Lately, I’ve been experimenting with Derwent Inktense Blocks on fabric, and I thought I’d share what I discovered. I wanted to see how they behaved when applied in different ways:
- Drawing directly onto fabric with the block
- Activating the color with a wet brush
- Working on dry fabric
- Working on damp fabric
The results were fascinating – and not always what I expected. Reading Painted Landscapes for Quiltmaking eBook, gave me some good ideas for general painting on fabric. (Note: For this week only, VIQ members can grab 20% off this ebook. Membership is free - coupon code is in our latest newsletter.)
First Impressions
Inktense Blocks are solid ink blocks rather than traditional watercolor. Once activated with water and allowed to dry, the color becomes permanent. That makes them particularly appealing for textile work, where you don’t want color to reactivate later.
While researching Inktense paints, I came across a suggestion that the paint should be ironed (heat set) once dry to properly set it. Curious to see if this made a difference, I decided to test the theory and compare the results.
The paints feel slightly waxier and look more intense than watercolor paints.
1: Drawing Directly onto Dry Fabric + Wet Brush
This was the most straightforward test. I drew directly onto dry fabric using the corner and flat edge of the Inktense block. Then I used a damp (not dripping) brush to activate and spread the color.
Here's what happened:
- The pigment softened quickly.
- Edges blurred beautifully.
- Color intensity remained strong even after blending.
- It was easy to create shading by pulling pigment outward from the original line.
I found this very controlled, great for petals, leaves, and defined shapes, and excellent for adding shadow along one edge and fading it across the fabric. The color is strong - a little goes a long way.
Here was my first attempt at using Inktense paints (but not what I used for other reasons) for my snowrose flowers:
I played using this technique to discover all the colors in the inktense set.
I did discover not to rub too hard with the brush, the fabric tends to rough up... and the colors set fairly quickly, so blending time is limited compared to traditional watercolor.
2: Painting Directly onto Damp Fabric
This gave a completely different effect. I lightly dampened the fabric, then I drew directly onto it with the Inktense block.
The color immediately started to spread with lines softening on contact. The left side of the photo shows paint applied to damp fabric. On the right, the paint was applied to dry fabric so you can compare the difference.
.... and here's what happened after water was brushed over the paint.
I did like this beautiful organic effect. It would be perfect for backgrounds or soft, faded florals... You know, those watery effects. I also liked the effortless blending without visible brush strokes. Of course, this means there is less control and harder to keep crisp edges as the pigment travels further than expected.
If you enjoy a painterly, slightly unpredictable look, this method is wonderful.... and hence the reason I feel it would be perfect for backgrounds.
3: Lifting Color with a Wet Brush from the Block
Instead of drawing directly on fabric, I picked up color from the block with a wet brush first and applied it to the fabric like paint. The results did differ depending on how much water was on the brush.
On Dry Fabric:
- Smooth application
- More even washes.
- Easier to build layers gradually.
On Damp Fabric:
- Very soft transitions.
- Gentle diffusion.
- Ideal for subtle shading.
You can clearly see which spots were painted on dry fabric (right) and those painted on damp fabric.
There is much more control with a more defined area on the dry fabric. This method gives the most control over intensity because you can dilute the pigment before it touches the fabric.
Comparing Dry vs Wet Fabric
Here’s what stood out most clearly:
| Dry Fabric | Damp Fabric |
|---|---|
| Sharper edges | Soft, blooming edges for a more organic look |
| Greater control | More fluid movement |
| Easier to layer details | Better for washes & backgrounds |
Neither is better - it simply depends on the effect you want.
What I Discovered
One of the most exciting things about Inktense is that once dry, the color becomes permanent. After my samples dried completely, I re-wet sections to test this claim. The color barely, if any, moved.
No need to heat set the paint - I discovered the iron only roughs up the painted fabric, similar to when I rubbed it too vigorously with the brush! Can you see this on the right?
Tip: I suggest when using these fabrics in quilt, use a cover cloth when pressing.
Because the paints hold on their own, that opens up possibilities for:
- Layering without disturbing previous work
- Combining painted fabric with appliqué
- Adding stitched detail later
It also means you need to be reasonably confident before committing heavy color.... it doesn't wash out.
Final Thoughts
My overall experience with Inktense paint blocks on fabric has been very positive. They offer:
- Strong, vibrant color
- Multiple application techniques
- Interesting differences between dry and damp fabric
- Permanent results once set - this is very important when using these fabrics in quilts!
- And last but not least, a whole lot of fun without a whole lot of mess to clean up afterward.
I’m only at the beginning of exploring these possibilities, but I can already see them becoming a regular part of my textile toolbox.... and one of the fun things I discovered while doing this little experiment was that you don't just have to paint with inktense paints.... shaved particles create a fascinating result. Note: these particles do need to have water added to them to activate the paint.
I've already experimented with combining painted fabric and stitching, which is what this whole experiment was for. At the end of the day, thread always has the final say!
