Happy Friday friends! For this week's Ink to Paper Design Team Tips I'm sharing a few tips on one ink blending backgrounds! Ink blending is definitely one of my favorite ways to create a background. With so many different variations, it's ideal for both beginners and experts alike! And with the supplies so easily accessible (you all probably have everything needed already) it's also one of the most budget friendly ways to dress up your backgrounds!
For my card today, I started by ink blending three different colors over an embossed background. Ink blending over embossing (or resist embossing) is one of my top three favorite backgrounds!
I embossed the Loosely Woven background stamp using white embossing powder onto white cardstock. You can also use clear embossing powder for this technique, but I find that the white shows up a bit more and that was the look I was going for with this card. I started sponging on some Sweet Blush and Melon Berry ink on the top. I then sponged on Ocean Tides ink and finally Dark Indigo on the bottom.
I layered the emboss resist layer onto a kraft layer that I stenciled dots onto using Fresh Snow ink. Ink blending with stencils is also a technique I add to my cards frequently. I especially like how you can control the intensity of the design by layering on more color.
I added some stamped and die cut leaves from the new Lovely Leaves set. The cute little flower is from the Framing Florals set. I stamped the sentiment (from the Just Sentiments: Birthday) onto a die cut tag (from the Tagged & Labeled die set).
Here are a couple of other ink blended background techniques that I really enjoy doing. The one of the left is an ombre background created with three different Distress Oxide inks. I also like to splatter on water and darker paint to add even more depth and texture.
The sample on the right feature more emboss resist with ink blending. This time I only added the ink blending on part of the background. Ink sponging on only part of a design creates a spotlight of sorts. This will draw the eye and bring more attention to whatever you layer on top of it. Often times I will sponge on a bit of ink behind a sentiment to highlight it a bit more.
Here are some tips that I have found really helpful...
- Sponging in a circular pattern almost always produces better results.
- If possible, start sponging off page and gradually move onto your background.
- Use a color wheel to determine how well colors will blend together (some colors produce a not so flattering shade of brown when mixed).
- It's always better to start with a light hand when sponging. You can always add more ink layers for more concentrated saturation.
- Dye based inks work best for ink blending.
- Saturated sponges (see the two Tim Holtz foam refill samples below) work much better than new ones. The color goes on more evenly.
Let's talk tools! For the longest time, all I used were the round Tim Holtz sponges. I actually still use these a lot. I have, however, found some other applicators that I also enjoy using. The Picket Fence Blender Brushes are AMAZING! They work so well with the Papertrey inks and the applies the color so evenly. I find myself reaching for these especially when I want to add ink on only part of the background, creating a spotlight like effect (like I shared earlier). The mini sponge daubers work really well for smaller areas. I usually use these when sponging ink directly onto stamps. Don't mind the missing dauber in the photo above. My youngest son (he's five) decided he wanted to ink blend just like his mom...except he used mud. On my office door. LOL!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Laurie
