Ombré Background with Gel Medium and Spray Ink

A project from our live show BRAND SHOWCASE - ISOBEL CRAFT - Join us for this much loved event where the SMALL brands get to shout LOUDEST - Broadcast 20TH JAN 23 · 20/01/2023 · watch it from 17:30

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Create a beautiful ombré background featuring teapots and teacups in soft blues and golds. This mixed media technique combines distress inks, gel medium, and spray inks to produce a vintage, layered effect with subtle colour transitions. The wiping-back method reveals the blended colours beneath, perfect for adding depth and interest to your papercraft projects.

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Step by step

1. 

   Apply Distress Ink in Peacock Feathers, Faded Jeans and Vintage Photo across your white embossed cardstock. Start with the paler blue (Faded Jeans) on the right side, blending the colours to create an ombré effect.

   ▶ watch this step (20:00)
2. 

   Apply Faded Jeans Distress Ink over the right-hand side of the embossed panel, overlapping with the Peacock Feathers to create a blended ombré effect.

   ▶ watch this step (20:15)
3. 

   Apply vintage photo or brown Distress Ink over the blue areas to create the final darker layer of the ombré effect. Blend the ink to complete the smooth colour transition from light to dark.

   ▶ watch this step (20:30)
4. 

   Apply Pentel heavy gel medium (glossy) over the dried ink using a stencil. Work the gel medium through the stencil pattern to lock in the colours beneath.

   ▶ watch this step (22:00)
5. 

   Once the gel medium is completely dry, spray your chosen Distress Oxide ink colour over the entire piece, covering both the stencilled design and the purple border.

   ▶ watch this step (23:00)
6. 

   Use a damp cloth to gently rub off the sprayed ink from the raised stencil areas, revealing the coloured ombré background beneath. Work carefully to remove the ink only from the teapot and teacup images whilst leaving the background intact.

   ▶ watch this step (24:30)
7. 

   Allow the background to dry completely. Once dry, the gel medium and spray inks will have merged together to create a beautiful blended ombré effect with the stencilled tea party motifs visible throughout.

   ▶ watch this step (25:00)

Tips from the show

• Gel medium dries clear, allowing you to lock in your colours before adding spray ink on top.
• You can use clear or sparkly paste alternatives if you prefer a different finish.
• Don't be afraid to blend distress inks together – they work beautifully when layered.

More from this show

• Alice in Wonderland Journaling Page with Mixed Stamps
• Steampunk Brusho Ink Background Card
• Steampunk Distress Ink Layered Background
• Sheep Stencil Layering Card with Sentiments

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly