in your chosen medium.

Step Three Spread it over a stencil or canvas. If you use a stencil, be sure to remove it and wash quickly so that the mediums don’t dry on your stencil.

Drips & Splatters

This technique is best used on a nonabsorbent, primed surface. You can do it on an absorbent surface such as paper, but it will flow better over a primed surface.

Step One Color the surface and blend the Gelatos.

Step Two Using a spray bottle; spray with water to activate the Gelatos. Let the colors blend a little more.

Step Three Turn your surface on its side and spray again. To get the drips to flow more, tap it down a few times. If the Gelatos get clumpy, use your finger to smooth it out and let drip some more.

Stenciling

Adding Color

Because Gelatos are a solid, it makes them easy to use with stencils for a watercolor effect.

Step One Rub the Gelato stick over the stencil in the areas you want the color.

Step Two Use a baby wipe to activate the color, and rub it in to fill the stencil area.

Step One Color your background with Gelatos, and then blend to activate their color.

Step Two Holding the stencil over the top, start wiping away the color. Use new wipes for each color to avoid mixing.

Stamping

This technique works best with foam or rubber stamps but will work with some clear stamps too. Using this technique, you can blend several colors together to get the exact color you want rather than looking for the perfect inkpad. It can also be used to add shadows and highlights to stamps by coloring some parts darker and some parts lighter. An absorbent surface like paper works best for this.

Step One Color the stamp with Gelatos.

Step Two Spritz the stamp with water a few times, and let it sit to activate the color and blend.

Step Three Stamp down on your surface.