I purchased this set of ink blocks because the smaller sets didn't have the colors I needed---red and purple. This set of 36 has plenty of colors, so I was satisfied in that regard. I'm an artist, but I didn't buy these ink blocks for painting. I actually bought them because I was told they were a suitable replacement for rayon lace dye. I recently ordered a set of dyes online, but instead of the pre-mixed dye kit I was led to believe I was purchasing, I received a set of ink blocks and a grater. Apparently, I was expected to create my own dyes! I was sorely vexed, especially because the small set of 12 ink blocks I received didn't have all the necessary colors. The next size up (24) didn't have the necessary colors, either. I had to order the more-expensive set of 36 ink blocks in order to get the colors I needed. (I'm teaching a class on how to dye lace, so it was important for me to have all the basic colors.) For the most part, I'm satisfied with these ink sticks. You get plenty of different colors, not just primary colors, but secondary and tertiary colors, and even some neutrals and flesh-tones. The only thing is, I can't vouch for how colorfast the ink is. Supposedly, once it dries and you heat-set it by pressing the lace with a warm iron, it's good to go, but I haven't tested that theory. Likewise, I don't know how well it holds up when you paint with it. The ink is a lot more watery than the dye I used previously, which means the colors are more washed out. In order to build up vibrant colors, you have to reapply the ink several times, allowing it to dry between each session. This means it's going to take hours, or even days to dye a multi-colored lace applique. Even with several applications, I never achieved a vibrant red, which was disappointing, since I'd bought the larger set of ink blocks specifically for the red ink stick, which wasn't available in the smaller sets.. The color it produced was faded, even after I applied several layers of dye. To get started, you're going to need Derwent'sGrate 'n' Shake grater , which is sold separately. (I suppose you could use a small cheese grater or lemon zester, if you don't want to spend the money on the official grater. Just don't use it for food afterwards!) I also ordered a set of Derwent'srubber Grippers , so I wouldn't get my fingers covered with dye. To store the blended dyes, I bought somePlastic Dropper Bottles . And to transfer the dye to the dropper bottles, I ordered a package ofPlastic Pipettes . These also worked well for adding water to the dye when mixing colors. (Previously, I used a regular drinking straw, which isn't very precise.) To create dye or ink, grate a small amount (1/8" to 1/4" of the stick, depending on how much dye you need) into a plastic container, then add warm water. Shake or stir thoroughly to dissolve the ink. Use a pipette to transfer the ink into a dropper bottle and stir in a little more water. When you're ready to use the ink, put several drops in a watercolor palette. Add whichever other inks you need to mix the color you're trying to achieve. (Tip: Adding a drop or two of a color's complementary will tone it down, making it into a more "realistic" color, as opposed to the ultra-bright, vibrant colors that you get straight out of the package. For example, if you have ten drops of bright yellow, adding one or two drops of purple will transform it into more of a subdued gold color.) Use a toothpick to stir the dye, then add a dropper full of water, so the palette cup is about 3/4 full. Here's another tip: Make sure you mix plenty of dye, because if you run out partway through your project, you won't be able to mix exactly the same color again! Use a damp paintbrush to apply the dye to your lace or fabric---or to your paper, if you're using it for painting. You'll need to stir the dye every few minutes as you work, because the heavier dye particles tend to settle at the bottom of the palette, meaning the top of the dye is watery, and once you reach the bottom, the color will be a lot more concentrated. The same thing happens with the dropper bottles, so if you store bottles of dye for later use, make sure you shake them well before using. I'm only giving these ink blocks four stars because I experienced some uneven coloration while working with them, especially when dyeing cotton lace. With the pre-mixed dyes I'd used previously, the dye spread throughout the lace, producing a smooth, even color tone. With the ink dyes, however, I had some splotching---areas where the color is noticeably darker or lighter. This drags the quality of the lace down several notches, so I'm deducting a star for that. Otherwise, they seem to work pretty well. I'm sure they would produce vibrant watercolor-like paintings, if you're more into painting than lace-dyeing. P.S.: I'm attaching three photos. One is of a blue and red floral applique, so you can see how hard it is to produce a true, vibrant red. The second is of a purple and cream applique, where the purple splotched quite badly. The third is of the uneven results I had when I tried to dye a piece of antique lace. It seems all the cotton lace I tried dyeing ended up with poor results, so if you want to attempt lace dyeing, I'd suggest sticking with rayon lace.
