tEchNiQuE TuEsdaY: Dye Ink Resist
Even though there are so many fabulous patterned papers out there, I still love making my own…especially when I can create something unique and artistic in 20 minutes or less!
If you are a regular visitor of Technique Tuesday’s, you have probably realized that my techniques are a little out of the ordinary…and this one is no different! Just when you think that this technique seems normal, I throw in a last step that will seem quite strange. But there is always a method to my madness…and here it is: the last step requires you to iron the painted cardstock in between two pieces of newsprint (or bond paper) to remove the shiny embossed look of the stamped design. This last step is not absolutely necessary for a beautiful finished design, however, it will make your design look like it’s been computer generated or professionally printed!
Also, please note that newsprint is not newspaper…we don’t want any ink on this! Newsprint is the cheap, thin tan art paper that children color on…it can be purchased quite inexpensively at art or craft stores. You can also use regular bond paper…just make sure to keep moving the iron around so that you don’t burn the paper!
Here’s a few tips about blending colors:
- choose analogous colors (colors that are next to each other on the color wheel) for easy blending (if you don’t have red/pink/orange/yellow, then try blue/green/yellow)
- work from darkest color (magenta) to lightest color (yellow)
- pick a “bridge” color, i.e., a color that can blend or bridge two other colors togehter. I’ve used yellow as the “bridge” color because it blends easily with magenta, scarlet and orange.
supplies:
glossy cardstock
foam or rubber stamps
watermark ink: Versamark
clear embossing powder
heat gun
dye inks reinkers (dye inks in a bottle)
paintbrush
paper towels
wax paper
water
newsprint or regular bond paper
iron
step 1. Stamp designs with watermark (Versamark) ink on glossy cardstock. Sprinkle clear embossing powder and set with heat gun (no photo because it’s hard to see the versamark stamped flowers on white glossy cardstock!)
step 2. Squeeze a few drops of each ink onto wax paper. Dip paintbrush in water; lightly blot on paper towel so brush is damp but not dripping wet. Dab brush in first ink color and then dab onto cardstock, using a slight pouncing motion as the brush moves around a small area. Notice that the ink resists the embossed areas; the ink will stain and bead up a little giving the look of a watercolor. Repeat in three or four areas on the cardstock as shown.
step 3. Clean brush well with water; you are now ready to apply the next color. Dip brush in water; lightly blot on paper towel. Dab brush in second ink color and then dab on cardstock in a few areas as shown…DO NOT apply ink right next to the first color!
step 4. Repeat step 3 with third color.
TIP: Change your water at this point to keep your yellows pure.
step 5. Apply the last colors, the yellows, next to the first color applied in the same fashion that you have the others except the yellow is applied in between the other colors, sort of like a bridge between two colors. Apply the yellow in the available white space and then overlap some of it into the other colors…the results are layered and blended and quite beautiful! TIP: Make sure to clean your brush every time you blend colors together!!! Set aside to dry.
step 6. After the inks are dry, rub a damp Q-tip or paper towel over areas of the stamped design that has ink spots on it.
You can omit this last step if you like the shiny embossed designs…If you don’t want the shiny designs, then do step 7.
step 7. Preheat iron. Place the cardstock in between two pieces of newsprint or regular bond paper (see photo 7a). Iron over newsprint until you begin to see areas of the newsprint becoming transparent (see photo 7b). Keep ironing until you can lift the top sheet of newsprint off the cardstock without it sticking.