Tuesday 7 February 2017

Have you got a shaper tool yet?


One of my most useful tools is my colour shaper tool. Without this I can't create sharp edge or subtle details. No matter how tiny your fingers are, or how adept you are keeping one little finger clean, you will always slightly blur what you are working on when you blend. I started using a shaper quite by accident and experimentation many years ago. I remember struggling with edges when doing a pastel piece and finding one of theses things in my art box, unused for many years. I gave it a go- and have never looked back. It's now one of my essentials.


There are a number of 'beginners mistakes' that are often made with shapers- in relation initially to their purchase. Firstly, don't buy the cheap multipack ones from your local discount store- they'll be too hard or sharp edged. Secondly, a colour shaper isn't one of those strange paper wrapped torchons. Every artist tool box always has at least one of these - usually lurking in the bottom- unused and looking rather grubby. If you ever work out a good use for those things, let me know.

I use a brand called Royal Sovereign - their colour shapers come in soft, medium and hard. I use the soft ones. My recommendation is a size 10, Flat Chisel (as pictured). They come in many shapes and sizes but this is by far the most versatile. Its got flat faces which allow you to blur and soften in - great for clouds- and also sharp edges when you tip and tilt- ideal for hilltops, textured grass etc.

If you love pastels, get one- try it out. But remember- its best used towards the end of the work- not when you are blending large areas. Use it sparingly to add subtle or sharp details to your focal areas. Don't press hard, let the weight of the shaper itself drift over the surface. Don't point it like a pen- hold it beneath your palm so its parallel to the surface when doing clouds.

Good luck!