Any techniques I do share may cross over to different surfaces or art styles, so don't be limited, even if I have only used a tag as an example. Think about using these techniques in your card making, art journaling and scrapbooking. Perhaps produce a canvas or a piece of altered art work. If some of this seems new and you're not sure what planet I am on, then keep stopping by and hopefully I can share my knowledge so that you may further your creative repertoire.
This week I thought I might start with some basic inking to create layers. There are many types of ink on the market, all of which have different qualities, suitable for a variety of purposes. I will at a later date blog about inks, for those that are a little unsure.
A heat resistant craft mat is an ideal work surface as it's slick coating allows your blending foam to slide onto your card much more easily. If you haven't got one, an oven liner (they tend to be a black version) or the back of your craft mat will be fine. For the purpose of this technique I used dye based inks (Ranger Distress inks). Use whatever you already have in your crafty stash, there's no need to rush out and start making hefty purchases....even though we crafters love nothing more !!! Decide first whether they are techniques you wish to explore further.
Firstly select 3 colours: one each of a light, medium and slightly darker ink, to give you some contrast. I chose a pale lemon, a light orange and a red. Using foam to pick up the colour from your ink pad (I prefer Ranger Cut 'n' Dry - a small square for each individual colour can be used over and over again), and starting with your palest colour, using a light circular motion from your mat and onto your card, start applying the colour. If you do this lightly until you get a 'feel' of the motion, you can always add more colour, but you can't take it away if you go in too heavy handed. I generally apply my first colour to the top right, bottom right, then the middle of the left side. Now the psychology bit......this rule of 3 is the most aesthetically appealing combination to the human mind....but that's the limit of my knowledge on that subject !
Then onto your medium colour, filling in some of the empty spaces, and finally your darker colour, which should be in smaller patches to accent . You will notice from mine, these naturally fall in the opposite areas to the palest colour: middle of right side, bottom left and top left..
Now to start creating your layers. I used a stencil of a clock, but it doesn't matter what it is, you are only adding some interest, and you can't tell that I used a clock, even if you look very closely. I made a disposable one, die cutting an oddment of card, and placed it so it fell over the bulk of the lightest areas. Either using the medium colour ink, or, as I did a pale brown (as this fitted with the warm tones of my colour palette....gosh another blog topic idea), very lightly start adding a little depth of colour. This is subtle as you don't want to completely cover your initial colours, think of it as 'adding shading'. If your stencil moves, you could use low tack tape to secure, but be careful not to 'shade' over the tape or that will leave a 'ghost image' too !! **tip for low tack tape - remove some of the sticky by touching to your skin or clothing a few times first, this prevents it over sticking to your card and tearing it when the tape is removed. I then added further layers, using the same pale brown/medium ink colour and partial impressions of stamps. Direct stamping ink colour will always be a deeper shade than that which has been blended...unless you really have been too heavy handed....whoops!! I used a postmark stamp, but I could have equally used a flower, script etc., use whatever you have already. If you notice, I have intentionally stamped off the edges. This again helps with the depth, giving the illusion that it is fading away. The main image was then stamped in a darker ink that totally contrasted with the other colours - navy blue. The stamp I used was a steampunk butterfly by Chocolate Baroque. I fell in love with this stamp as soon as they released it....so you may see it popping up frequently. You could add a sentiment or a phrase - if you haven't got anything suitable, why not simply write something on it. To finish, and add a few more layers, I added some accents - watch parts that I once bought in a bulk bag and have been sitting waiting to be used for such a long time, a metal cog, and I cut out a butterfly from a paper pad I had, covered the centre clock face with crackle accents (Ranger), and when dry, attached with a curly paper clip. Instead of ribbon I used a paper/tissue roll - not entirely sure what it is called but something I have had for such a long time and was yelling out to be used.
Once you've 'had a go', don't limit yourself to a tag, although this, or a square, rectangle etc. matted and added to a card would be fabulous, why not have a go at art journaling, it's very therapeutic. I will no doubt, visit this fabulous creative area many times and suggest links to help you further.
Thank you for stopping by, hopefully you will find this of interest. In the meantime, don't be shy, send me photos of your work (contact@divinecrafting.co.uk) so I can add it to my inspiration page on www.divinecrafting.co.uk
Christine x
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