Get this email in your inbox every Monday morning

Issue 17 - August 4th 2014

I am looking at a really simple technique this week that anyone can try - using acrylic blocks and water based media to create softly blended backgrounds. There are so many different products you can try so why not experiment with a small block and see what works for you.

Contents

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR MONDAY MOJO READERS:

10% discount off your next order

For one week only you can get 10% off your next Chocolate Baroque order.

To get the magic code that will make this happen and read the terms of the offer

CLICK HERE

What you will need

Large Acrylic block (6x4 inch or 6x6 inch are good sizes)

Water based colour such as

Markers (eg, Distress, Memento, AquaMarkers)
Inkpads and re-inkers (not StazOn or Versafine, but any water based inkpads)
Inks (eg, Splash Inks or calligraphy inks)
Sprays (eg Dylusions)
Distress Stains or paints
Watercolour

Cardstock suitable for wet media (eg watercolour paper)

Water mister

A very flexible technique

The great thing about this technique is that you can use pretty much any water based media you already have and experiment with how it turns out. Remember that some waterbased products are waterproof when dry and others (particularly the Distress products) are not.

The waterproof products (such as Splash Inks) can be layered multiple times to build up rich colours. Adirondack dyes and the Distress family will react with water, so multiple layers will create a different effect as previous layers will merge and respond to the liquid in unpredictable ways.

If you want to stamp and colour on top of your backgrounds, bear this in mind if you plan on adding coloured detail. Solvent based markers won't disturb any layers, but water based markers might.

Background with Markers

My acrylic blocks get very grimy very quickly, but they clean up beautifully with StazOn cleaner. Apply liberally over any stains and polish off with kitchen towel.

Never use anything abrasive to clean your blocks as scratches will stop cling cushion from sticking properly.

Place a piece of white card under your block so you can see what you are doing. Scribble several patches of your first marker onto the block.

Repeat with other colours - don't overlap the colours as the water will merge them in the next step. This stops the tips of your markers getting contaminated with other colours.

Mist the block with water which will cause the colours to spread and merge. The more water you add, the more your colours will merge and the paler the result.

Leave the block on the table and press a piece of card over the top. You may want to flex the card slightly and starting at one side, 'roll' it onto the block to avoid trapping any air bubbles.

Remove to reveal your transferred print. If you have a pool of liquid down one edge, pat it with a little kitchen towel to prevent a dark edge when dry.

TIP: The reason I place the paper on the block (rather than picking up the block and using it to 'stamp' onto the paper) is that as soon as you pick it up the liquid sloshes around and you lose any distinct patches of colour you may have. You may also find most of the colour runs right off the block and drips all over your table!

Monday Mojo 17 Acrylic Block Backgrounds

This example shows that you can be quite precise when you lay down your marker colours, but the water will always make the finished results unpredictable.

Here I have added lots of water which results in paler colours. I've also got a little patch with no colour which is a result of trapping an air pocket as I laid the card down

Backgrounds with Inks

In this sample I have used Splash Inks which are acrylic based so they will be waterproof once dry. I started with yellow, blue and black.

These inks are a little thicker, so I have been able to manipulate the colours with a paintbrush before applying water.

The water still makes the colours blend, but they don't merge as much as the markers or inkpad colours do.

I decided I wanted my colours blended a lot more, so I used a bamboo skewer held quite flat to draw horizontally through the colours to mix them.

I then drew vertically which gave me a much more uniform colour.

The finished result was printed on very absorbent watercolour paper and has given me a lovely mix of different shades of green.

The close ups

2014 Artwork

The soft subtle tones of these backgrounds are ideal for these beautiful Artishape images by Chapel Road Art Stamps. These backgrounds were done on glossy coated card, then overstamped with Archival ink in Library Green. The watermark background you can see on the cream card is from our Nature Swirls stamp set.

Where to buy

Materials used in this project are available online at

www.chocolatebaroque.com

The back story

I originally ran this series in 2013 and this time round, I am using my own tutorials to inspire me to create a new piece of artwork to share with you each week.

I love to create and I am also passionate about inspiring and enabling others to create too. I hope that this email gets your mojo working and you feel motivated to get into your crafty space and have a go.

Glenda

PS - if your creation features Chocolate Baroque stamps, then why not share on our Facebook Group or our wonderful private forum. In both places you will find a wonderful community of like minded Chocolate Baroque fans.

10% Discount on your next order


Your exclusive code is: JX88 To redeem this code, simply enter JX88 in the coupon box on the checkout page before you pay for your order. The discount will be calculated before VAT (sales tax) and shipping are added.	Terms and Conditions - please read the following carefully: You must enter the coupon code to get the discount. We will not issue refunds if you forget to enter the coupon code. The code is valid until midnight (British Summer Time) August 10th 2014 and will not be extended or applied retrospectively. This offer does not apply to wholesale orders.
Offer Expires: Midnight (UK time) August 10th 2014