Week 5

Emboss-Resist

BY BERNIE BERLIN | from Artist Trading Card Workshop

illustration

Having fun with embossing powder and an iron can create unexpected depth and an unusual effect. This process is similar to that of using masking fluid with watercolor, though the finished product is often a bit more distressed looking. This week, take the time to experiment with something new — new supplies, unusual tools or unexpected colors — to really pump up your art!

Materials

illustration 2½″ × 3½″ card (6cm × 9cm)

illustration brush

illustration acrylic paint

illustration stamp

illustration clear embossing pad

illustration clear embossing powder

illustration heat gun

illustration scrap paper or cardstock

illustration iron

illustration

1. Coat a card with paint

Cover a card with a layer of acrylic paint. This will be the color that will show through the resist. Add another color if you wish.

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2. Stamp and add the powder

After the card is dry, stamp an image over the paint using a clear embossing pad. Sprinkle on enough clear embossing powder to cover the card and tap off the excess.

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3. Drybrush a contrasting color

Melt the powder using a heat gun. Drybrush over the embossed card with a contrasting acrylic color. Let dry.

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4. Apply a hot iron

Place a scrap of paper over the painted card (be sure you're working on a heat-resistant surface) and apply a hot iron over the paper using a good amount of pressure.

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5. Peel off the scrap paper

While it's still warm, peel off the scrap paper. You'll see some of the paint is removed. This is good! Go over the card again with the iron, using a clean area of the scrap paper. You can repeat this process again to create more depth, or simply collage onto the card now, as it is.