wax bloom

[BRIGHTON]

Im am trying to learn to work with color pencils, and I have read about wax bloom from too much build up clouding color, and wiping it of, Question ....... A recent article I read said that this bloom can occur as much as two weeks later, not necessarily at the time you're working any one experience this???
It makes me a bit timid to

send a work out immediately on completion.

[Cindy Aucoin]

Hi, I use colored pencils, but not enough to give you an answer, the folks listed below will be able to help you.

Colored Pencil Society of America
1620 Melrose Avenue, No. 301
Seattle, Wa. 98122

I also have a book "The Complete colored Pencil Book" by Bernard Poulin and on page 5 he addresses Wax Bloom. Here is his answer to the problem and I am quoting directly from his book:
"Wax bloom, simply defined, is the result of wax rising to the surface of a drawing when color is applied heavily."

"Wax bloom can be eliminated with the careful rubbing away of the waxy film, using a tissue or tortillons. (Tortillons are discussed more fully, later in this chapter.) The brilliance of the applied colors will then immediately reappear. To permanently halt the recurrence of bloom, spray the drawing with several light coats of fixative."

"Tortillions (pronounced tor-tee-yons) are tightly rolled paper stumps used to soften or blend colors."

The book addresses this more fully, I just gave you the highlights of the two paragraphs hoping to get you through your problem.

I hope this helps you,

Cindy Aucoin



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[BRIGHTON]

thanks Cindy , very useful

[Cindy Aucoin]

Hi Brighton,

did you have any success with the information I sent you?

cindy

[BRIGHTON]

Cindy,been busy and had not checked the postings. I talked witha scouple of art students who work in a local frame shop and they said they never heard of bloom occuring later, but assures me that using a fixative would preventit. I havent been using colored pencils these last two weeks. Been working with acrylic doing folk art style work that I sell at local craft shows.
brighton