Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
this to me? I watched this YouTube vid with Jennifer McGuire regarding this technique:
Easy Distress Ink Watercolor Backgrounds (With Iron-Off Embossing)
So I applied the Distress Inks. I then sprayed the water on it... and the paper soaked up the water. There was not any pooling on top like hers did. I got some tiny bit of water color effect, but not really.
Is the issue the card stock? Do I need to be using really thick card stock, glossy card stock (for better pooling effect?), or water color paper?:confused:
Her example looked great. Mine, not so much. What I did find is she did not apply the distress inks like I normally do - with large streaks across the image, blending into other ink colors in layers. She applied the inks in tight circles right next to each other (lesson learned). And she used a heavy hand with the ink - yet the card looks lightly applied (from all the water?).
I just knew you guys would be able to straighten me out on this. Thanks.
Yes, she uses Tim Holtz Distress watercolor paper. I think any watercolor paper or paper that doesn't absorb water so quickly would work. I have Strathmore Bristol 300 series, and I can use water pretty well with it.
The thickness won't necessarily make a difference and I'd steer clear of glossy as you may run in to drying issues. As Kim confirmed, the thing that will make the biggest difference is watercolour paper. It reacts totally differently to moisture than most cardstocks.
I haven't tried the Ranger/Tim Holtz one but apparently it's smooth on one side and textured on the other so you get the best of all worlds as you can choose which way up to use it (most watercolour paper is either "hot press" (smooth and generally more expensive) or "cold press" (textured)). You might find watercolour paper you can buy with a coupon somewhere like Michael's (try looking with the art supplies rather than crafts).
Some cardstock may give you the effect you want but it might be trial and error to find it and it depends what you're able to get in your area as to what recommendations might be useful.
I did 6 samples of this technique, then placed them on cooling racks to dry. When they dry, the look is totally different. The distress ink fades almost by half the color when they are dry. And it does give a water color effect. Big difference from the wet cards I set down.
I will try the water color paper now. Thanks for taking the time to give your thoughts.
Let us know how it goes! I haven't tried that technique yet, but it's on my to-do list. I know I'll have to buy watercolor paper sooner or later, I just keep putting it off and making do with what I have, lol.
Yes, totally different when dry! I even think she points out what a hot mess it looks like when it's wet If you watch the Tim Holtz demos on Manila tags, they also sometimes look muddy and bizarre until they dry! Watercolor paper or thicker (90 lb. +) paper definitely makes a difference. I just tried it the other night on glossy paper, and it was a disaster, so hopefully I saved you that effort.
Yes, totally different when dry! I even think she points out what a hot mess it looks like when it's wet If you watch the Tim Holtz demos on Manila tags, they also sometimes look muddy and bizarre until they dry! Watercolor paper or thicker (90 lb. +) paper definitely makes a difference. I just tried it the other night on glossy paper, and it was a disaster, so hopefully I saved you that effort.
Thanks for sharing the experiment results. Good to know.
Can you explain?
