2018 #16 Reinkers: In the Pink with ETS {by Helen Chilton}

2018 Topic 16: Reinkers

Hi everyone, it's Helen with you today, and I'm using Distress Oxide reinkers. I really love these little bottles of highly intense pigment and was fascinated to see what the oxide bit would do. You only need a tiny bit of colour as it goes a long way, so they are great value.

I've used a 6x6 canvas board for this and in the end kept it quite simple, well for me anyway, using three different techniques: stencilling, stamping and watercolouring. Obviously you can also use them on a craft mat as you would the inkpads, but I wanted to try out something different.

This uses some of Tracy's new stamps and one of her stencils - they're just beautiful, lovely bold designs that I've embossed in black.

The first technique was stamping and I don't know why I haven't done this before as it's been around for ages. I was very impressed with the effectiveness of it - I've only used three colours in stripes, but you could use lots of different inks dotted round to make a truly multicoloured inkpad.

Press the stamp into the wet, inked baby wipes,

stamp and hey presto, a perfect image.

I was a bit worried at this point as, being me, instead of stopping at the blue/green stamping I had to add some Seedless Preserves over the top to mix it all up a bit and it came out a bit strong!

I solved it by spritzing a tiny amount of water and then blotting the colour back. Phew!

With the stencilling I was interested to see if the oxide would be activated in a clear gel. It's very easy to mix up - don't add too much as it's intense pigment. This is a 3D gloss gel so ideal for stencils.

I loved the result - a slightly milky/opaque yet glossy finish.

Finally I  used them to watercolour Tracy's flowers - again, one drop will do.

 The large text on this set is really striking - it fits the canvas so well.

I love using reinkers like this and even though it seems an extra expense added on to buying the inkpad, I think it's well worth it. One bottle lasts for ages and they're really handy if you want to colour images in. If you use a palette with a lid as I've done, the ink never dries out and you can just use it again next time. If you store your baby wipe inkpad in an airtight plastic bag, that won't dry up either. You can also mix up and create your own colours. 

Use them to colour any medium - gesso, white paint, gels, modelling pastes etc. Also try doodling with them as the fine nozzle allows for this. If you let the doodle semi dry then spritz it, you'll get the oxidisation and watercolour effect, but the doodled design will also remain.

Hope you've enjoyed this - off to make a many coloured, baby wipe inkpad!

Helen

Blog: A Splash of Colour

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