Creating with Kuretake Zigs Clean Color Real Brush Pens - Cardstock Comparison

I have been a big fan of Kuretake Zigs Clean Color Real Brush Pens for quite a while.   About a year ago I sold my set as I was being brand loyal and building my FSJ business.   When FSJ changed their platform (no longer direct sales), I knew it was time to purchase another set of the Zigs Real Brush Pens.

On one of the message boards we were having a discussion on which card stock works best.  I used my pens a number of different ways and honestly didn't see a huge difference whether I used FSJ Whip Cream Card Stock OR FSJ Color Splash (watercolor paper) when I used the pens direct to paper.   HOWEVER if I used the pen on an acrylic block, then added water to that color and then used a paint brush to my stamped image, there was a big difference.    I do like the look and the distinct colors of the Zigs direct to card stock.

BE SURE to read all the way to the bottom as I did an additional comparison using Bristol Smoth Surface paper.  

Each person needs to decide which works best for them, and go with that.   The point is to have fun and be creative.   Stamped image is a stamp from Crafter's Companion.   Here's my samples:

These are colors I used on all of the butterflies.   I did also used a Uniball Signo White Gel Pen on the body of the butterfly.

FSJ Color Splash Paper - Used Zigs direct to paper overlapping and blending the colors.

FSJ Color Splash Paper - Used Zigs direct to paper overlapping and blending the colors.   Then I took a wet paintbrush over the areas.    It muted the colors.   Both the 1st & 2nd butterfly were colored identically except for the addition of water in the 2nd one.   Personally I like the first one better.

In this photo, I used FSJ Whip Cream Card Stock with the Zigs direct to paper overlapping and blending the colors.  For me, it was just as easy to use this paper as the watercolor paper.   Both allowed me to put the colors on smoothly and neither soaked through to the back.

I didn't stamp out the butterfly for this one.  
I used Whip Cream Card Stock.   I put some of the pen color on an acrylic block.  Using a wet brush added paper to the color and mixed.   Next added to my paper and blended two colors together.   The one on the left is the deeper tones of the butterfly .. the one on the right is the two softer tones. 

 Today, I learned about that the paper/card stock you use can really make a difference in the ability to blend smoothly.   I purchased Strathmore Bristol Smooth Surface paper pad.   It has 20 sheets, is 9 x 12 and can be found in most craft stores in the art section.  Be sure to get the "smooth surface" one.  Here's what the paper pad looks like:

For this butterfly I used the same color combinations as above.   The only difference is that this one is done on the Bristol Smooth Surface Paper. 

It really was much easier to blend the colors using the Bristol paper.   It is like the color sets on top of the paper as you blend it in.  

I decided I wanted to try it in another set of colors using the Bristol paper:

If you decide to purchase the Kuretake Zigs Clean Color Real Brush Pens, be sure to do some price comparisons before buying.   Depending on which store you decided to get them from, there can be a HUGE difference in price.   Amazon was the only one that I found the sets of 80 and 90.   If you order from them, my suggestion is to order and "double check" that Amazon is the one fulfilling the order.   With Amazon fulfills the order, you know you will get it quickly.   Some of the sellers ship from outside of the US so could take a few weeks.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Mary