2018 #16 Reinkers: Drop & Spritz Technique with ETS {by Autumn Clark}

2018 Topic 16: Reinkers

In this post Autumn seems to create a velvet-like magic on this journal cover with her reinkers! ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Autumn Clark with you today, and I'd like to share with you a little experiment I'll call the Reinker Drop and Spritz Technique.  

I love using spray inks in my work and thought why not utilize my stash of reinkers in a similar method, spraying the colors with water for movement and blending.  I decided to try and keep my colors separate, similarly to the cells you create with dropping alcohol inks.  I must say this was so much fun to try and I hope you'll have a go yourself...

I chose a die cut wrap journal as my substrate.  This one was cut from white matboard and I knew I needed to gesso it to give my inks a bit of flexibility.  I gessoed the front and back.  Next I dropped a reinker onto the prepared surface randomly.  I used Adirondack brand reinkers, but I'm sure any dye based ink would have a similar result.  After I dropped my first color I spritzed the centers of the ink drops heavily with water to allow the ink to spread.  Then I moved on, color after color until the front of my panel was covered, drying in between each color.

I was able to go back in and sponge any areas that didn't get covered for a more finished look.  I even found that splashing water on the panel would allow the ink to be lifted.  

I used Distress Glaze with a sponge to seal my inks.  I felt this was important for a journal that would be handled a lot.  I added white embossing with the exquisite PaperArtsy Eclectica³ {Tracy Scott} Collection (ETS02) on my cover and inner flap.

I dipped some watercolor card into pools of watered reinkers on my kraft mat.  Notice the much more vibrant effect this gave versus the gessoed panels?  I cut the card to size and covered some purchased mini composition notebooks which are held in place with threaded elastic.

I wanted the interior of my notebook to be much darker, to contrast with the light cover and white embossing.  I dry brushed Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (Midnight), trying to scrape off some of the paint and allow the brushstrokes to show.  I purposely didn't paint to the edge.  Then I went back over the exposed edges with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paint (Claret).  This transluscent paint was perfect to highlight those white spaces without changing the color of the Midnight base.  I will definitely be using this technique again!

The final detail was to add Alison's beautiful quote from PaperArtsy Eclectica³ {Alison Bomber} Collection (EAB07).  

What a fabulous, inspiring sentiment for a journal!

I had a blast dropping and spritzing with my reinkers and I know you will too!  I walked away with two new techniques as a result of sheer abandon in play.  I hope your wheels are turning with color combinations and twists on this fun concept and look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Until next time, Autumn Clark

Blog: SewPaperPaint
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Simply make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 16: Reinkers will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, September 30th 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

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