Best cardstock and sponges for blending inks
 

Hi everyone. I haven't been on for a while so apologize ahead of time if there's already a thread....

I love all the blended ink backgrounds folks are doing on cards these days. My attempts at blending inks don't go so well. I'm Assuming I need almost a coated white cardstock to keep the ink wetter longer. What do you use? And what tools (i.e. Sponges?) do you use to achieve these effects.

Attaching a card pic I found that shows the ink blending look I want. Help! :)
http://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.spli...b33c92d4f.jpeg

I had the same frustration - I never could do it with foam - but I love these brushes: Understand Blue: Please Use Other Door

I don't think a coated cardstock would work. What works really well for me (and many people according to blogs) is watercolor paper. You didn't mention the kind of ink you are using, and I use Distress Ink when I blend. Many people like the Distress watercolor cardstock, you can buy it at Joanns already cut to A2 size. My preferred paper is Canson XL watercolor paper. I use the distress mini ink blending tools.

If you went to Lydia's link, she is so right with the light touch and getting most of the ink off of the blending sponge, especially if you try to blend on regular white cardstock like Neenah, however I find a good base of color on your sponge is needed. My sponge works the best when the entire thing is the same color as the ink, no white showing. But when you "reload" your sponge, you dab off the extra.

I find the watercolor paper is much more forgiving, so if you do get a blob of ink, you can very easily blend it out.

Check out Laura Bassen (her blog is called doublestickheaven) for blending on regular cardstock and look up thecoloursofmagic on Instagram, she does beautiful blending, not sure what type of paper she uses.

I'm with Lydia; the Clarity brushes are amazing.