I wish someone who has used the oil pencils sucessfully without a heat cure would pipe up so that you guys know it’s safe! You can do a test, but it could take months for the oils to “eat” into the clay, ruining your piece. We need someone with info! Perhaps Peggy tried her Lyra Rembrandt pencils, after all?? Or maybe the woman who does the face portrait video will be willing to provide info about compatibility issues??

As for the PYM II, I’m sure that will make a lovely finish, as it seems to work for so many things. I want to get some for myself, eventually. I know where to get it, too… ;-D Have fun with your new pencils!

The “portrait woman” uses the Walnut Hollow oil pencils you bought, although she sometimes uses the ones that Peggy mentioned–Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor–too. (It’s strange—this woman’s name is Penni-Jo Couch, according to the video. But the blog owner, who describes the process as her own & points to the video, is named “Ellie, aka Claylady.” Confusing! I must be missing something, but that’s why I keep saying “this woman”!) Anyway, Penni-Jo says that they’re both good quality oil pencils and they work on polymer clay. She also uses a “Pitt Artist Pen” which supposedly works great to outline her drawings (very fine tip.) She says the Pitt Artist pen is perfectly compatible with clay, as long as you let it dry completely first, then cover it with Kato Liquid. I went to a website where the pens are sold, and it says they’re “extremely fade-resistant Indian ink…waterproof when dry.”

That got me thinking about our Creative Memories pens. I wonder if they might work okay if we let them dry on baked clay, then cover with Kato liquid. If they survive that, we could then gloss with Future or Varathane, without worrying about smearing…

Anyway, regarding your pencils, it appears that you use them on baked clay. Then you cover them with Kato Medium (or any liquid clay, but Kato can be made really clear.) Cure the Kato liquid at 275F, about 10 minutes. When it comes out of the oven, blast it with a heat gun until it’s clear (keep the gun continuously moving over the surface so you don’t scorch or mess-up the finish.) You can build up several layers of Kato liquid for a nice, glossy finish. To do that, make sure you let each layer cool before applying the next. Then cure with the heat gun, and repeat. Or you can use Future or whatever other finish you like over that first layer of cured Kato. Or you could even use a different liquid clay, for a different effect.

Good luck, Cheryl. I wish I was able to experiment with the pens right now, but my room’s a chaotic mess, and my back is extra sore from all the moving stuff around. I’ll try it as soon as I get a chance, though; I’ll let you know (the CM pens with Kato.) If you get to it first, please let me know. I also want to hear how your new oil pencils work out. It’ll be great to see what you can do with them! Have fun! ;~D

Peggy, have you tried using your Lyra Rembrandt pencils yet? Poor Cheryl is eager to find something to write & draw on her polymer clay with.