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Hi fellow stampers!
I recently got my first ever inkpads - Memento dye inks and I feel I haven't been able to do justice with them. I was wondering if you all can help me know about techniques I can try with these..
Few that I know-
-Sponging (never got the results that i see on you tube though. Maybe because I use cheap sponge?)
-Distressing edges
-Acrylic block stamping
Any other techniques you think I can try with Memento dye ink pads(dew shaped ones)?
Thanks
Aastha
Since you just got your first inkpads, I'm guessing you're reasonably new to the hobby. If that's the case, the answer to your question about sponging is probably "play and practice!". I also use cheap sponges (I get large ones designed as car wash sponges and chop little chunks off them - I usually get three in a pack for �1).
Tips for sponging to try out as you play: build up intensity through repeated light applications rather than trying to get dense coverage all in one go. Pinch your sponge into a rounded shape so you don't get any hard "edges". Keep the sponge moving in little round motions. Don't overload the sponge with ink, just dab it on the pad, sponge onto your paper until you feel it's "dry" and keep going back to the pad to reload as needed.
Distressing edges is really just another way of sponging and most of those tips will apply. A smooth surface such as a non-stick craft mat will help. Start your sponge moving while off the paper and using little swirly motions bring it onto the paper edge. Keep swirling and move along the edge as you go.
The secret for acrylic block stamping is probably in the amount of water you spritz onto the block after you apply the ink and the paper you're stamping it onto. Some papers work better with very wet media than others - if it's too absorbent you'll end up with blotchy intense spots of colour rather than a nicely blended watery effect. This is not a controllable technique - you'll get a different and slightly unpredictable outcome each time!
The little dew drop shape pads can make great stamps in their own right - I've used them as stylized leaves and petals. Just press the pad gently on your paper and you'll get a (slightly imperfect) drop shape. A fineline marker and a bit of doodling can add some definition and detail if you want it. You could make whimiscal creatures by doodling faces etc on there!
Since you just got your first inkpads, I'm guessing you're reasonably new to the hobby. If that's the case, the answer to your question about sponging is probably "play and practice!". I also use cheap sponges (I get large ones designed as car wash sponges and chop little chunks off them - I usually get three in a pack for �1).
Tips for sponging to try out as you play: build up intensity through repeated light applications rather than trying to get dense coverage all in one go. Pinch your sponge into a rounded shape so you don't get any hard "edges". Keep the sponge moving in little round motions. Don't overload the sponge with ink, just dab it on the pad, sponge onto your paper until you feel it's "dry" and keep going back to the pad to reload as needed.
Distressing edges is really just another way of sponging and most of those tips will apply. A smooth surface such as a non-stick craft mat will help. Start your sponge moving while off the paper and using little swirly motions bring it onto the paper edge. Keep swirling and move along the edge as you go.
The secret for acrylic block stamping is probably in the amount of water you spritz onto the block after you apply the ink and the paper you're stamping it onto. Some papers work better with very wet media than others - if it's too absorbent you'll end up with blotchy intense spots of colour rather than a nicely blended watery effect. This is not a controllable technique - you'll get a different and slightly unpredictable outcome each time!
The little dew drop shape pads can make great stamps in their own right - I've used them as stylized leaves and petals. Just press the pad gently on your paper and you'll get a (slightly imperfect) drop shape. A fineline marker and a bit of doodling can add some definition and detail if you want it. You could make whimiscal creatures by doodling faces etc on there!
HTH - have fun!
Thanks Joanne for the reply.
I needed all the tips that you gave. I don't even realize what's going wrong when a technique fails and sooner or later get frustrated that nothing's working.. Will try them again..Thanks!
I also have issues with sponging. I started off using cheap, fine pore makeup sponges (which so many people love) but had a lot of trouble. I could see half-moon shapes made by my fingernails pressing through the sponge.
I still have issues but at least now I know why. I was using too much ink and too much pressure. The trick is to start off your page (when possible) and use a very light tough with a lightly inked sponge and then build color as you go.
Another thing you can use your dye inks for is watercolors. Dab your ink pad on a waterproof craft mat or piece of plastic wrap. Then, use a wet brush to moisten the ink and pick up the color to paint with.
I also have issues with sponging. I started off using cheap, fine pore makeup sponges (which so many people love) but had a lot of trouble. I could see half-moon shapes made by my fingernails pressing through the sponge.
I still have issues but at least now I know why. I was using too much ink and too much pressure. The trick is to start off your page (when possible) and use a very light tough with a lightly inked sponge and then build color as you go.
Another thing you can use your dye inks for is watercolors. Dab your ink pad on a waterproof craft mat or piece of plastic wrap. Then, use a wet brush to moisten the ink and pick up the color to paint with.
Thanks Melissa!
I think I find sponging to be one technique which seems the easiest but is actually much more tricky. Will definitely keep these tips in mind when I try it next time!
Thanks Melissa!
I think I find sponging to be one technique which seems the easiest but is actually much more tricky. Will definitely keep these tips in mind when I try it next time!
It is definitely trickier than it looks! But it definitely gets better with practice. Don't give up on the technique before you're able to add some other tools to your stash, because particular tools can really make a difference.
An ink blending tool with their dense foam applicators create beautiful effects, but finger daubers with their open-hole sponges make it easier for me to get a blended look. Foam make-up sponges and open-hole bath sponges from the dollar store will give you similar effects-- you'll just need to adapt them a little bit as angelnorth suggested in her good tips above.
And while you can definitely get a pretty look with regular dye inks, as soon as you can, I would suggest trying any of the Distress Ink pads (check Amazon – they often discount certain colors to $3.00/pad and they also come in tiny cubes that you can find as low as $2/each). The ink is designed to blend beautifully and blend with each other, so it's a shortcut to a great outcome!
The paper you are trying to blend on also makes a big difference. Rather than saving up for a whole ream, I've bought small quantities of good paper on the buy/sell forum here. It's a great way to get your feet wet!
It is definitely trickier than it looks! But it definitely gets better with practice. Don't give up on the technique before you're able to add some other tools to your stash, because particular tools can really make a difference.
An ink blending tool with their dense foam applicators create beautiful effects, but finger daubers with their open-hole sponges make it easier for me to get a blended look. Foam make-up sponges and open-hole bath sponges from the dollar store will give you similar effects-- you'll just need to adapt them a little bit as angelnorth suggested in her good tips above.
And while you can definitely get a pretty look with regular dye inks, as soon as you can, I would suggest trying any of the Distress Ink pads (check Amazon � they often discount certain colors to $3.00/pad and they also come in tiny cubes that you can find as low as $2/each). The ink is designed to blend beautifully and blend with each other, so it's a shortcut to a great outcome!
The paper you are trying to blend on also makes a big difference. Rather than saving up for a whole ream, I've bought small quantities of good paper on the buy/sell forum here. It's a great way to get your feet wet!
Hope you're having fun!
Thankyou for tips and the video. That helps alot!!
I like to use my inks to build up very rich colors, and I do it by a pouncing method. I take my Distress Ink pad and put it right next to my project piece and then I stamp my blender tool onto the pad and onto the piece and onto the pad and onto the piece. Over and over, moving the blender tool to build up color where I want it. It allows me to get saturated color and if I'm working over a masked image I can get a nice rich background, and I have learned how to control it so that I can have variations in saturation. Only thing is it's kind of tiring. Stamp, pounce, stamp, pounce, etc.
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Techniques with Dye Inks
