Hi everyone. This month we are playing with the Faux Cyanotype Technique. This is a photography technique that has been around for a long time. Many wonderful art/photography techniques have been adapted for card making.
There are two easy ways to do this as a card technique and we have included videos of both below. The 1st technique, gives a very similar look to the photographic art form. The 2nd technique is a version of the artform, also very beautiful.
Videos:
1) Faux Cyanotype Technique by Tracy Evans (37:16) - just watch the first 9 min. If you have a platform and can repeat stamp images - then you won't need to paint over top. She does add different techniques on top and worth watching if you have time. Or fast forward to almost the end of the video to see the finished card - worth it!
2) Faux Cyanotypes with Masking by Understand Blue - Lydia Fieldler - (7:27)
Supplies: (for both Techniques)
- Smooth card stock or Mixed Media paper
- Sponge brushes
- Distress ink or DOX inks in deep blue (Blueprint Sketch used in video)
- Masking tape or masking sheets ... or temporary tape to create masking
- Shape die (whatever works with your image)
- Solid Stamp image
- White Pigment ink (only for Technique #1)
- Sentiment stamp
Technique Instructions: (Technique #1)
- Make background using very saturated ink:
- Mask frame on card front and then sponge the aperature with blue ink , making sure the ink colour is very saturated and the colour is deep (or try any other colour of ink you like --- just remember you are only using one colour for the sponged background, along with White ink for the image) ... OR ...
- use your ink pad direct to paper for a strong colour for the background
- If using mask, leave in place
- Stamp your image with White Pigment ink. Important: wipe stamp clean after every stamping of white ink (the stamp may pick up some of the background colour and you don't want to contaminate your white ink pad). If using stamping platform, repeat your stamping until image is bold and a good contrast to the sponged areas.
- Remove mask.
- Stamp sentiment and finish card
Technique Instructions: (Technique #2)
- Die-cut aperture from masking sheet ... or ... Mask card stock using temporary tape, leaving an aperture (vary shapes for variety)
- Lightly sponge the aperture with blue ink (or try any other colour of ink you like --- just remember you are only using one colour for both sponged background and image).
- Add layers to create the depth of colour you want for the background (light is best so the image pops)
- Leave masks in place and stamp your image overtop of aperture in the same colour used to sponge the background. If using stamping platform, repeat your stamping until image is bold and a good contrast to the sponged areas.
- Remove masks
- Stamp sentiment and finish card
Alternatives: (both versions)
- Try doing this technique (either version) with different colours of ink --- just remember you are only using one colour of ink (plus white ink for Technique #1)
These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.
Faux Cyanotype Card Samples
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We'll be back on the 28th of March
with another technique and sample cards.
See you then!
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