Crayola Gel FX - Write on !
Written: Jun 11 '02 (Updated Jun 11 '02)
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Pros: Even flow of ink, nice end result, great for use on black paper.
Cons: Tips retain colors, limited number of colors.
The Bottom Line: Washable, colorful and fun - Crayola Gel FX Washable Markers are a great investment for both big and little artists.
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| Freak369's Full Review: Crayola Gel FX Washable Markers |
It seems that the Crayola people were reading my mind. I was hoping that they would put out a marker that had the capability of pastels, so you could blend the colors, but at the same time something that was easy to clean up. When I came across these at Wal-Mart I couldn’t resist picking up a pack to see if they lived up to what the package stated – especially the different types of paper that you could use these on. So far I’m still undecided on these markers. The colors are nice, but with only eight of them in the set it is hard to really push the creative envelope and see exactly what’s possible with this new series.
The Basics
The Gel FX Washable Markers come in the standard cardboard flip open package but this one has the tip colors represented on the right side of the box. This lets you see exactly which colors you get without having to open the package and fumble in the aisle as security looks at you like you are public enemy number one.
Like almost every other Crayola product, these are non-toxic as well as washable. I’ve managed to get these on a few shirts and a quick squirt of Spray ‘N Wash combined with a little elbow grease resulted in absolutely no trace of the marker after they were machine washed. The only exception was the purple streak on the bottom of a white cotton shirt. No matter what I tried, this would not come out. I contacted Crayola about this to see if there was anything else I could try but haven’t received a reply as of yet.
The size of the marker is equivalent to the ‘chunky’ style markers and are the perfect size for kids to use. The lids snap on tight and easily fit on to the back end of the marker while in use. Since these are washable from clothing as well as skin, these would make a great addition to a childs art box.
The tips on the markers are pretty strong but they will pick up other colors if they are used as an overlay. Keep an ample supply of scrap paper handy to remove the bleed over color. Since these are ‘chunky style’ the marker can be used for thin lines – just the tip – or for wider lines you can tilt the mark on its side. Either way, you many need a little time to get used to these but make sure you allow the color to dry before you go over it again – most times the area will even out with color when the ink dries.
The Colors
Included in this set are some traditional colors along with some very cool looking new ones. There are three light tones – purple, pink [rose] and light violet [magenta] – which really compliment each other when used together. The green is middle of the road, not too loud and not too dull and drab. The only shade of blue is a type of periwinkle, which kind of limits the types of things you can color or draw. I would have sacrificed one of the pinks / purples for a nice shade of royal blue. The gray is more of a charcoal color and can be darkened with a touch of purple over it or lightened with the use of the white marker [see below]. The yellow is bright but not a neon yellow – more of a canary yellow if you ask me. The last shade is white. Most people will automatically think that this marker should be used to lighten colors or to blend them together. If you do this you will end up with a ruined marker since the tip retains the colors that it touches. It is fine for small areas that you want to lighten but if you over use it the color you are trying to blend will cover the tip completely – to get rid of the color from the tip you will have to use a scrap piece of paper and work it off the tip which will result in losing some of the white ink.
As a point of reference, the colors and examples are listed on the back of the package but please keep in mind that these colors may vary according to what type of paper you are using them on. I found that the smoother papers give lighter colors while coarse paper gave a deeper darker color.
Best Uses
These are great for use on black paper but if you aren’t one to spend obscene amounts of money you can use a high grade of black construction paper or black poster board. The end result is almost the same and you won’t find yourself crying if you mess up a few pages. These also work great as highlighters instead of the loud neon markers. If you are going to use these for highlighting I highly suggest that you keep one or two just for that purpose and check the tips often to see if you have any ink build up that will dull the overall color.
One of the nicest things about the Gel FX Washable Markers is that you can ‘over color’ a section and still have the end result look pretty nice. Trying to get around corners is tough for me so I tend to have to go over sections a few times and with normal markers this usually means that some parts are darker. This also means that the paper gets saturated and could rip easier – not a good thing to have happen when you are half way through a project.
The Washable Issue
As I mentioned earlier, I only had one instance where a stain wouldn’t come out of a shirt with the Gel FX Washable Markers. On the package it clearly states not to use a pre-wash treatment [such as the Spray ‘N Wash I used] but rather to wash promptly in the hot cycle. This also goes for the use of chlorine bleach – I don’t use bleach but I think it might only make things worse – instead of removing the stain it might just make it spread to the rest of the article of clothing.
The Bottom Line
When it’s all said and done I ended up with a pretty nice set of markers for $1.99. I would have liked to have seen a nicer selection of colors but I guess no set will ever be perfect. There are several other sets on the market in this series that include neon shades and pastels hues. Aside from the great price, you are getting a Crayola product – not some cheap imitation. Like I said, I’m still playing around with these so I haven’t made up my mind 100% about them but so far they have been pretty cool to use. I’d recommend these for anyone that loves to draw or write on black paper with Milky pens or Gel FX pens, kids that are looking for something above regular markers or those that are seeking alternative colors for art projects or crafts.
For more ideas, projects and crafts that can be created with the Gel FX Washable Markers, please visit the official Crayola website at www.crayola.com. If you have trouble locating these, or any Crayola product, in your area you can contact customer service at 1-800-CRAYOLA weekdays from 9a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
As always, thanks for the read …
^V^ Freak ^V^
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $1.99
Type of Toy: Arts and Crafts
Age Range of Child: Whole Family
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