Faded Water Stenciling
by Dina Kowal
Create a double fade with ink, water and stencils.
Supplies
- Watercolor paper (Fabriano Studio 140# Hot Press paper used here)
- Washi tape
- Water-reactive ink in 2 colors (Distress Oxide inks used here)
- Blending tools (Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes used here)
- Stencil (A Colorful Life Designs 020227 Houndstooth used here)
- Water mister
- Paper towel
- Other supplies as needed to complete the project (used here: Tonic cardstock, York's Little Art Studio - Little Ladies Mail Art wood mounted stamp, Impression Obsession B13615 A Little Something cling stamp, Zig Clean Color Brush Markers, QoR Watercolors, Sakura glaze pen)
Step-by-Step
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Step 1
Secure a watercolor card panel to your work surface using washi tape or painter’s tape. Tape only at the edge, to allow maximum area for ink blending.
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Step 2
Position a stencil over the panel. Tape the stencil along one edge so that the tape can act as a hinge.
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Flip the stencil out of the way for now.
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Step 3
Using a water-reactive ink, blend the first color from the top edge to about one third of the way down.
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Step 4
Blend the second color into the first color and continue covering, down to about the middle of the panel. Blend out a little more color lightly.
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Step 5
Flip the stencil down onto the panel. Lightly blend the same ink over the blended area and down toward the bottom of the panel.
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This is how the panel should look at this point, with the stenciling emerging from the second band of ink blending.
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Step 6
Lightly mist the top half of the card with water through the stencil. Be careful not to spray too much, or the water will seep under the stencil.
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Step 7
With the stencil still in place, blot the water in the stencil openings. The water should reactivate the ink through the stencil openings, and it will lift away, leaving a negative pattern in the inked area.
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Step 8
Lift the stencil and blot any excess water that may have seeped underneath the stencil.
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Allow the panel to dry completely to enjoy the effect of the background ink fading from dark to light and the stenciling fading from light to dark!
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Step 9
Use the panel to complete a card or other project.
Video!
Your Turn
You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Faded Water Stenciling. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!
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Questions and Comments
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