Bokeh Background

by Lydia Fiedler

Create a very simple, dreamy background inspired by a photography technique.

Supplies

  • Large stamp or die cut
  • Dye ink pad (Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise used here)

  • Metallic Gelato™ to match ink or other shimmery water-based medium (Metallic Blueberry Gelato used here)

  • Coloring medium to match ink(PITT artist pen big brush used here)

  • Pencil with new, flat white eraser




Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1

    Apply metallic Gelato directly to your stamp image.

  2. Step 2

    Using a water brush, wet the Gelato directly on the stamp.

  3. Step 3

    Stamp image, and then using water brush, fill in the edges with more Gelato to create a shadow image for the card base.

  4. Step 4

    Using the eraser like a stamp, add ink, and then gelato and stamp around your focal image - beginning close to the image and stamping farther away as the ink fades on the eraser.

  5. Step 5

    Continue stamping circles, some intense and some pale until you have the background you want.

  6. Step 6 (Optional)

    Add a finished image, popped up over the shadow you created, to finish your card.

Video!

Variations

  1. Highlight a die cut:
    Use a die cut or punched shape instead of a stamped image for the focal point.

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Bokeh Background. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

How marvelous! Thanks so much.
Donna Ellis  |  Sat Sep 28, 2013 at 3:46 PM
Very cool card.
I would like to purchase the stamp. You said it is Wonderful Wings and do you know the manufacturer?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Lynn Lohne  |  Tue Oct 1, 2013 at 8:26 PM
Hi Lynn -

The manufacturer is Stampin' Up! That particular stamp is retired, but you have a few options. You can post and (I)n (S)earch (O)f in this forum: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/iso-f115/ and see if anyone wants to sell theirs, or you can purchase a smaller version of this same image in a set called "Best of Butterflies" from Stampin' Up! There's a link under the video to see the size of that image.
lydia  |  Tue Oct 1, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Love this technique, thanks for sharing! Beautiful card! I love butterflies too!
Fay Chave  |  Fri Oct 4, 2013 at 7:41 AM
Wow! That is really pretty. I think I like it a lot without the bold image over top the dreamy image, too.
Melissa Craig  |  Sat Oct 12, 2013 at 6:13 PM
I love this technique and your card is absolutely beautiful!
Brigit  |  Tue Oct 22, 2013 at 6:12 PM
Beautiful! I too cut off antenna but replace it with black thin wire cut, curled and attached with a sticky dot. It adds a nice dimension.
Kathy  |  Wed Nov 6, 2013 at 9:18 AM
Excellent tutorial Lydia--you have inspired me to get the Gelato crayons..and that Indian ink marker is gorgeous and rich! Great style!
Susanne Gleason  |  Wed Nov 6, 2013 at 10:09 AM
OMG! Why in the world haven't I seen this earlier? LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE it, Lydia!!! Thank you so much for this great tutorial! Will definitely try this smile
Sylvia xx
Sylvia Blum  |  Sat Dec 14, 2013 at 9:25 PM
Stunning!
great tutorial!
Holly Saveur  |  Thu Jul 3, 2014 at 5:33 AM
Love your tutorial. You've inspired me to use my Gelatos.
Christa Beard  |  Wed Feb 25, 2015 at 5:08 PM
I love the technique .... gotta try it!
Debi Evans  |  Thu Feb 1, 2018 at 4:05 PM

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