ALCOHOL WASH ON STONE PAPER

 I have used Yasutomo Mineral Paper before with alcohol inks so I was aware of this different substrate for alcohol inks. So when I saw a 2-pack of A5 sized, unlined Stone Paper for $7 in my local Kmart, I had an inkling of what it was. It works exactly the same as the mineral paper and is such a bargain, 80 sheets for $3.50 (2-pack for $7.00). These samples were created with Ranger alcohol ink as a wash of colour over the stone paper which has a much more matte finish to it than Yupo does. The key is lots of isopropyl alcohol to give the "wash" look, rather than the other usual methods of applying alcohol ink. Because these backgrounds are so subtle, they don't need much in the way of decorating as I wanted the backgrounds to be the star of the show.

"Shine brightly"

"Take chances"

"Collector"

"Free to fly"

"I don't bite"

"Where flowers bloom"

 

NO LINE WATERCOLOUR

 This is another old technique that has been around for years that I had yet to try. Antique Linen Distress Ink pad was my choice for the initial stamping as it seems to be light enough to not be as obvious as a darker black or grey outline like normal stamping. I don't know what it is about no line watercolouring but it just seems to take way longer to watercolour these images than it does a normal stamped image when you use a darker outline stamping colour. You can use whatever colouring medium you like and in my samples below I used Distress Ink pads, Paul Ruben fluorescent watercolours and my Daniel Smith watercolours, though I know that Gansai Tambi or any other watercolour will work equally as well. The only thing I wouldn't use as a colouring medium is metallic watercolours. They'd be ok as an accent or highlight but not as a complete colouring medium. 

"Choose something fun"


"Beware of dog"


"Live gently"


"Bright side"


"This very moment"