2017 #12 Hybrid Inks: Autumn Postcard {by Jennie Atkinson}

2017 Topic 12: Hybrid Inks

Jennie decides in this post to use her oxide inks onto a painted background - wathc what happens!

Hi everyone, it's Jennie (Live the Dream) with you today, and I'd like to share with you some experiments using the wonderful new Distress Oxides and PaperArtsy Fresco Acrylic Paint.

Many of you will know how much I love the Infusions and that I find I have a far greater control over the colour and saturation levels when I give the cardstock a coating of Fresco Acrylic Paint. So .... I decided to experiment in a similar way with the Distress Oxides and have been very pleased with the results, especially when combined with Scrapcosy's wonderful new Autumn stamp release.

I will start with the experiments so you can see what I am talking about! I love using PaperArtsy Smoothy Cardstock as it really does hold the ink and water well. Using some ATC sized pieces I splodged the following Distress Oxides on my craft mat and spritzed them with a little water.

Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Fossilised Amber and Walnut Stain

This was how the ordinary cardstock picked up the colours - very nice and I like the effect but you know me, I always want to get something a little softer!

But look at the difference when the cardstock has been primed with Chalk Fresco Finish Acrylic Paint .... a much softer colour which sits on top of the paint instead of being absorbed into the cardstock.

Seeing the experimental pieces side by side it doesn't seem possible that I have used the same colours. But I have to admit to liking the softer version which sits better with my vintage style.

I wanted to create a soft vintage Autumnul postcard using Scrapcosy's Autumn stamp set ESC05 and stencil PS065 from her release back in June. The stamps are just so gorgeously detailed and there are so many lovely elements on the stencil.

For the postcard itself: before using any inks or stamps I primed my piece of 6" x 4" Smoothy Cardstock with Chalk Fresco Acrylic Paint again in order to maintain the same colours for my base. I picked up a minimal amount of colour from my craft mat this time, just enough to hint at a watery autumnul day. I blended some Vintage Photo Distress Oxide lightly through the stencil and stamped text here and there as a second generation inking. Just keeping everything as light as possible.

I went in a bit heavier with colour for the toadstools as I wanted some brighter colours. I managed to find the "best" bits stamping with Archival Black Ink. 

These were then cut out and layered onto the postcard - I just love those gorgeous random splotches of colour and watermarks!

From the pieces which were left over I stamped some acorns .....

..... and then used Grunge Paste through the stencil to create a small sentiment which hides the messy cutting at the feet of the toadstools!

I really love the softness of colour the Chalk Fresco gives the Distress Oxides. As much as I love the bright colours they are not for me, but by combining the two products the result is a beautifully smooth softer hue whist still maintaining the oxidised finish.

I do hope this gives you some ideas as to how you can lighten bright colours to give them a more muted vintage hue by priming the cardstock first. I have to admit to getting through a huge amount of Chalk Fresco Acrylic Paint - I use it as a base for so many projects as it really does give a very different finish to Gesso, but doesn't overpower the project with a base colour.

As always thank you for joining me and here's hoping that the Autumn doesn't arrive just yet! 

Jennie x

Live The Dream

I love how you figured out how to soften the oxides to suit your personal preferences Jennie! This has turned out fabulous, the stamp details really pop beautifully!!

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