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In trying to do the Water Stamping background papers, the tutorial (Bev Gerard, thanks) says to aim for "rich color", when sponging on the inks. Try as I might, my sponged backgrounds always look covered by a sheer fog when I'm done. It doesn't matter which brand and/or color of ink I use, or which cardstock, though I tend to use white 100 lb. most of the time.
It makes me wonder if, when I see a sponged background that's really saturated color, if the person displaying the card is skilled at editing photos, or does she really get sponged backgrounds that saturated.
Do YOU get sponged backgrounds that are "rich color"? If so, what ink, paper and sponge do you use?
I'd go for Distress or Adirondack and choose the deeper colours (for example use Lettuce Adirondack, not Willow). Just sponge as you normally would with little circular motions and aim for full, smooth coverage - you can always add a second layer of sponging if you feel you haven't got enough colour going on after your first attempt.
I've attached an example of a sponged background done with Distress ink (Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick in this case). No Photoshop trickery but plenty of colour depth! I use chunks snipped off a car wash sponge for all my ink application and although my cardstock recommendation will be no use to you (it's an unbranded one from a UK source) it's very like Simply Smooth. I suspect the weight is less important than the finish.
Gorgeous card, Joanne! I think that the type of sponge you use makes a difference, too. Cosmetic sponges absorb so much ink that you don't get much on the project itself, some sponges are too "holey", etc. Cheap household sponges from places like Dollar Tree and like Joanne uses (car wash sponge) seem to be what the pros like to use. Also, as you continue to use the same sponge, it builds up ink and the color gets more saturated as you continue to sponge over the same areas.
I'd agree with Joanne that the finish of the card makes a big difference - it's easier to get a really saturated finish on a smoother surface. And repeated sponging helps build depth of colour. I use the Cut and Dry foam from Ranger.
I used Distress inks picked raspberry and spiced marmalade with a Ranger foam blending tool on 80 lb. Cougar Super Smooth card stock and applied a lot of ink for water stamping. I used other colors of Distress inks, too. It's gorgeous! when I used other dye...maybe it was Memento or Jenni Bowlin it didn't work.
Arlene nailed the issue exactly, I'm thinking! I wasn't paying close enough attention to the original post and missed some of the information as a result. AND - the information I missed was the crucial point: you're trying to do the Water Stamping technique! As far as I know, that ONLY works with the Distress Inks, which are formulated to interact with water! Other dye inks - although water-based - have different properties than the Distress Inks, so there's that... Previously I was just focused on the "saturated color" part - DOH! Thanks, Arlene, for catching the real issue!
I used to have a hard time with this too. Now I just use more ink than I used to. I go over the paper more than once, usually starting with a lighter color, then going around the edge in a darker shade and finally going back over with the lighter shade to blend well. I have managed some pretty vibrant shades this way.
Many thanks for all these ideas. I bought Gum Arabic years ago and then forgot what it was for, so I shall mix some with a distress reinker and see how it goes.
Also I've been meaning to try Adirondack ink and will try that too.
Joanne's card is the saturation I've been hoping for,.
How to sponge for saturated color?
