Use of distress inks on a wide variety of projects is highly addictive. There are a lot of different inks to choose from based on an artist's taste and project needs.
What are distress inks used for? This question has popped up more than once in the past two weeks, so let's get to work picking apart this medium. Here are some basic ideas for aging:
- Use of distress inks in art journals: embellishing the edges of art journal pages is a great way to give pages that shabby look that's so appealing to a lot of mixed media artists. There's also the option of adding distress ink to the edges of paper elements being affixed directly to the art journal pages. This can be achieved using a distress inkpad and rubbing it directly on the edges of the embellishment or the page. This can also be achieved by using a sponge.
- Use of distress inks in mixed-media paintings: a mixed-media painting with an aged or antique look can be achieved by adding distress ink to the edges of every embellishment added to the painting. This is similar to how the look would be achieved for art journal pages. Be sure to allow the elements to dry completely before adding them to the painting; otherwise the ink will streak when manipulated by paint or glaze.
- Use of distress inks in greeting card creation: embellish the front of the card with papers featuring a mail or letter-writing theme. Use an inkpad or a sponge to lightly distress the edges of each paper element before adding them to the front of the card. Add clip art or scrapbook elements featuring flowers or text, but don't add the ink to the edges. This look mixes the old and the new look very well and will create a beautiful card.
- Use of distress inks in altered books: the same basic ideas can be used when distressing pages in an altered book project as with art journals. Add distress ink that's been slightly diluted with water using a brush or a sponge. Apply the distress ink in light layers so the pages don't wave or curl too much, allowing each layer to dry completely between each application. When dry, this provides the perfect prepared surface for an aged or urban colored page presentation.
In addition to using distress inks in scrapbook layouts, artists have been using these inks in a wide variety of projects. Not only do they add depth to the pieces of mixed media art they're creating, they also add dimension and an attractive aged look.
The copyright of the article Use of Distress Inks in Mixed Media Arts is owned by Jenn Greenleaf. Permission to republish Use of Distress Inks in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
