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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Posts: 9Hi everyone,
I am just a beginner bear-maker and I have been trying to find some information and instructions on shading my bears...but I haven't had much luck! Lots of my patterns just say 'shade your bear', and although I can see in the pictures where to put the shading, I'm not at all sure how to do, or what I should even be using.
I can see that lots of people use copic markers and a colourless blender. Do other marker pens work just as well, or are Copics especially suitable? And what colours would you recommend? I have a leaning towards white/pink/pale coloured bears...do you use a colour perhaps 2-3 shades darker than your mohair?
I've also seen people talking about using pastel and oils. I hope this doesn't sound silly, but what are they...is it pastel pencils (I have some of them! :D)
Or if anyone can direct me towards a book or a website with any helpful information then I would be ever so grateful. I think that the shading looks like it makes the difference between a good bear and great bear, so I'm really keen to learn how to do it well...or at least do it at all to begin with!
Thank you lovely ladies, I really appreciate your help.
Lesley xx
Leslie, there is a lot of info about shading techniques in the library (look at the top bar). If you have any doubt, feel free to ask! 
I have tried some markers shading, pastel shading and oils. In the end I feel comfortable with oils and I think I will stick to them for a while. In the library there are a lot of suggestions on how to use them with a dry brush technique.
With pastels I used the art pastels (the square ones with no wood around), they are called Carre' pastels. I obtained pigment powder from them, mixed the colours to get what I liked, then applied with a brush, very gradually and gently.I have not tried airbrushing.
As for the best shade to use...I suggest to try some colours on scraps of fur from your bear and see what you like. Normally black, white and a variety of shades of brown are my average colours.
Chaska, MinnesotaLesley: Copic markers fade in time. Prisma markers and Faber Castell markers are great and perminant. Prisma has a clear blender marker. Be sure to buy that to even out the shading. As Francy suggested, practice on scrape fur. I must try the oil paint that Francy talked about. that is my next project after I get my craft room in order.
Question for you Francy: re the pigment powder. Do you mix it with water first and dry brush it on? Or do yo rub in the powder as is?
Michelle, I use the powder as it is...the tricky part is when you dip the brush in the powder, if you take too much of it then you need to get rid of some, and sometimes brushing on a towel gets it all away. With oils you have more control on the quantity (very little but enough) you want on your brush. One of the reasons why I chose oils over pastels in the end...this is my experience, but others might do it differently!
Posts: 9Thank you very much for your help!
Whoops, I never thought to look in the library (but I am just new here, so that's my excuse, heehee!) I'll take a look right now.
Thanks again xxx
I have gone through just about every method of shading and the ones I did 10 years ago with Copics are still ok..and I know because I still have the bears I practised on. But Copic colours are quite warm ..even that black is warm and when you use the blender pen it shows. The nibs are too fat for fine shading too. I have gone over to the Faber Castell ones which are true to colour and don't change when you blend...you can get very fine ones too. I use baby wipes these days instead of blender pens and they are great. I also use Createx colours which you can use diluted in an airbrush...or like I use them with a paint brush ..wiping it with a baby wipe as I go. I use acrylic paint too...and water colour pencils...
Honestly it's just case of trying. I like oils too but I find the Createx very easy and it leaves the fabric very soft.
PijangibearsJenny, do you use the wet wipes?
Yes, I just buy the no fragranced ones..I buy about 3 packs at time because they are usually on 3 for 2 at the supermarket. They do just the same job. I can't remember who suggested it but it was not my idea..I think if you trawl back through the library you will find who it was that proposed this idea...but I have used the ever since and they are marvellous... And cheap !
