Brayer Sky
 

Help! I have tried this technique several times, but I must be missing something. I use this background a lot when I paint using watercolors and it is very easy, but I am not successful using the brayer and ink. Are there any tips that you can share? I am particularly interested in making the colors blend together. I have very distinct edges between the colors.

Thanks in advance for any help!

While I haven't done this particular technique, I have found that the more you roll the brayer, the more the colors blend.

Just keep rolling!! Glossy cardstock works well with a brayer too. If you get really stuck you could always check out You Tube and see if they have any brayer and ink videos? I'm a visual learner so I often check out You Tube for help!

HTH

Aimes
x

Thanks so much. I'll give it a try & let you know!!!

look at zindorfs blog. she is so talented with a brayer and sponging

i agree with the glossy paper... i start a little bit off the paper and then i roll onto the paper and go back and forth til I ilke the colors... i agree... Check out Zindorf's gallery... she will amaze you! Her blog has some FAB tutorials... I hope this will help you...
Dawn

Lines
 

Thanks so much. I actually missed the last 2 replies.

- Simi

I have found that I like using a sponge better than a brayer because it blends much easier.

For me, I find using pigment inks makes a smoother transition between the colors, although you have to be careful of what colors you're using - they may blend to a color you don't want - and perhaps letting each dry a bit between layers. I also support Zindorf's blog, her tuts are awesome and she answers questions too! :) Good luck!

Here are some tips -

when you add ink to your brayer, don't roll it when you get to the ink of the ink pad. Think of how you play with a toy car ~ you roll it to get the wheels moving, don't do that because you won't know where the ink stopped on the brayer. Use a smooth rolling motion, pick up the stamp, an run it down the stamp pad again. Keep repeating until you get a nice even coating of DYE ink.

Use the same smooth motion to roll back and forth. Don't pick up the brayer each time, just back and forth. Likes other have said, you have to do this several times to get a smooth transition and blend the lines.

Only works on glossy paperstock because the dye ink stays wet and lets you blend the colors.

Keep your fingers off the glossy side - If you have any oil on your hands your fingerprints will show and they are hard to get out.

I've attached a link to a sample with a brayered sky. HTH

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...&ppuser=164186

I am having issues and concerns with my brayer too. Lines, lines, lines not a pretty site. I love Michelle Zindorf!! Her brayered art is beautiful. She is doing classes in Dayton, Ohio at Marcos Paper and I signed up for one of her classes and cannot wait til Sept 6th to learn from the Artist herself!! If you are interested in the classes there were still some openings when I signed up yesterday.

I went to You Tube but didn't get very far. I don't know how the site works I guess. I typed Zindorf into the search box and didn't get anything. I also looked under How To and didn't find anything. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm over 30 so keep that in mind when giving me instructions ;D

finding zindorf
 

go to todays additions and then click on search then type in zindorf and go her site from there.

Lucky girl, getting to go to Zindorf's class! Love the brayered sky look and never knew one of the components was glossy paper--good to know.:)

I Did a Video Tut on this....
 

I wish I would've seen that you needed this. I did a video tutorial that I just moved off the main video page.

You can find it here

I'm just getting ready to post another brayer one, but it's probably a different kind of sky.

The Very Vellum one is brayered on glossy. The Sparkle Plenty is done on Whisper White. I think that the glossy works better, but they're 2 kinds of cards.

Hope this helps.

Ann, I keep getting "Problem loading page"--don't know if it's just me?

It says it can't find the server at Stamperdog...

ETA it's working now, maybe a lot of people are reading this thread LOL

Ann what awesome videos they are, love the dog!!!!! It really helped me out, I could see that I am just too darn impatient LOL I have a different brayer, too--don't know if that matters.
Thanks for the post!

Ann

Thanks so much! The video is awesome & the card is simply beautiful.

Which Brayer?
 

If you have a rubber brayer, it should work the same. Foam has a different effect. But I do know our bigger plastic handle is easier on your hand.

Note to you brayer addicts: Rinse them off as soon as you're done. We did the Sparkle Plenty card at one of my events and I left it out for a couple hours. Looks nice in Not Quite Navy, doesn't it? :p I should know better because this sky brayer has a line on it. I know it'll come out with Stampin' Mist when I get a few minutes.

I spoke mainly about the Very Vellum video I did for the sky, but if you haven't seen the Sparkle Plenty card, that's a nice brayer card that's in my Video Technique section.

i loved looking at this site ,some fun things to see here ,maby not brayer but similiar

http://www.stampscapes.com/lessonset.html

This has got to be the best thread ever!! From Zindorf's blog, to You Betcha!'s videos to the eye candy on stampscapes.

Beautiful. Creative. Inspirational.

Thanks to Simi for starting this. I just love the sharing of info, links and art. Love it.:)

Yes, I saw that one too and it is gorgeous, and I love the part with you & the dog in the beginning! Your dog reminds me of Wishbone on PBS!

I just got my first brayer. I bought a speedball with a hard rubber.

I played with it. Tried to put two colors on each end, but i keep getting hard lines.

What am I doing wrong? I am not using glossy paper, is that the problem

Glossy paper works best because the ink doesn't soak into the paper. So when you keep rolling over it, the ink edges will blend together. I find it works best for me to always roll in the same direction (away from me) rather than rolling back and forth. Then you need to set it aside for a while to give the ink time to dry.

I have also been using this technique today (good for a 'boy' card!). I also struggled with my brayer. I decided in the end it was just too hard and this was why I was getting lines all the time. Also though, I wasn't using glossy card. In desperation I resorted to my sponges and got some really lovely results. Just remember to be a bit gentle with the sponges when it is first inked up so you don't get great splodges of ink. I used a range of dye inks, pigment inks and chalk inks simply because that was what I had in the colours I wanted to use.

Ann- I love your video!! I'm marking this for sure, I can't believe what you did with the flowers, I have the 5 flower punch and have thought of the BoHo? one, now for sure I NEED it. Thanks so much for your sharing thoughts and ideas

Debra

If you are going to sponge, I would recommend using a swirling motion and starting off the cardstock to avoid splotches.

Great Brayering Video Tutorial!!
 

Thanks YouBetcha!! for the great video tutorial using the brayer....and I LOVE the stamp set used for your Sympathy Card...simple, but SO elegant looking.

You really should to a WEEKLY video I think!!

GREAT ideas and beautiful cards! and I LOVE your dog as well..what a sweety....

Will be hoping and watching for MORE videos!!! Cya, Jo

Awesome Tutorial for Brayering!!
 

Thanks for the link..she is awesome!!

If you want an alternative to a brayered sky you might want to try faux airebrush. I put up a quick tutorial that may help.

http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...5#post11223055