I wanted to share a simple but effective stamping technique which is a quick way to create an artsy watercolour-effect with supplies you already have in your stash! The cards I’ve created have been stamped with Distress Ink. Distress ink is not typically an ink I would use to stamp line art but their properties mean that, when they react with water, the outline can be softened to give a slightly blurred look. All these cards have been made using only a few Distress Ink colours and they have been used to stamp, splatter, create a watercolour background and to ink through a stencil – demonstrating just how versatile they can be!

Some of the top tips I learnt in using this technique is that it is better to use a reasonably fresh Distress Ink pad. The juicier the pad, the more likely it is to apply sufficient ink for it to move more freely when splattered with water. Also, it works best when you splatter the water shortly after stamping so the ink gets the chance to react before soaking into the cardstock. Distress Ink tends to stay wet slightly longer than other ink but the drier they get, the less movement will be created.

While the aim of this technique is to create a relatively loose watercolour effect, you can still maintain a good level of control by blotting the water if too much has been applied, and by moving the water and Distress Ink with a paintbrush to gently nudge it out.

I hope you give this technique a try with stamps you have in your stash. Just flick a little water and watch the magic happen!

1

Select the Distress Ink you would like to use for the stamped image. I chose Picked Raspberry and Peacock Feathers

2

Blend the Distress Ink onto the stamp to create a variegated effect, then stamp onto the right-hand side of a piece of watercolour cardstock

3

Sprinkle the stamped image with water and allow it to sit on the image

4

The ink will react and blend together, starting to create new colours, as shown

5

Apply the inkpads directly to a glass mat and spritz with water. Pick it up using a paintbrush and

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Stamping Contemporary Floral Cardmaking Distress Ink skillbuilder tutorial Papercraft Essentials PE176 Sarah Gray papercraft how-to