Technique Try-Out: Painting with Distress Ink

I love watching videos showing new techniques, and Tim Holtz is the master of such demos...but I've noticed that sometimes first attempts at a project don't always quite turn out as nice as the demonstration. So I've started trying out my techniques on artist trading cards (so as to save paper) and displaying the more successful ones on a 7 Gypsies ATC Display Spinner (to remember past successes) and I decided to share my attempts here as well.

Today's project: painting with distress inks.
Supplies needed: embossing-quality ink, stamp with large negative space, embossing powder, assorted distress stain colors, heat tool, water mister or glimmer mist, and embellishments.

To create:  ink stamp well with embossing ink and stamp image on paper. Cover with embossing powder and heat to set. Allow to cool. Paint using distress stains. Note how the stains will layer without getting muddy (a quality of all Tim Holtz Ranger Ink products!) but will alter the colors slightly. In this case, the blue darkened the green which is lovely.  Mist with water or glimmer mist to allow the colors to interplay further and add additional shimmer. Allow to dry. (Remember, if you heat-set glimmer mist, it will bond on the embossed areas as well, but you can't pat it dry then or the embossing powder will smear.)  Add embellishments as desired.

Some challenges: I worked on a manila-covered surface, so my colors were not quite as vivid as I'd like. Next time I may try working with picket fence paint on the bottom layer first.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Pin It